Alan attended the Mercury between January 1958 and March 1961. Originally from Aylesbury, he as a Bucks Scholar and at the school was in the 2nd Section of Drake Division and a member of the PT Display Team. According to the school register his intention was to join the RAF but when he failed his eyesight test, he joined the Merchant Navy instead. He remained at sea until the age of 24, when he left to be closer to his family. He often talked to them about his times at Mercury, in particular what a tough place it was for a youngster. Importantly, however, it gave him a real sense of what he wanted for his own family. Living in Okehampton he worked hard, until the age of 70, to provide a fantastic life for them. He is survived by his wife, Sylvia, who he married in 1964 aged just 19 – they celebrated their 56th anniversary this year – and their three children. We extend our condolences to them.