Tom Shiner - An Obituary to a Gentleman of the Club
Posted by Iain Ramsay
on May 04, 2015
6th May 1925 - 16th April 2015
Thomas Christopher Shiner PHF
Born in Cresthill Avenue, Grays, he was the fifth of eight children born to Lawrence and Ada Shiner. Lawrence being the District Surveyor for Walthamstow and Ada being the sister of Rowland Hall, a well known local accountant.
Tom attended St John’s school in Billericay and from 1936 to 1943, Clayesmore School in Dorset. Very keen on sport, he was described by his Headmaster at Clayesmore as ‘one of the most successful fly halves the school ever had’ - adding ‘a touch of originality surrounded all of his activities’
Tom enlisted in the RAF Volunteer Reserve in 1943 and when no longer required in August 1944 entered the Royal Navy as a coder. At the end of the war he was sent to Iran, then to India for further training. In 1947 he returned to the UK and whilst stationed at Aldershot he represented Southern Command at Rugby. He was released from military duty in December 1948 having attained the rank of Lieutenant.
In 1949 he signed Articles of Clerkship with his uncle, Rowland Hall and stayed with the firm until he retired as a partner in 1985.
Having been signed up by his uncle it was convenient for Tom to live with them in College Ave, This had its advantages as it was close to the Convent School and Tom did have a keen eye for the young ladies. Jean Drylie was the luckiest and they married in 1956. They had four children who have now produced seven grandchildren.
Accountancy was his work but it did not provide the needed excitement, so he took to the waters in his own boat. A keen member of Grays Yacht Club he took part in sailing regattas all over the South of England and Northern France
His other sporting interest was golf which he played with the most unorthodox of grips, right handed with left hand below right. Obviously it worked, because he won the Rotary Walsham Cup and also achieved that goal that all golfers strive for, a hole in one.
He joined Grays Thurrock Rotary Club in 1979 and became President in 1987/88. From 1978, to 2005, excluding the 3 years of his Presidency, he was Treasurer of the Trust Fund.
His wife Jean passed away in 2000 after a long illness, by the end of which he was totally self sufficient. Not once did he call on his family or friends for assistance, nor did he complain about his health. Preferring to help others wherever he could.
His first task of each day was to complete the Daily Telegraph cryptic crossword, he would then deal with the affairs of state (things like the Trust Fund accounts), before he was off to help some more needy person.
Tom had few faults, and false modesty was not amongst them. He often said of himself that he ‘ lived a life of service’ and although speaking in jest, it was true. He was a gentleman, he could be relied upon to lend a hand or a sympathetic ear in any circumstances.
He will be remembered as a good and generous friend who enriched our lives in many ways. We will miss him.