Univ Record 2018

1941
ARTHUR WILLIAM “BARRY” BARNES (Solihull School) died on 18 September 2017
just before his 94th birthday. He read Chemistry at Univ. We are grateful to his daughter
Liz for the following tribute:
Barry was at Univ from 1941-5, and always spoke of that time with huge affection.
Years later, picnics on the Cherwell were a treat for us all, with our dad skilfully steering
the heavily laden punt.
He was born in Blackthorn to a railway family – his grandfather was a ganger on
the GWR and his father a “lamp boy” who became Chief Inspector of the Birmingham
Division. As he said “The GWR is in my blood” and he retained a lifelong interest in
rail and steam.
Barry won a scholarship to Univ from Solihull School where the headteacher noted
“Not only has he first rate ability but a good personality and much grit.” His letter from
Univ concluded “Do not forget to bring with you your ration book, identity card and gas
mask.”
Barry never much liked his christened name of Arthur and it was at Univ that he was
re-named during “a memorable evening in V1.6”. His friends decided on Barry (after the
actor, Barry K. Barnes) and he was Barry thereafter.
Before Oxford he worked on a Cotswold farm where, leaning over a gate, he saw
a girl called Jean who became his beloved wife. They visited each other in Oxford and
Birmingham (where Jean was studying medicine) and married in 1948 with a honeymoon
cycling in the Cotswolds.
Barry was recruited as a research chemist by ICI and by the late 60s was a Director
on the Plastics Division Board. His colleagues talk warmly of him as a brilliant boss, and
an extremely good delegator who always insisted that you were working with him – not
for him.
In the 1970s concerns grew about the incidence of cancer among people who worked
in production of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC).
Barry took charge of world-wide investigations,
chairing a European group from 1974-6 to
ensure safe production of PVC.
He was a man of great integrity – always
searching for the truth. He was also great fun,
with a love of music, theatre, poetry, literature,
history – and good pubs, good coffee and his
pipe.
After 35 years with ICI, Barry retired in 1980
and he and Jean moved back to the Cotswolds
where they were active in village and church life.
Jean died in 2015 and Barry two years later.
They are remembered with love by their three
children, two grandchildren and their friends in
the UK and worldwide.
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