G3ULJ Brian Croker

Brian was a founder member of BARC and Bristol RSGB Group Secretary from 1965-74. Below is an obituary from the Bristol Group RSGB newsletter of August 1986, by Chas. Watkins.

OBITUARY - BRIAN CROKER G3ULJ

Brian on a DXpedition to Cerne Abbas.

Brian Croker grew up at Bridgwater and worked for the local gas company until his Army service during World War 2, when after initial training be was directed into the Royal Corps of Signals and became a member of the Mobile British Forces Network transmitting station which provided the radio service for the advances through Italy and Germany.

After demobilisation and following nationalisation of the industry, he worked on gas communications in Bristol at the inception of mobile radio, showing the knowledge and flair which resulted in his being entrusted with organising the training section of South West Gas.

Brian approached both his work and hobby with the same degree of enthusiasm and as a founder member and past Chairman of the Bristol Amateur Radio Club he obtained his call sign in 1965 and, when the Bristol R.S.G.B. Group almost floundered about then and was revived by G2FYT, he took on the task of Group Secretary and for the next nine years organised not only all meetings, with a constantly increasing attendance, but built on the foundation laid by earlier members in being responsible for the ever increasing success of Longleat Rallies.

His amateur radio interests ranged from 1.8 Mc/s to 70cms, fixed and /M, and until his sight failed, RTTY and SSTV. Few knew the warmth of his underlying kindness, and his infectious good humour was unfailing even during the final part of his illness. Brian's last transmission was on 26th July from his hospital bed and he died peacefully on 31st July, aged 62.

Charlie Watkins G3TTZ