11/01/2026
Norwich, GB 4 C
Researching and reporting on the lives of some really interesting people (RIP)

TED CORDERY, aged 96

Serving in the Royal Navy during the war, he was on the arctic convoys before being present at D-Day. In later life he stood up to a notorious media mogul.

CHARLOTTE ‘BETTY’ WEBB, aged 101

After joining the army during the war, she became a codebreaker working at Bletchley Park, before being seconded to the USA and being employed at the Pentagon.

PATRICIA CROWTHER, aged 97

An actress who discovered spirituality and became a High Priestess of Wicca – a white witch. She was a broadcaster – and used her powers for healing and good.

GODFREY FOWLER, aged 90

A university lecturer and GP, who treated Oxford’s elite, he was a medical research pioneer, but eventually he suffered a terrible personal tragedy.

DEREK ROSE, aged 93

His father invented the pyjamas as we know them. He took over the family firm, selling luxury night ware to the rich and famous, being loved by his customers.

ANNE PONSONBY, aged 98

After volunteering for the forces in the war, she was recruited by the SOE, playing a major role co-ordinating clandestine operations in occupied Europe.

JOHN DAVID GLADWIN, aged 77

An accomplished musician who performed in rock bands before becoming more ethereal. He played a notable set at Glastonbury before retiring for a quieter life.

PETE WILKINSON, aged 78

Founder of Greenpeace, he was an environmentalist who protested about the dumping of nuclear waste and the slaughter of animals, and fought to save Antarctica.

JUDY PERCIVAL, aged 100

A dancer whose husband went to war, so she set off to the jungles of Asia to find him. Later on, she was the wife of an MP and friend to the Prime Minister.

CHRIS ‘SWAMPY’ GARRETT, aged 40

From the Isle of Man he volunteered in conflict zones, eventually becoming a non-combative bomb disposal expert in war torn Ukraine, costing him his life.