Bob's Memorial Service (celebration of his life) is on Wednesday 11th March
2009 at 12:30 pm at the United Reformed Church, Burnham on Crouch. After
the service, all are welcome at Burnham Sailing Club for light refreshments
BOB COLE 1913 - 2009
BobCole, who has died aged 95, was one of Burnham’s best loved and
familiar characters. He is probably best known for his time as a
partner in the waterfront business of Tucker Brown and Co. where he
worked from 1943 until his retirement. During his time at Tucker
Brown’s Bob and his brother and business partner ‘Sonny’ became
established, popular figures on Burnham waterfront known to
generations of locals and visitors alike.
Bob was born in Burnham in 1913, the youngest son of Joe & Ellen
Cole. From an early age he developed a love of the river and boats
and spent much of his childhood playing in, on and around the water.
Bob’s father ran a yachting outfitter in Station Road and was a
founding partner on the waterfront business of Tucker Brown and Co.
Shortly after leaving school Bob started his first job, oyster
dredging, one of the toughest jobs the river could offer. Bob showed
dedication and by the mid 1930’s he had moved on to take
responsibility for the ‘Fedalma’ one of many yachts moored at
Burnham and owned by a Mr. Scrutton.
Following the outbreak of the Second World War, Bob could be found working as a
civilian with his cousin Paul Tucker on the ‘Cacoona’ which acted
as a pilot boat off and within the River Mersey. He soon decided to
volunteer for the Royal Navy and was posted to the unlikely location
of Lake Bala in Wales. This was not quite what he had in mind and he
requested a transfer. His wish was granted and he was moved to new
duties, primarily the dangerous task of searching for enemy mines off
the British coast with a view to alerting minesweepers of their
location.
Late in the afternoon of 20th
March 1941 while searching for mines off the mouth of the Humber in
an acquisitioned fishing trawler, the vibration from the boat set off
a mine nearby. The boat was destroyed with most hands lost and Bob
along with one or two shipmates clung to wreckage in the freezing
water and waited hopefully for rescue. Fortunately the explosion had
been seen from shore and a rescue boat found the survivors who were
taken ashore to Grimsby. Although he did not realise at the time
Bob’s legs were severely injured and as a consequence, after
spending about 12 months in hospital he was discharged from the
service.
Bob returned to Burnham and after spending some time in a wheelchair,
gradually regained mobility. His father had established the
waterfront business of Tucker Brown & Company with partners Mr
Bigmore, Mr. Brown and initially Mr. Tucker, prior to the First World
War. Bob joined the company to supervise war work and at the end of
the war became a partner, when he was joined in the business by his
elder brother ‘Sonny’. Sadly their father died suddenly in 1946
and shortly after Mr. Bigmore and Mr Brown had retired.
During the fifties, sixties and seventies Tucker Brown enjoyed great success
as a result of the recreational sailing boom making 14 and 16
footers, Stellas and larger yachts, and undertaking associated work
relating to moorings, outfitting and maintenance. The business was
sold as a going concern and at the age of 67 Bob started a long and
happy retirement.
It was during the post war period that Bob began to find more time for
recreational activities and interests. He was a founder member of
Burnham Sailing Club (1930) and owned and raced several racing
dinghies named ‘Vindex’, only retiring from racing at the age of
80! He was also an active supporter of London Hospitals Sailing Club.
He took great interest in sport, particularly football and athletics,
both at the national and local level. He actively supported Burnham
Ramblers, in recent years being the President of the club.
He was a keen supporter of Tottenham Hotspur from the late 1950’s up
until his death holding a season ticket and regularly attending games
until seeing his last match about 8 years’ ago.
In 1948 Bob attended London Olympic Games and followed this by going to
the 1952 Games in Helsinki, Melbourne in 1956, Rome in 1960, Tokyo
1964, Mexico City 1968 and Munich in 1972, on many occasions
accompanied by Bert Hawes and then on his own to Montreal in 1976,
Moscow in 1980, Los Angeles in 1984 and finally, after missing the
Seoul games, the Barcelona Olympics in 1992. He also attended many
European and Commonwealth Games and could draw on a wealth of
wonderful sporting memories. In addition he travelled widely,
visiting Australia a number of times, Africa and South America to
name a few of his holiday destinations.
During his long and happy retirement Bob used his great organisational
abilities to effect by turning his attention to charity work,
initially through the Rotary Club. Through his and others’ efforts
funds were raised for many charities, in particular Woodlands Special
School in Chelmsford (now Columbus School and College) and the
Jubilee Sailing Trust. He was an active supporter of Burnham
Historical Society and Burnham Museum which appropriately, is
established in Tucker Brown’s original premises on the waterfront.
He was also a founder member of the Burnham Probus Group and a
long-time member and supporter of the British Legion His active
involvement in all his charity work and society and club membership
continued until the last months of his life.
It was during his retirement that Bob found more time for recreational
sailing on his Sadler 29 named ‘Sparrows Nest’ after the wartime
naval code name for Lowestoft where he had been stationed at one
time. He enjoyed many enjoyable trips with friends and relatives
along the east coast along with annual cross channel sailings to
explore the canals of the Netherlands. He was also a regular
contestant during Burnham Week.
Bob was a great family man, although he never married, he always held a
strong bond with his five siblings – Norah, ‘Sonny’, Mary,
Daphne and his younger and only surviving sister, Jan and their
children and grandchildren. He never forgot a family birthday or
those of his Godchildren. During the last years of his life he never
seemed more content and happy than when surrounded by his family,
right up until last Christmas.
Bob suffered for the rest of his life as a result of his wartime injuries
facing several operations, discomfort and pain. He never complained,
expressed bitterness, or let his disabilities limit him. He took a
genuine interest in everybody with whom he came into contact and his
generous and cheerful nature will be missed by many. It seems that
Burnham will never quite be the same without him.
