Page 36 - BBHAC Winter 2017-18 Gazette

36 36 Obituary
Continued

Of course he made the big time aged over 90. He taught special
with his celebrated appearance needs and disabled children at
on ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ in Valence School in Westerham
2016. He appeared with winner and was very disappointed to
Richard Jones who performed have to retire from that at age
magic tricks while telling the 65. Words frequently used were
story about Fergus. He men- “remarkable”, “friendship” and
tioned that the appearance of “kindness”. After his wartime
Fergus at the Final of that Show experiences, everything to
kicked off almost as a joke as him in life was a wonder. He
Richard never expected to make touched so many people and
that Final. But when he did, even at his deathbed the tools
Fergus was delighted to fulfill of the Magician’s trade were
a promise made. He had his at his bedside. He also went to
own dressing room which was Japan, accompanied by a Son,
always full of people listening and made his peace with that
to his stories and watching him Nation.
perform his magic. He finally died on 22nd March
As a member of the Magic 2018. He was a widower and
Circle for 81 years, he was their had two children and four
youngest ever member and grandchildren. His memorial
then eventually their oldest. He service was held at Holy Trinity
regularly attended their Monday Church in Hurstpierpoint on
night gatherings even up to last 16th April and attended by
December and received a stand- over 200 people, family, friends
ing ovation on one memorable and admirers. It lasted over 90
occasion from the Magic Circle minutes, including no less than
in 2017. Scott Penrose from the 8 personal tributes and some
Magic Circle performed the excellent music and finished
‘Broken wand’ ceremony where with the ‘Last Post’, delivered
the wand belonging to Fergus by a member of the Household
was broken (you half expect- Cavalry. Blackheath Harriers
ed it to then be miraculously was mentioned in dispatches
repaired!). Scott also pulled out and the many prizes he had
his mobile phone to read some won at Athletics events. Both
of the Facebook messages about his son, Simon, and daughter,
Fergus. The phone immediately Deborah, spoke as did two
burst into flames when opened! granddaughters, the writer of
In his later years he continued his autobiography, a member of
to be active and to break new the Magic Circle and a member
ground. In response hearing a of his Masonic Lodge.
comedian stating that all drivers Mike Martineau (ed. Wilf Orton)
over the age of 70 should be
banned, he passed the Institute
of Advanced Motoring test