A Tribute to the life of Robert David Milnes by John Pearce on behalf of the Nottinghamshire Law Society
It is with sadness that we have to report that David passed away on 18th October 2023 peacefully at home, in Farnsfield, where he had lived for 57 years. Our condolences go out to his wife Judith and two children Robert and Katharine.
David was born in Chelmsford on 21st April 1940. At the age of 8 David went to the local Dolphin school as a boarder. At 13 he went as a boarder at Malvern College, Worcestershire where he excelled at sport playing Cricket, Rugby and Cross Country running. Leaving Malvern College he went to Exeter College, Oxford to study law.
David and Judith first met at the College of Law in Guildford in February 1965. Like a lot of us including myself well remember those six months cramming courses prior to taking our Law Finals. At that time David was articled to B.C.McLean of Gillespie and McLean. David then moved to join Robert Barber & Sons where he stayed until retiring as Senior Partner. Judith also qualified as a Solicitor. David was a General Practitioner, like a lot of us who qualified at this time.
David like myself and others joined the newly formed Nottingham Young Solicitors Group. This was an enjoyable time and brought us all together for meetings and social events. He then joined the Nottingham Law Society Committee and in 1999 became President. We both joined the International Committee of the Society and were involved in numerous formal and visits to the twinned City of Karlsruhe, and later joining with Ghent. The Society still enjoys good relation with both Cities. Both he and Judith attended the Law Society Annual Conference held in Disneyland Paris representing the Society.
In the early 1980’s he reached the final of the Brain of Britain. His son Robert. Following in his footsteps 20 years later. He also won the “John Peace Trophy Quiz Night on two occasions and a great supporter of this for which I thank him.
Judith and David married on 1st October 1966 and moved to Long Acre Farnsfield which became the family home.
Apart from the family playing cricket for Winthorpe, his great interest is gardening. I well remember when Sara and I visited Long Acre, on social occasions the house was full of plants and seedlings. Eventually he bought a greenhouse which extended his capabilities in growing exotic fruits Figs and Apricots. The lower part of his garden was devoted to soft fruit. Quantity was important and he would weigh and record his crops and compare the readings year on year. He was a Member of the Southwell and District Ploughing Match and exhibited in the produce section each year. We were in competition with each other in the tomato section. His were better than mine. He also won Man in the Kitchen at the show one year and figs in “fruit of any kind” but Sara won the following year with her grapes.
Our friendship with David and Judith is long standing and in many ways their life together mirrors our own. Helping out on the school runs, social events and meeting either through the Society or close friends. We shall miss him the Gardener in the sky.
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