Framlinghamian 2023-2024 Single page - web 144dpi - Flipbook - Page 307
SOF | NOTICES
RACHEL SMITH (nee Knights) (V93-02)
died in early July from a heart attack
during a blood transfusion at the tragically
young age of 40. This news was passed
on through tennis coach, Trevor Wright.
Rachel was the daughter of Gill Knights
(Hon OF) who taught at the College.
Rachel was Secretary and a very active
member of Framlingham Tennis Club.
BRIAN LESLIE STANNARD (G54-63)
Brian was born in Ipswich in 1944 and
spent all his early years in Framlingham.
taken to a local restaurant by one of the
He went to Brandeston Hall and then
local botanists. He did not know what he
to Framlingham College where he
was eating but, at the end of the meal,
developed his love of languages,
was startled to hear his host declare that it
particularly German. He took French and
was the best armadillo he had ever eaten.
German at A level, although he would
have liked to have taken a science subject
After Africa he then made several trips
as well, but this was not available at the
to South America, in particular Brazil,
time. He obtained a degree in French and
becoming 昀氀uent in Portuguese whilst
German at King’s College London and
there. Again, these trips were not without
then studied for the Kew Diploma at Kew
incident. One of his 昀椀rst trips was to
Gardens. After successfully completing
Venezuela just after the Falklands War.
the course, he joined the gardens on a
Oona had arranged to 昀氀y to Caracas to
permanent basis as a taxonomic botanist,
have a holiday with him at the conclusion
working in the Herbarium. He met his
of the expedition. Oona had not heard
wife-to-be, Oona, while living in Kew and
from him for several months but that
they were married in November 1975.
was no surprise considering the location
of the trip and the lack of available
His work at Kew involved many trips
communication systems at that time. She
around the world. He worked in herbaria
was, however, surprised to be met by sta昀昀
in Russia, Australia, New York, Cameroon
from the British Embassy in Caracas who
and Brazil. His work also involved 昀椀eld
told her they had expected Brian to have
trips to collect, identify and catalogue
already been back, but communication
plant specimens. Initially his work took
was proving di昀케cult. They admitted
him to Malaysia and Africa. On one trip
that they were concerned for his safety.
to Kenya, the group accidentally strayed
A short while later, a car arrived from
across the border into Uganda and were
the embassy, and she was told to pack
intercepted by troops from Idi Amin’s
up and go to the embassy. They had
army. On another to Cameroon he was
received word that Brian and others were
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