RALPH EHRMANN, aged 97
From being an RAF navigator, he rose to be Chairman of the toy company Airfix, using his experience to design models – and transformed the British toy market.
GRAHAM NEWBOULD, aged 66
The Queen’s personal chef who divulged her food likes and dislikes, and who also worked for Prince Charles and Princess Diana.
DAVID KIRKE, aged 78
He reacted to tragedy with great risk. He invented bungee jumping and microlighting and competed in extreme and dangerous sports, always facing great dangers.
DAVE WINTOUR, aged 77
A session musician who appeared on Top of the Pops, with many famous artists and on numerous records, he eventually became a member of the west country band The Wurzels.
LORNA COCKAYNE, aged 97
Recruited to Bletchley Park during the war she became one of the first ever computer operators – and read Hitler’s messages.
MARK RAFFLES, aged 100
From ARP warden to ENSA magician, he entertained troops in WW2. He then became a TV and variety star and was the world’s oldest active magician.
IAN HAMILTON KC, aged 97
Liberation or theft? He committed one of the most scandalous ‘crimes’ of the 1950s, but it didn’t stop him going on to become a barrister.
TOM KAREN, aged 96
After escaping the Nazis as a boy, he grew up to be the greatest modern designer of our times – toys, bikes, cars, caravans, artwork. You name it, he made it.
NUTMEG, aged 75
After working in a university she took up crossword setting after retirement and became a regular in four publications, becoming a favourite in the world of puzzling.
WEE WILLIE HARRIS, age 90
Britain’s first rock and roller. Diminutive with bright pink hair and an outrageous stage show – but he never had a hit. His backing singer became a major star.
JEAN ARGLES, aged 97
She worked as an SOE operative, running agents throughout the war and deciphering codes, as her sister worked with Bletchley Park and her father was in a POW camp.
VERA SELBY, aged 93
A lecturer in art and textiles she became world snooker champion, overcoming immense prejudice. She was also a witness in a snooker murder.
IRENE OWENS, aged 102
She found religion at university and joined the Oxford Group. After spending her war working for the ARP, she was proactive in supplying aid to the newly independent Zimbabwe.
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