Obituaries

Tributes poured in for the very popular former Island Foxhounds huntsman Billy Connors. He was known by all that had the good fortune to meet him as one of nature’s gentlemen and family man. He loved life and was a great friend to so many people and above all he had a story for all...

With the recent passing of James (Maurice James) Barclay a large and probably irreplaceable void has opened in the world of hunting with hounds. I first met James when attending the Revesby show in Lincs shortly after he was appointed Master of the Southwold hounds. At the time he was riding a well put together...

Ireland has lost one of its best-known horsemen, Willie Leahy field master of the Galway Blazers from Aille Cross in Loughrea County Galway. In the nearly 70 years that I knew Willie he never changed, true to his dedication to the Traditional Irish Horse, Connemara Pony and the countryside where he was most content. He...

Professor W. R. Allen, Twink, the founding chairman of Vets for Hunting, which has now developed into VAWM, the Veterinary Association for Wildlife Management, died in hospital in Dubai after a short illness on June 6th. Twink was internationally renowned for his veterinary and scientific expertise, his passion for all things related to mammalian reproduction...

The Man, The Myth, The Legend. Men wanted to be him; the women wanted to be around him. He loved riding horseback, dogs, fast cars, and fat cigars. John Howard Dean III loving husband, father, son, brother, grandfather and Huntsman went to ride in greener pastures on January 16, 2021.  John was the loving husband...

The West Norfolk Foxhounds family has lost a staunch and loyal member in the passing of Mervyn Flood (14th December 1951—9th October 2020).  He started hunting with his great pal, Hugo the flashy chestnut cob bought from Ivan Hill as a keen but green thrusting machine, and thrust he did enjoying the best of Norfolk...

Roy Goddard passed away on 28th April after a short illness. He was born on 23-5-1929 in Reading to Harry and Gladis Goddard. Harry was also in hunt service and Roy became second horseman to the Bramham moor where his father was Huntsman Roy then moved on to be first whipper-in  at the Sinnington in...

Philip will be remembered for many things but none so much as his love of our sport, and his commitment to Hawke’s Bay Hunt. We can only begin to scratch the surface of what his contribution to NZ Hunting has been, but here is a little overview of the quirky, funny, sometimes accident-prone chap, we...

Reliably controversial foxhunting philosopher, Wagnerian, scourge of the left and author of 50 books. When Roger Scruton gave the inaugural lecture of the Royal Institute of Philosophy at Durham University in 1989 he found himself in competition with a choir practising in the next room. As the choir grew louder and louder, his audience began...

Jim’s career in hunt service began in 1937 at the Portman Hunt. These early years were soon to be interrupted by the advent of WWII. On returning after service in the Royal Navy he spent just one season with the Essex and Suffolk. He then joined the Wilton Hunt in 1947, whipping-in to Tom Tilbrook....