Dan Meyrick - an Obituary
An Obituary to Rotarian Dan Meyrick 1912-2012
Many thanks to Rotarian Tom Shiner for his kind words and extensive research
With profound regret the club records the death of its oldest member, Daniel Thomas Meyrick who died on November 2nd 2012 aged 99 years.
Born and brought up in the Welsh Valleys, he was educated locally and graduated from Cardiff University with an Honours degree in English and History. This then led onto teacher training at Bristol University.
His first assignment was at a school in Dagenham but in 1936 he moved to the newly formed Grays Park Secondary School for boys.
During the war Dan joined the RAF and was involved in the development of equipment designed to trace missing aircraft. He served in this capacity in North and South Africa and Italy.
After the war he resumed his career in education and became the headmaster of various schools in Thurrock and was active in the Teachers Union. He was twice the President of the Thurrock Teachers Association and also the Essex Teachers Association. He became a governor of the Thurrock Technical College and served on the Essex Educational Committee for 14 years.
His last post as headmaster was at Hassenbrook School in Stanford le Hope from 1965 until his retirement in 1974.
He was also a JP and in due course became Chairman of the Bench, a position he held until his mandatory retirement from the role at 70.
Of course allied to all this was Dan’s involvement in all things Rotary. He served as President in 1974/75 and continued to serve the club diligently and conscientiously for the rest of his life. In recognition of his first 50 years of service to Rotary the club conferred upon him the Honour of the Paul Harris Fellowship.
Dan was a modest and unassuming gentleman and a devout Christian. He served his church and became an Elder in the United Reformed Church for many years.
In 1939 he married Olwen Jenkins who died in 1990. They had one daughter Elaine.
DANIEL THOMAS MEYRICK Born 16th December 1912 Died 2nd November 2012