I am writing with some very sad news, namely to inform you that he passed away on Sunday 8 May aged 84 following a sudden and unexpected diagnosis of aggressive terminal cancer at the end of February.

Those OCA members who knew my Dad will remember him as a ferociously intelligent, knowledgeable, charming, and entertaining man who loved a discussion and a good debate.Some years back he went on an OCA visit to his alma mater BCS in Simla which he really enjoyed.

Whilst in hospital he asked that we contact “Mr Singh”, who he described as the chair of OCA, with whom he had long been friends, to inform him of his illness. We did not have any OCA contact details but among Dad’s papers we have found the details of the 2016 Annual Reunion, which is where I found your email addresses.

We would be grateful if you would announce his passing through the OCA network.

If any OCA members wish to attend the funeral they would be extremely welcome. It is on Friday 17 June at Eltham Crematorium (south east London) at 3.30pm. I can provide full details in due course. There is apparently a very long wait for crematorium slots in London hence the delay.

We have a request as well: we would like to play the BCS song at the service. It’s available on YouTube but we need permission. Are you able to help?  We need to be granted the permission urgently otherwise we will not be able to list the BCS song in the Order of Service.

Yours gratefully,

Annapurna Waughray