Remembering Robert David Milnes

David was brought up in Winthorpe, Nottinghamshire and his father was John Tetley Milnes (SH.27-32) who died from injuries at the battle of El Alamein in 1942.

After his school days at Malvern, David read Jurisprudence at Exeter College, Oxford. He qualified as a solicitor in 1965 and practised at Robert Barber and Sons in Nottingham. David was also a part-time Chairman of Social Security Tribunals in Nottingham.

As well as being interested in sport, particularly cricket and rugby, David was a keen supporter of the Arts in Nottingham and the Buxton Music Festival. For over 20 years David was treasurer of Farnsfield Local History Society and took an active interest in the village where he lived from 1966 when he married Judith, also a solicitor. After retirement, they joined the local bowls club and twice won the ‘married pairs’ cup.

In 1980 David was a finalist on Radio 4’s ‘Brain of Britain’, as was his son Robert in 2012; so far as the BBC is aware, the only father and son to have achieved this. He also appeared on ‘Mastermind’ in 1986.

David is survived by Judith, his children Robert and Katharine, half-brother John Morgan, and grandsons Andrew and Matthew.

David died on 18th October 2023, aged 83.