Malcolm Surman, one of the eight Grenadier Guardsman who carried Sir Winston Churchill’s coffin (Memory Lane, February 23), and I were very good friends.
We were police cadets together and members of Oxford City Swimming Club – he was a very good swimmer.
I was his best man when he and Christine married.
He wanted me to join the Guards with him, but I declined and stayed in the police.
As you reported, he was awarded the British Empire Medal after he carried Churchill’s coffin.
After three years, he left the Guards and rejoined Oxford City Police. There was a photograph of him in police uniform and wearing his medal ribbon in the Oxford Mail.
When he left the police, he became a pub landlord and, until his sad demise, ran The Lamb in Bladon. I enclose a photograph of Malcolm and me taken at the annual police swim gala at the old Temple Cowley baths. You can cut me out of it if you wish!
RICHARD ‘TUBBY’ TYRRELL
Kidlington
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