My memories of George go back to my earliest childhood, in Trimley St.Mary. Long before his parents retired to live there, George and his sister, Rosamond, were frequent visitors. Being a child of the 2nd World War, with his father away on active service, it often fell to my mother and her sister, to provide child care, helping out their aunt, in difficult times. So a close bond was formed between them.

In the early ’60’s, when I first remember him, he would arrive by train at some unearthly hour and the next morning my sister and I would creep in to the spare bedroom to catch a glimpse of what, to us, seemed a Giant, wrapped up from head to toe, like an Egytian Mummy – we’d never seen anyone in a sleeping bag before! His happy smile soon reassured us.

I particularly remember when he accompanied us to my first live football game, to see Ipswich Town play – even though he professed to being a Watford supporter! It must have been soon after Alf Ramsey left to manage England, as Ipswich were not at their best and Ray Crawford didn’t score, even though we cheered him on!

A year or two later, I was thrilled to see George arrive in a smart green MG open-top sports car, and still recall the excitement of being driven down Felixstowe High Street, the roar of the engine and the wind in our hair!

But perhaps my chief memory is of the wonderful sounds echoing round the house from the music room, when George was seated at my parent’s piano. He must have been practising for a recital or exam, shortly before he went off to study in South Africa. I can still remember some of the more difficult phrases of a Schubert Impromptu and a Liszt study, and the amazing way his huge hands covered the keyboard!

In later years, we met up with George and Jenny, when they kindly put us up for a couple of nights at their house in Geneva. We were a family of 5 by then, with 3 teenage children, on our way back from a European camping tour. George delighted in showing us round the city and all his favourite sights.

While many will remember George for his tremendous achievements in the academic world, it is as a kind, encouraging and enthusiastic family man that I will remember him.