The Wychwood June 2011 www.thewychwood.co.uk 37 David K.M. Innes-Wilson 1941-2011 David was born in 1941 in Peshawar in India, now Pakistan, where his father was serving with the Royal Engineers. He returned to the U.K. with his mother when he was six to begin his schooling, his father remaining behind as Surveyor General of Pakistan during Partition. He was educated at Marlborough College and recently enjoyed a fiftieth year reunion with the boys in his old house at school. He went on to study Classics at St. Andrew’s University then followed the family tradition by joining the King’s Own Scottish Borderers, with whom an ancestor had fought at the famous battle of Minden in 1759. Minden was one of his given names and indeed he was always known as Minden in his regiment. In 1969 he married Carolyn whom he met whilst serving in Germany, where she was then teaching. Army life suited David well and his various postings took him around the world as well as a number of years spent in Scotland. On leaving the Army he joined a London-based charity, U.K.Skills, dedicated to helping young people in trades and industries to develop their skills through competitions held world-wide, called the Skills Olympics. Settling in Shipton in 1992 David was keen to involve himself in local activities. He was a Local History Society committee member, worked for the Officers’ Association and was West Oxfordshire representative of Crimestoppers. In 2004 he became Treasurer of St. Mary’s in Shipton and Benefice Treasurer, working throughout his long illness. David enjoyed village life and supported many fund-raising events; at the Shipton village fete he was usually to be found helping to man the bookstall. Both times he was able to travel to Lords to watch Shipton C.C. play in the Village Cricket finals. He played golf regularly and was a member of the Wychwood Golf Club. He also read avidly and always had a crossword to solve. He and Carolyn were happily married for forty-one years and the family gathered together to celebrate his seventieth birthday. Many people wrote to Carolyn after his death mentioning his unfailing courtesy, kindness and wry sense of humour. He bore his illness with courage and quiet dignity, an old-fashioned true gentleman. He will be greatly missed by Carolyn, son Christopher, daughter Elizabeth and his two grandsons and also by his many friends. Written by Carolyn Innes-Wilson