A correspondent writes:
THE Revd Peter Davies was born in Bedford, and grew up in Rochester, where his father was headmaster of King’s School. He followed his brother, Tony, to Marlborough College, before going up to St John’s College, Oxford, to read Classics. He was a keen lawn-tennis player and captained the Penguins (Oxford University’s 2nd team). After graduating, he spent a year teaching in Quebec before returning, to propose to Margaret Allen (”Tiggy”) whose brother, Hubert, had been his contemporary at St John’s.
Peter and Tiggy had a long engagement while he trained for ordination at Westcott House, Cambridge, and she completed her degree at St Hugh’s College, Oxford. Telephone calls were expensive in those days: they had an arrangement with the operators so that they could put money into the call box from both ends. Peter and Tiggy were married in the chapel at St John’s College, Oxford, on 27 September 1958.
Peter was ordained in Lichfield Cathedral and served his title at St Chad’s, Cannock. Their two older sons, Richard and Peter John (PJ), were born during their three years there, before they sailed to Kenya, where Peter taught at the Prince of Wales (later Nairobi) School for 13 years. He was school chaplain and, for a few years, a housemaster
He was an active and popular teacher, and several of his pupils stayed in touch until the end of his life. In 1963, he and other members of staff took 114 boys from three schools to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in relays.
Their younger children, Alan and Nell, were born in Nairobi.
In 1976, the family returned to England, where Peter had been appointed teacher and chaplain at Bedford School. In 1985, they moved to West Wales, where he became Vicar of St Brides with Marloe. He also became an honorary chaplain to the Polish Air Force, after his involvement in commemorating the Polish 304 Bomber squadron, who had been stationed at Dale in the Second World War.
After a heart attack in 1989, he worked for a few more years before retiring at the age of 60. In spite of fragile health he enjoyed a long and happy retirement with his beloved wife, Tiggy. They saw their grandchildren grow up, and were able to visit them in Ireland, Canada, and the Falkland Islands.
Theirs was an extraordinarily happy and successful marriage spanning nearly 60 years. They complemented and supported each other, and could remember only ever having had two quarrels (although neither could remember what they had been about).
Their house was always open, and they lived as true Christians. They treated everyone they met with respect, courtesy, and generosity. I never heard them turn away someone who needed help or a bed for the night.
Peter died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife, Tiggy; four children, Richard, PJ, Alan, and Nell; Lizzie, whom they informally fostered after her mother’s death; and seven grandchildren.