Mr David J. Onslow (Electrical and Electronic Engineering 1961)

Provided by Judy Onslow

David Onslow was born in South London, but soon after his birth he went with his father William and mother Hilda to live in New York. His mother died in America and David, still only a toddler, returned to England with his father. He went to live with his mother's brother and wife in Kent. His uncle played cricket for Kent, and the many hours he spent at Canterbury was the start of a lifetime's devotion to the game. He saw his first test match in 1948, which was also Don Bradman's last appearance.

David attended Emmanuel School, Wandsworth, and later Imperial College, where he studied Electrical Engineering.

He married a fellow District Councillor, Judy, and they moved to Hillbrow, Liss, in 1987 after he moved a section of his business, Gibbs Palmer Holdings Ltd, to Alton in 1986 from his home town of Norwich. Later, they moved to Greatham.

David was a District Councillor for Greatham and Hawkley from 1996 to 1999, and represented Liss from May 2003. Fellow Liss District Councillor and former Leader of East Hampshire District Council, Elizabeth Cartwright said: "I persuaded David to stand with me in Liss in 2003, His huge enthusiasm and energy were infectious, and he called on virtually every house in the ward.

Leader of East Hampshire District Council Andrew Pattie said: "David was a special man; he had that rare mix of courage and humility. His strength of purpose and unfailing good humour were a constant source of amazement and amusement to myself and his other colleagues. His impact on us as individuals and on the council as a whole was colossal. His energy, his wisdom, and his dedication were a lesson to us all."

The leader of the Liberal Democrats at East Hampshire District Council, Tony: Ludlow, said: "David will be missed; and he will also be remembered by all of us who worked with him. He was an effective councillor who made a great contribution to the council and through that to the people of East Hampshire."

A keen sportsman, he passionately followed cricket and rugby football. It was while watching a test match at the Oval last August that he was taken ill and lost the use of his legs. One of the great joys of his last few days was to see both Bangladesh and England beat Australia at cricket and to watch the success of the Lions in New Zealand.

David Onslow lost his battle against cancer when he died at King Edward VII hospital in Midhurst on Sunday, aged 65.