I knew Gordon quite simply because he was a friend of my father. They were not only acquainted through their strong sense of faith at Horfield Baptist Church in Bristol, but also as classmates at Cotham Grammar School in the late 1930s. I loved the grainy black and white class photo my father used to possess, where I could always spot the two of them: Gordon (with a lot fewer inches in height) and John (with a lot more hair on his head). Gordon was always very good to me when I too was a resident of BR3, somehow wangling me into BP's tennis club in Sydenham, when my only true association with the company was the occasional use of a petrol pump. But what I remember most is his true engagement as a human being: always interested in my family, knowledgeable about sport, keen to hear any news from mutual contacts, never short of a personal message on his Christmas cards, and even crossing his fingers for a Rovers' victory when my beloved team needed a win. In short, a wonderful, intelligent, kind and thoughtful man on so many fronts. I am delighted he was able to continue his passion for bowls to the very end, and somehow still envisage him rolling a jack down the middle of some celestial patch of green, whilst (of course) politely enquiring after the welfare of his opponents .....

Gordon was truly a "gentle giant". When I joined the Church, he was one of the first to welcome me. His love of Europe united us and we shared many a pleasant conversation on the subject. He will be sorely missed. May his soul rest in eternal peace.

Gordon was a good neighbour . He will be sorely missed . A true gentleman . Always smiling .