Obituary: Colin Dall

Colin Dall, chairman of Esher District Local History Society.

Colin Dall

30th January 1924 - 9th October 2009

Colin Dall was born in Woking and became in his later years a Vice-President, Chairman and Newsletter Editor of the Society.

Colin gave us an insight into his early days when he wrote 2 articles for the Winter 2001 and Spring 2002 newsletters entitled "A Surrey Boyhood". He described living in Pyrford and going to Woking Grammar School, cycling both ways in all weathers. He continued, that when going to stately homes or museums today he is taken aback by "outdated objects" being displayed which were a norm of his childhood, mangles, cane carpet beaters, meat safes and stone hot water bottles. He also saw what must have been one or two of the last horse-drawn barges along the Wey, witnessing the complicated manoeuvre when the patient, handsome horses came to a bridge.

Until his voice broke he sang in the Evening Choir at the old Pyrford Church. He remembered walking with his father to West Byfleet Station on the evening of 3 September 1939 at the outbreak of war and seeing trains arrive blacked out showing only a few bluish lights. He added that the war curtailed bike rides somewhat, as they often ran into camps of soldiers, mainly Canadians. His own contribution to the downfall of Hitler before he joined the Army later, was to enlist as a member of the Home Guard. He chose the HG rather than the Air Training Corps at school because the ATC would have seemed just another school activity, whereas as a Home Guardsman he was given the whole range of adult duties. He finished the pair of articles by stating that the rosy veil of memory made this a glorious boyhood.

Colin's studies were interrupted by the war and he served in Burma in the later part. He contracted TB and was invalided back to England. After convalescence he finished his studies and gained a first class degree in French. He had wanted to go into law as a barrister or solicitor but had lost time so went into the Civil Service and rose to become a Court Administrator in the Lord Chancellors Department. In his own time he qualified as a barrister but did not practise. He became a Magistrate and was Chairman of the Magistrates at Kingston for many years. He was brilliant with words and generous to a fault with a dry, witty sense of humour.

His son Jonathan speaking at the funeral on 22nd October 2009 said that he was a "Guardian reader".....with all the connotations that that statement has. It was the start of many conversations with his father and he reminded us that he was kind, concerned for others, caring, broad-minded intelligent and continued to grow and develop.

He had performed music as a member of Gemini opera and in the opera chorus he was usually asked to play specific roles such as the jolly inn keeper or village elder. His favourite musical memory of him was when dressed as a cardinal he bestowed blessings to the congregation!.

One of many personal memories of Colin is when unsure of the location of a property on an old unused postcard of Telegraph Lane, he identified it immediately. Then with meticulous attention to detail he recorded on the back in pencil the location and date of demolition of the property. He was a rock solid, dependable and thoughtful man who had done so much excellent work for the Society.