Mr Sydney Marland (1951)

Provided by Mrs Sally Pownall

Commander Henry Sydney Marland 1929 – 2006

It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Steyning resident Henry ‘Harry’ Marland. Born in Ormskirk in 1929 he joined the Royal Navy at age 17, where he rose to the rank of Commander. During his early years in the Navy he obtained a First Class Engineering Degree from Imperial College London, and later travelled throughout the Far East, meeting his American wife Nancy in Hong Kong. In the late 1960’s he was attached to the British Embassy in Washington DC where he helped develop the Phantom Aircraft.

On leaving the services Harry became Managing Director Designate of Plessey Ltd and later joined the Board of Eurotherm Ltd. In 1972 he started his own company, Control and Readout Ltd, (Goring). Throughout this period he travelled extensively including trips to Japan and Australia on behalf of the British Government on export missions. He was awarded the Churchill Fellowship to Tokyo to study the Japanese electronics industry.

Later in his career he became involved in local radio. He was key in securing the contract for Southern Sound Radio at its inception and later became Chairman. He held other directorships, including Seeboard, and represented industry on industrial tribunals.

He will be remembered for his keen wit and sense of humour, his love of cricket, wine and travel. He is survived by his wife Nancy, his 3 children (Jonathan, Sally and Peter) and 7 grandchildren.