Basil was born on the 28th December 1919, the second of four boys.
He was a high academic achiever in his school years, as well as a talented sportsman. He achieved a rare distinction in those days of a free Scholarship to Leeds University.
He achieved a degree in Engineering and in the war years worked on a project designing lightweight bridges for the advancing allied forces. He rowed for Leeds University, played Rugby Union for Gosforth and Rugby League for Burton Sports, and at one time was the number one ranked tennis player in Leeds and in later years a tennis coach.
He spent most of his working life teaching Maths and Physics as well as coaching students at Rugby League.
He was also, with his late wife Sybil, a talented Bridge player and indeed he was proud that he once played the world chess champion Mikhail Botvinik.
Despite his strength and physical stature he was always remembered as a quietly spoken and gentle individual. A one word Eulogy would be “Mensch”.
