Leonard Dines 1935-2023

Leonard (Len) was born in 1935, the second of three children. His father was a milkman and army reservist. His mother was a housewife having previously worked using her secretarial skills.

Sadly, Len's father was killed fighting in Africa. Len was only seven. The family became itinerant moving from house to house and from school to school. The highlight of life was the weekly visits to the local library.

Len was able to read before he started school. He did not, however, follow his brother Joseph to grammar school. As an avid reader, he found secondary modern school tedious but enjoyed the football. Len's mother was now using her skills working in an office and the family was back in their first house.

After leaving school at 15, Len worked as an accounts clerk in the office of a local agricultural firm. Spare time was spent playing tennis and cricket in local teams. This included football. He supported Ipswich Town and travelled with Joseph to away matches. I met him during this time and we eventually married. Len searched for better employment but it was impossible without 'O' levels. Oh dear, no 'O' levels, so no job.

A vital decision was made. I would continue teaching and become the breadwinner and Len would study full time at the local Suffolk College. It recognised his ability and made plans for him to take 2 'A' levels and 'pick up' five 'O' levels. After a while, things changed drastically. Our first child, Rachel, was born so I had to give up teaching to look after the new arrival. Len was forced to continue his studying at home while also working; somehow fitting in various jobs, including one as a bus conductor. This was a hard time for both of us.

Exams now complete, Len decided to go into teaching. He went to Norwich Training College. He was to reside there during the week. There were many mature students there and Len's horizons began to expand and his confidence grew. Another baby, William, also arrived. We both made lasting new friends during this time. One good and lasting friend was the naval historian Peter Padfield. Len was now nearly 30. At the end of the course Len and two mature student friends came top of the intake. This meant they had the opportunity of applying to Cambridge University for an academic year of postgraduate study. Would I mind? I was delighted! Len applied to Fitzwilliam, as he had heard that they accepted unusual and mature applicants. He argued with the interviewers and returned home disconsolate, quite sure that he had spoiled his chances. He had actually enhanced them. He had a place at Fitzwilliam!

Throughout his training, Len used the holidays to earn extra money. We were, however, very lucky to receive a grant which covered the whole family. We were very aware of how fortunate we were. Times have surely changed!

Thinking of our family, Len determined to economise at Cambridge; eating crackers and cheese instead of dining in hall in the evening. He attended the Debating Society and organ recitals at King's and the lectures on philosophy but maybe partly because he was relatively poor and perhaps shy about his Suffolk accent, he generally avoided social contact. He did meet with his friend from the training college, who was at Kings and they explored things, Cambridge, and ideas together. Through this friend, Len became very interested in the history of art. Our bookshelves now groan with beautiful books on the subject. We both loved to visit famous galleries with the above-mentioned friend and his wife.

He spent his teaching career at a state primary school in Ipswich and made several attempts to moved on to deputy head posts elsewhere. The head teachers interviewing him appeared to be intimidated by his Cambridge degree, so he got nowhere. As far as I know, Len had a good rapport with the children he taught, where his Suffolk accent put them at ease. He was tall and very articulate, commanding respect and after retirement was pleased to meet old pupils, some of whom went on to university.

Len died on July 7th after a long illness. He left me, his wife, children Rachel and William and six grandchildren. With his support and dedicated help, three grandchildren went to university. One became the director of the firm where he started as an apprentice. One has just become a mother. The others are still in education.