Duncan Brown
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TO Duncan Brown, who passed away at the age of 87 last month, his career in local government was more than just a job.
He believed in service to your community and it was something he upheld to the highest standards.
Born in Glasgow, Duncan moved with his family to Derby when he was 14, after his father had taken a job with the railways.
After leaving school, Duncan trained as a radio operator with Marconi and then served with the Merchant Navy during the Second World War, including aboard the highly dangerous Atlantic convoys.
After the war ended and he returned home, he took classes at night school, qualifying as an accountant, and he subsequently worked as a local government employee in Mansfield, Derby and Blyth.
It was in 1969 that he came to the Borders, becoming Burgh Chamberlain.
On the reorganisation of local government in 1975, Duncan was appointed director of finance for the new Ettrick and Lauderdale District Council.
He retired in 1988, but continued to be very active in the town he had grown to love so much.
A stalwart of the local Rotary club, where he had been a member for 43 years and held a coveted Paul Harris Fellowship – he received a three sapphires award to add to this 18 months ago – Duncan was also an honorary vice-president of Gala Rugby Club, where he had served as treasurer.
A life member of Galashiels Burns Club, he was also an elder at St John’s Church. Duncan was involved with both Abbotsford and Tweedbank bowling clubs.
Former chairman of Ettrick and Lauderdale District Council, Drew Tulley, who worked closely over many years with Mr Brown, said his former colleague and friend had been a great servant of Galashiels.
“Duncan was an outstanding finance officer who could be counted on 24 hours a day for wise advice and counsel,” he said.
Mr Brown is survived by his wife, Edith, sons Malcolm, Donald and Andrew and his grandchildren.
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Weather for Galashiels
Wednesday 22 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 3 C to 13 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 5 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 25 mph
Wind direction: North west
