Eric Brown

We were very sad to learn to the death of Eric Brown, our oldest Peterhouse resident.  Eric died peacefully in his sleep on 17th February 2008 at the age of 102.

During his working life, Eric spent many years with the Daily Mail.  After the war, he decided that he wanted to travel but could not get an overseas posting with the paper.  Undeterred, Eric decided that he would go with his wife to open a bookshop in Rhodesia.

It was difficult to get a passage but they eventually heard of a ship leaving Marseille and paid £450 for a double cabin - but soon after, heard that the service had been withdrawn. There was only a short reprise for Mrs Brown, however, because Eric managed to get their money back and was still hell-bent on going to Africa! Many enquiries later, it was arranged that they would travel by plane.

They started out by going to a hotel above Lyons Corner House at Marble Arch - where they waited and waited and were eventually put up over night.  The next morning they were told they would be departing from Hampshire.  So, after a breakfast of eggs and bacon, they set off in a little Cessna - which took 4 days to get them to Africa.

Once there, Eric initially worked as a farm assistant but ended up taking over the farm next door.  When asked if he had any previous farming experience (never mind in Africa!), he replied no - it was 'just common sense'.

Eric moved to Peterhouse in June of 1990, living in his own apartment until 2004 when he moved into the East Wing, which enabled him to receive more specialist nursing care. 

What an adventurer!  Eric will be sadly missed.  Our condolences go to his friends and family.

 

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