EULOGY to NORMAN AYLMER

My Father Norman Noel Aylmer was born on Christmas Day and he died on Good Friday! Not the first person to do that I think. Is that just a coincidence?

I an sorry if you find this blog interminable but to complete the story of my father, I now include the:


EULOGY to NORMAN AYLMER

The first of many unusual things about Norman is his middle name, Noel. He acquired this by being born on Christmas Day in 1921, 5th in the batting order of the 6 children in the Aylmer household. The first that his oldest sister Win, then 12 years old, knew about it all was when she found herself suddenly cooking the Christmas Dinner at her father’s peremptory command! His older brother and sisters recognised in Norman from the outset the endearing rascal that reflected his energy, resourcefulness and his imaginative approach to rules, regulations and authority. Frequently his clothes would have to be sewn up, torn during some clandestine or hazardous escapade, before the parents could discover the mishap. We’ve all been there, I think, though not nearly as frequently as Norman!
During Norman’s childhood the family lived close to Epping Forest, which Norman explored at every available opportunity with his brother, sisters and friends. It was undoubtedly here that he developed the love of outdoor pursuits which characterised and enriched his private and professional life throughout the subsequent eight decades. The tiddlers and minnows brought home in jam jars from the ponds of Epping Forest are the precursors of the fine trout which he was known for catching, such as those which he cooked on the bank of a lake for Fran and Kate and the huge and majestic salmon which he caught especially for Charlotte’s christening.

At the beginning of the war as a Rover Scout Norman spent many evenings filling sandbags at the local Whipps Cross Hospital, often staying all night helping the hard-pressed hospital staff with a variety of jobs. At this time he wrote some long, graphically detailed letters to his sister Ida, who at the time had been evacuated to Buxton, chronicling in vivid detail his eye-witness account of the devastation and horrific damage caused by the Blitz and its effect on the lives of the people in London. Copies of these letters are now held at the Imperial War Museum for study and research.

Although Norman left school with no formal qualifications his ambition was to become an Engineer. As a young boy he spent virtually all of his pocket money on Meccano – that wonderfully versatile and creative construction kit which, sadly, for the present generation has been superseded by mindless computer games! By building intricate working models from his own ideas he showed the real flair for design and construction which served him so spectacularly well in his chosen career. Whilst raising a young family and working for a London-based Petroleum Company as a design draughtsman he also studied at evening classes to obtain the qualifications necessary to become a Chartered Mechanical Engineer. As Gillian observes, he must indeed have been very determined and focused to study, work and look after his family all at the same time. Nonetheless he was always ready to do things with and for his children, finding time for memorable days out and holidays – and to read to them in the evenings.

Having achieved his professional qualifications, Norman embarked on a full and colourful career in engineering. He started in Royal Ordnance Factories, developing ways to manufacture explosives more safely and efficiently. He was then head-hunted by a large British Petro-Chemical Company which made him responsible for the design and installation of massive oil pipe lines extending hundreds of miles through geologically diverse and politically challenging and unstable countries including Russia, the East European Communist States and – his favourite for his famously engaging reminiscences – Algeria. He worked his way through the company, becoming their Engineering Director. As such he was directly responsible for the Special Projects Division, which was concerned with research and development in fields including Coast and River Erosion, Ship Testing Tanks, Conventional Power and Atomic Energy. From recent news bulletins on my car radio it sounds as if the present government could use Norman’s expertise and experience right now!

His versatility and enterprise at work were mirrored by his activities at home. He trod the path from inspiration to perspiration most conspicuously at Beacon View. He would plan improvements to the house and then carry out all the necessary work, covering every facet of the various skilled trades himself from plumbing to wiring to roofing – usually ignoring en route any tiresomely restrictive or inconvenient regulations or constraints imposed by the authorities! He was an expert at . . . well, everything! He would proudly show visitors his beloved woodland coppice – at this time of year it would be a blaze of colour from carpets of bluebells and wild daffodils. While most of us would have just walked past a fallen branch without a second glance Norman would see a potential chess set, piece of kitchen furniture – or, at the very least, fuel for the fire - and his guests would get used to the idea that they had to earn their (excellent!) dinner by hauling logs up the hill to the house.

Ian recalls from back in his early childhood how going to see Norman was a treat and something really special for him and his mother Win. Norman could do so many things: fix problems, offer advice, and give a glimpse of what you could make of life. He was like a family celebrity.

When offshore oil exploration really took off in the ‘70’s Norman, with great courage and foresight, started his own business – Aylmer Offshore Ltd – with very smart offices in London and Aberdeen. Under his energetic direction the business became very successful – so much so that he was bought out by a major British company shortly before he retired. Even then he undertook site management for a number of Milk Marketing Board projects, supposedly on a part-time basis but rapidly and typically becoming fully involved.

Norman exemplified - and excelled at - a truly remarkable range of talents – summarised succinctly and superbly on the Order of Service. He was an exceptionally practical and capable person; his DIY projects are legendary, and he would take on single-handedly tasks which even the most experienced and competent professional builders would think twice about. Fine examples of his work are to be found in every house and garden that he has owned and in many others that he took an interest in. Those who have had the good fortune to taste his Beacon View chicken and his Lower Upcott vegetables (properly cooked - NOT radiated with microwaves) and complemented by a glass of fine red wine and engaging stories and reminiscences will testify to his agricultural, horticultural and culinary expertise. Above all, though, he had a true gift for, and love of, working with wood. He would create and adapt the design of objects large and small, decorative and functional, combining the artistic vision which was so evident in his brother William with his own practical capabilities. At Lower Upcott the house and garden were a constant delight. The sense was not just of the house in itself, but of how he and Gwen had made it what it was and how they used and enjoyed it to the full. He was like a little boy still, proudly showing you what you could do with a new Swiss Army penknife - and there were always plans and projects in hand to realise more of its potential for the future. His sense of pleasure in what he and Gwen had constructed there gave one a sense of harmony achieved through restlessness and constant activity.

Nothing was considered impossible by Norman. Whatever the problem, he would always work out a solution. Richard, writing from Canada, says;
‘I cannot begin to tell you how many times his words and his ways have influenced my decisions and approach to life. He was one of the greatest men I have had the honour to know’.

This Chapel is today full of people who, as friends or members of his family, have been the beneficiaries of Norman’s energy, expertise, counsel, advice, kindness, resourcefulness and outstanding and memorable hospitality. He was a wonderfully kind, entertaining and generous person; we are diminished by his passing.
May we honour his memory and may he rest in peace.

Every member of the family is most grateful to Colin Burgess, (Son of Norman's sister Ida) for putting Norman's Eulogy together and for delivering it so eloquently at Norman's funeral. Thank you Colin. Easter 2006