(George) Robert Armistead – PrepA, MdA 47-56

Submitted by Anthony Armistead

Robert was the first son of William (Bill) Armistead, former Master of the Royal Mathematical School and of his wife Joan Archer, a nurse at the sicker before WW2. He was born in King Edward Road and moved to The Avenue in 1946. His early life was thereafter closely linked to CH.

Bill often played the piano in late evenings, helping to foster Robert’s love of music; Schubert, Beethoven, Chopin were favourites; also, popular songs from the shows.

The railway behind the house was a convenient secondary target for enemy planes returning to France. Near “donkey” bridge, several bomb craters later became ponds, providing homes for sticklebacks, newts, voles and other aquatic creatures. The Armistead’s bomb “shelter” was a narrow space under the stairs until the “all clear” sounded. Bill did air warden duties and Joan distributed Ministry of Food orange juice to local families. A V.1 “doodlebug” fell half a mile away causing considerable damage to the sicker isolation block, but with no injuries. It was often blamed for plaster cracks in nearby houses.

Brother Anthony arrived in 1941 followed by Nicholas in 1946 when the family moved to The Avenue. CH became truly both home and school for the boys who were steeped in its characters and traditions. It was inevitably a strong influence and a fine location from which to immerse themselves in the rich Sussex countryside; walking, cycling and picnics. Nearby Sharpenhurst hill gave them an all-round Weald panorama. During school holidays, St Nicholas, Itchingfield was of particular significance and an important venue for the family and is where Bill and Joan now lie in the churchyard.

Early in life, Robert showed great musical talent. He always had a good singing voice and was a member of the Chapel choir. He became an accomplished pianist and accompanist. He also took up the oboe; playing over the years in bands, orchestras and chamber groups in the UK and overseas. In the 1960s he sung and toured with the Royal Choral Society. For a time he sung with the Newgate singers conducted by former Housey music director “Corks” Cochrane which rehearsed in the crypt of St.  Paul’s cathedral; sometimes after visiting the Rising Sun, in the shadow of the cathedral.

Robert joined consulting civil engineers Binnies, Deacon and Gourley in 1958. Other than London and a brief spell in Huntingdon, most of Robert’s professional life was overseas: Nigeria, Iraq, Hong Kong and Lesotho and finally back to Hong Kong for his principal role. On his return from Nigeria, he had planned a relaxing steam down the Nile, before seeing Cairo. Sadly, he became unwell on a train from Khartoum to Wadi Halfa and chose a faster route home. On arrival home, he was seriously jaundiced and needed some weeks to recover. In Baghdad he bought a piano which he was forced to unpack and play at a check-point on route to Kirkuk to prove its identity. In 1967 his contract was curtailed by an ugly revolution and he was quickly evacuated bus to Iran, leaving his precious Yamaha behind.

In 1970 Robert and brother Anthony bizarrely met, also in Iran (Abadan), on the steps of a BOAC plane bound for Hong Kong during a refuelling stop, when Robert and Sheila were on their way to start married life in Hong Kong. Their first tour there was interrupted by a contrasting cultural two years diversion to hilly, cool Lesotho, where Robert spectacularly rolled a 4WD vehicle but luckily not too far.

He returned to Hong Kong and would eventually become Managing Director of Binnies, Hong Kong. By 1990, it was his company’s largest overseas operation, providing a range of engineering specialities and multi-discipline projects including new town infrastructure. He progressed the development of a dedicated team of engineers, scientists and administrators ready to face contemporary challenges, including computerisation and a future merger. As a manager, he walked the talk and engaged caringly with his staff. He was a well-respected and popular leader. At management meetings he would achieve consensus with his characteristic aplomb. It’s perhaps a nice tribute that, after two takeovers, his former company is once again called Binnies.

Robert’s rich social life in HK involved a lot of music and, of course Old Blues dinners. It’s also where his son Oliver was born and is now established with his own family. Hence Robert leaves a living presence there, at least for the immediate future.

In 1993 Robert and Sheila settled back in Sussex (Wisborough Green), engaging fully with village life. He retired young to spend more time with his music and gardening, pursuing some of his other undoubted talents, including the creation of his carefully selected arboretum. He was closely involved with the Parish church’s music, playing the organ and helping the choir. He was an active chairman of the parish council for several years where he made a name for himself, engaging with issues and challenges of the day – his “usual aplomb” was evident here too! Robert was charismatic and charming; he leaves many friends and will long be cherished by all who knew him.

Robert died after a nice family lunch at the Bat and Ball in Wisborough. No one can replace him. He will always be a unique inspiration and guide, standing at the family’s side and watching their activities. In the words of Jalal-al-Din Rumi (modified): “You must never think I am missing this world; I’m not leaving but arriving at eternal love”. Sadly, Sheila died within two months of Robert.