Obituary of Ian Armstrong Clinch

CLINCH, Ian Armstrong - 84, Berwick, Kings Co. On Monday, March 15, 2010, Ian Clinch?¢s body died and this ended a remarkable life. Born in Banbury, England, he was a son of the late Lewis and Christina (Cutt) Clinch. Ian left school at age 14, to become a Brewers Ledger?¢s Clerk. In 1941, at the age of 15, when the Second World War was not going well for the allies, he misrepresented his age in order to join the R.N., where he trained as a Naval Signaler. He once said, - A force 8 gale north of Scotland helps make a man out of a boy쳌. His war time experience was varied. He was assigned to convoy escort duty on the North Atlantic Convoy Route. In 1944, he found himself on a leaking cement caisson that was towed across the English Channel as part of the Mulberry Harbour Project immediately after D Day. He then found time to marry June Grover, who became his life long partner. Two days after marrying he was expected to report to Barracks before being shipped out to the Far East, where he was part of two sea borne invasions of Burma, a sea borne invasion of Malaya and the retaking of the Dutch East Indies, where he was involved in the battle of Surabaya. Demobbed in 1946, he returned home to his wife and infant son,whom he had never seen and to a new job of assistant personnel manager. He remained in the Brewing Industry for the rest of his working life, retiring in 1981. He rose to become a personnel director within the Courage group of brewing companies. His successful work in labour relations was recognized by his appointment as the employers' representative on a British Industrial Tribunal in the 1970?¢s, whose rulings were legally binding and which were designed to settle employment law disputes. His last assignment, prior to retiring at the age of 55, was to close down a historic brewery in the town of Reading, England, and open a state of the art brewery in its place while implementing a new era of successful labour relations. He began his retirement by emigrating to Canada with his wife June in 1981, settling first in Annapolis County and then in Kings County. In his spare time, he became a master gardener, whose efforts had helped feed his family during times of food rationing. He became a free mason and achieved the office of Grand Master. He and his wife June, after their retirement, became avid square dancers who enjoyed their achievement of reaching the - advanced쳌 level. Whether in work or play, Ian strove to do his best and his best brought him success, satisfaction and respect. He died after fighting bravely, for seven years, nature's attempt to take away his and June?¢s independence. Surviving are his wife, June E. (Grover) Clinch, Berwick; sons, David Stewart (Valerie H.) Clinch, Warminster, U.K.; Andrew James (Anne Elisabeth) Clinch, Aylesford; sister, Judith (Philip) Parry, Torquay, U.K.; brother, Roger Clinch, Stourbridge, U.K.; grandchildren, Grant, Shelly, Lauren, Marcus, Jamie (Shanna), Nicola (Robert Martel); great-grandchildren, Emma, Rowan, Ben, Alex and Jacob. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, John. There will be no visitation. There will be a private gathering for family, close friends and neighbours in room 105, Rainforth Wagner Unit, Grand View Manor, 110 Commercial St., Berwick, this Thursday, March 18, from 11 am to 1 pm. Family flowers only, donations in his memory may be made to the Grand View Manor. Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to the H.C. Lindsay Funeral Home, 192 Commercial St., Berwick, N.S., B0P 1E0, (902-538-9900). His cremated remains will be scattered at sea. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.lindsayfuneralhome.ca