 | OUR FEATURED MEMBERS - KEN and GEOF ARMSTRONGWelcome to featured members page. Mainly for our members but, being on the internet the whole world can join in. This page has been created to give you an insight into the life of some of our members. This time our subjects are the terrible twosome 'The Armstrongs'. |  |
| Ken and Geof Armstrong the Identical Twins. Two true British gents; something this country is starting to lack even though they used their very “look alike” features to their full potential as youngsters and caused havoc at every opportunity. Born in Brighton in 1923 just 20 minutes apart, Ken being the older. Born at home a common practice in those days by Dr Simpson. Their mum Phyllis and father Ernest with elder brother John, made up their family of which they both have deep respect and love for - even though both parents and brother have past on. All their family have lived to ripe old ages including 11 on Dad’s side and 13 on Mum’s. Uncle Harry lived to receive the famous Queen’s telegram. Ken and Geof were named in an unusual manner. A very good friend of the family had lost two boys in World War 1 and asked Ernest if he could name the twin boys after his boys. Ernest agreed willingly so Ken‘s second name is Roland and Geof‘s is Maurice. On to school. At the age of five both were put in the same class. This is where they did most damage as look alikes, always telling the teacher “no not me it was Ken” and vice versa. This ended up with Ken getting the strap and the pair being moved up a year to try and quell their mischief. Both played cricket and football. Ken liking cricket more. They moved from Ditchling Road School to Varndean Grammar School for Boys to finish their education. Again Ken playing cricket for the first eleven and football for second. Geof in reverse. Very grateful to their father for pushing them hard at school, which paid off with five major exam passed each, and exactly the same marks. Now it was time for work in 1939. Again their Father playing a big part with advice. Having foresight of war looming telling them to get jobs that will be there when and if the war ended. Ken went straight into Banking, Geof into Insurance. Both jobs in Brighton. Both very shrewd taking as many exams in each respective profession in a two-year period. This did them justice after the war. |  | 1941-1942 - Call up time. Father was adamant they, including older brother John went to different sections of the armed forces. John - Royal Navy, Geof - Air Force and Ken - Royal Marines. Geof was trained in telecommunications at Blackpool, learning Morse code to start with. When training finished along came the order to Gourock, Scotland - where he boarded MV Brittanica (a 15,000 tonne liner converted to a troop carrier. This set sail on 13/12/42 a convoy of 50 ships with cruisers and a destroyer as escort. No mention of destination. He was amazed, after several days at sea to see the Cape of Good Hope and went onto Durban. Two weeks later straight across Indian Ocean and ending up in Bombay (Mumbai). He stayed in India for 4 years always on the move setting up wireless stations. Mainly on coastal areas with Sri Lanka playing a big part - receiving and sending important messages to keep the Japanese at bay. Even though coastal work was the main - he did have a short time in Quetta on Afghanistan/Pakistan border. This period of their life was the only time they have spent any distance apart because they were in different parts of the armed forces. Ken having gone into the Royal Marines continued his extensive training in Scotland around the area of Loch Fyne. This was over a two-year period, including commando training in Devon. The group he trained with went on to North Africa but Ken volunteered for Special Sea Service and went to the Far East having been promoted to officer rank (Lieutenant). At the end of the war he had a whole Japanese contingent surrender to him with the officer in charge handing over his sword in surrender. These boys were certainly having a full life. Ken married Sheila during the war, after meeting Sheila whilst training in Scotland. It was love at first sight - 6 weeks from looking into each other’s eyes to being engaged. At Ken’s wedding in July 1946, Geof met his wife Alison - who was Sheila’s cousin and bridesmaid. This romance took a littler longer because of the war efforts. Geof finally tying the knot July 1948. Both felt great guilt as being the ones to make it home safe and sound from the war including brother John and this is still deep in their thoughts knowing a good friend of the family had just the one son that never returned to these shores. Both suffered illness during the war, Geof contracted Dengue fever (mosquito related) and Ken having amoebic dysentery. Geof and Ken returned to their jobs in Insurance and Banking at Junior status, but having taken their exams before the war broke out they were soon climbing the respective ladders in their chosen professions. During the long haul to the top along came the children. Geof and Alison having two girls and one boy - Valerie in 1950, David in 1953 and Lesley in 1959 - also giving them six grand children. |
 | Ken and Sheila having one of each. Joy in 1948 and Paul in 1951 - another 4 grand children. As you could imagine these very proud men show great love and fondness and of course are very proud of their children and grandchildren alike. Geof retired in 1981/82 as Local Branch Manager and Fellow of Chartered Insurance Institute of London. Ken finished work in 1979 as a Bank Manager for Midland Bank. While still in banking in 1968 Ken took up bowls and joined the Horsham club, then moved to Burgess Hill where he was Manager of Midland Bank branch in the town. He joined Worthing Pavilion and West Sussex Tourists and is now at Maltravers. Whilst at Worthing Pavilion he got his Sussex Badge (Indoor and Outdoor). He also ran the West Sussex Tourists for several years before having the good fortune to obtain the services of our current Tour Manager and Secretary, Chris Rolph. Geof bowling at Worthing Pavilion, taking up bowls much later than Ken, always telling him it was an old mans game, but both proud of playing for the Sussex Past Presidents. Geof holding same office for the Littlehampton Rotary Club and the Worthing and West Sussex Insurance Institute. I think that you will find that these two have put back a lot more into bowls than having taken out. In 1993 the twins children and grand children gave them a surprise 70th Birthday present, which to their amazement and great joy turned our to be tickets for a 3.5 hour flight on Concorde from London Heathrow. Travelling at Mach 2, Capt Morris was the pilot and Capt Trubshaw (the original test pilot) provided a commentary throughout the flight. Many of their family have, including themselves celebrated 50th Wedding Anniversaries. Geof coming up to 60 years this year. Ken and Geof both had knee replacements in 2006, both in the same week and to their left legs. This interview was great fun to do, listening to these boys just bouncing back and forth off one another, but always coming across as proud with immense love of life and living it to the full. Keep going boys - you are two gentlemen this club respect and love. |  |