Obituary

OBITUARIES MRS. V. M. F. DESBOROUGH Mrs. V. M. F. Desborough, who died on 2nd January, 1971, joined the Society in 1948 and for twenty years was the local secretary for the Tunbridge WeUs area. During that period she built up an unofficial 'branch' of the parent body which was, in effect, a local archseological society, but with no separate subscription and open only to members of the Kent Archseological Society. A born organizer, she arranged several meetings and outings each year, all memorable for the meticulous attention to detail which ensured their success. The social side of these events appealed to many who might otherwise have never come into contact with archseology, much less joined the Society. One subject Mrs. Desborough was particularly interested in was medieval bee-boles, of which she discovered a number not previously recorded; she contributed articles about them. In 1968, Mrs. Desborough was elected an Honorary Member of the Kent Archseological Society, and one hkes to recollect her pleasure, indeed delight, at this gesture so genuinely deserved. M.E.D. HAROLD MILLWARD RAND, T.D., M.A. Harold Rand was educated at West Ham Grammar School and King's College, Cambridge, and served in the Royal Corps of Signals from 1915 to 1921. For thirty-eight years, he was Senior History Master at Ashford Grammar School and, from 1955-1959, Second Master. An indefatigable member of the Historical Association, he was for many years an active tour organizer and member of the Tours Committee as well as a familiar figure at revision courses. Both the Ashford and Canterbury Archseological Societies owe much to his enthusiasm and organizing ability. He revived the former after the second World War and was Honorary Secretary of the latter from 1948 to 1963. A member of Counoil since 1962, his main interest was the preservation of anoient buildings, and he was a resourceful member of the C.P.R.K./K.A.S. Joint Committee. In spite of increasing infirmity in his later years, he maintained his interest in archaeology and history to the last. L.D.L. 261