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In Memoriam
Peter Colville, Water Rat number 529, was born in Brighton, made his first stage appearance at the Granada Theatre, Hove, in 1935. In 1946 he appeared in "Black Scandals" at the Finsbury Empire. In 1935 he started the South Coast Light opera Company. After World War 2 he was 'discovered' by George Black Jnr. and worked in "Stars in Battledress". He fed many well known comics until, in 1948, he teamed up with Vic Gordon. He and Vic settled in Australia. He is survived by his wife Wilma and children, Robert & Amanda.
Bob Hope was Water Rat number 772. He was initiated at our Gray's Inn Road headquarters on 27th August 1991. Bob was proposed by Past King Rat Bernard Bresslaw and seconded by Past Musical Rat Pat Dodd. A sad time for us all to lose such a distinguished Water Rat and such a revered entertainer and human being. After his initiation we had a marvellous luncheon in his honour. The laughs flowed thick and fast and he and Dolores said it had been a brilliant day. Our condolences to Bob's family - he will be sadly missed by a world much in need of his spirit and ability to make us laugh.
Past King Rat Keith Simmons
Like the stars may you shine
Be faithful and true
'Til death takes you from us
Or us from you
Bill was born into the famous Butlin Family, his father being Sir Billy Butlin. Young Bill was educated at St Michael’s School, Jersey and later at Gordonstoun Public School. It was during these early years that he developed his love of flying by building model aircraft. Instead of following his father into the Butlin empire, Bill satisfied his passion by paying his own way through the Oxford Air Training School, and graduating with a CAA commercial pilots licence.
He joined the Jersey European Airways in 1984; then in 1988 he transferred to Air Europe, based in Gatwick, so that he could fly jets. When this company went into receivership he had to choose between staying on the mainland and flying jets but not seeing his family for long periods or returning to Jersey and turbo props. His family was more important to him. When he got his Captaincy he was able to fly jets with the JEA, so finally he had the best of both worlds. He was a very active Vice Patron of the Royal International Air Tattoo-Flying School, founded in memory of Sir Douglas Bader, that trains disabled people to fulfil their ambition to fly.
Bill was not only a charming and very modest man but also a charitable person who achieved great things both professionally and as a loving family man. Above all he was always a perfect gentleman, a good friend and a proud Water Rat. His death, from cancer, at such a young age is a great tragedy for his wife, Jane, and children, Oliver, Hugo and Sacha, and all his many friends.
Past King Rat Philip Hindin (Rat 588) was one of Britain's best-known entertainment agents and producers and a noted authority on the world of music hall and variety. Philip was never a performer having started his theatrical career as an office boy for the ventriloquist, Coram.
During the War he served in the Army as a Sergeant Major in India, Malaya and Burma and also organised shows for ENSA.
As an agent he represented, amongst others, Eve Boswell, Terry-Thomas and Binnie Hale and moved into television by buying the rights to many game shows including "What's My Line?", "Twenty Questions" and "Call My Bluff".
He was King Rat in 1970 and also held the office of Treasurer and Preceptor. Philip was also a recipient of our highest honour - the Badge of Merit and Bar.
I am quite sure that none of us will ever forget David Lodge, who was my very dear friend and brother Water Rat. He was also a fine Past King Rat. David was a very good actor and he starred in many films, (over 110), with such stars as Richard Widmark, Sidney Poitier, Peter Sellars, Richard Attenborough and in many comedies with Norman Wisdom.
David had a very full and successful life for many long years, but sadly cancer struck him and as David gradually got worse he ended his days in Denville Hall, a wonderful home for actors. Heaven is the richer for David's presence and we are the poorer, but he has left us with a legacy of love and memories. Do you know that if all the people David had helped in his life were to whisper very softly "thank you", the result would be a deafening roar.
Finally I want to say that the biggest film that David starred in was "Cockle Shell Heroes", and I want to say to my dear friend David - God bless you, we all love you and you will always be our 'Cockle Shell Hero'.
Past King Rat Bert Weedon
Dai was born in Swansea on February 23rd 1928. He became a stalwart of BBC televisions Black and White Minstrel Show in the sixties and seventies. His tribute to Al Jolson established him as Britain's foremost Jolson impressionist and he starred in summer season, pantomime and variety shows in most of the major theatres in this country. He also appeared in two Royal variety performances.
He was initiated into our order on 30th April 1967 being proposed by Tony Mercer and seconded by Albert Stevenson. Dai was Water Rat 653. He passed away, aged seventy five, on November 27th 2003.
Past King Rat Keith Simmons
Vic was born in London in 1911. He made his first stage appearance at the South London Palace in 1931.
He was part of the Radio Revellers a musical act that included Gladys Hay, Albert Potter and Al Fearnhead. At the outbreak of World War II he joined Stan Emeney, Art Read and John Emeney in a vocal act The Four Aces. When the Aces broke up due to national Service Vic played in various straight plays (in the beginning under his real name).
In 1935 he was with the Four Aces in "Anything Goes" at the Palace Theatre and "Between Ourselves" (as Victor Gordon) at the Playhouse Theatre in 1946. According to Who's Who In Variety he also appeared in "Saloon Bar", "I Killed The Count" and "Women Aren't Angels", although I have not found his name in the cast lists.
He was called up in 1942 and demobbed in 1945. He met and teamed up with Peter Colville in 1948 during the summer season at Clacton. They worked as Colville & Gordon. The duo worked as principal artistes in summer seasons and the touring productions of many of George & Alfred Black's West End successes including "Piccadilly Hayride".
Both Vic & Peter moved to Australia where they settled. They both died in 2003.
Secretary to the Trustees, John Adrian
