George F. Crabb
Our long serving and honorary life member, and several times past-President died on 17 January, 2000 at the age of 87. George was an extraordinary collector for the depth and breadth of his interests, and he built up many fine studies. It almost become a yearly custom to give George an afternoon to himself when he would always amaze us with outstanding items that were both rare and unique. He was active to the end with our Christmas card show where he produced the early and rare 1st card of 1843.
His military interest were widespread and always enlivened with line engraved pictures from the London Illustrated News, almost his trademark, particularly from his favourite of Hitler's Germany. He will always be remembered for his contribution to Kennedy & Crabb, the Postal History of WW!, an indispensable work. His other interests included Channel Islands, Isle of Wight, early Newspapers and Tristan de Cunha on which he wrote two books.
His local society, Epson & Ewell, could always count on a display, he worked for a local engineering firm engaged in bridge building and in his retirement became their archivist, uncovering their involvement in the construction of the Mulberry artificial harbours used at the D-Day landings at Normandy in 1944.
J.A. Daynes