Clive "Brum" Layton

9 June 1947 - 3rd February 2010

Clive "Brum" Layton was born on 9 June 1947 and would have been 63 years old this year (just in case you couldn't do the sums, of course!). He joined the navy when he was 15 1/2 at St Vincent and later became an electrician. His ships included HMS Victorious, HMS Eastbourne and HMS Bulwark where he was fondly nicknamed the "electric pig". During his 12 years service he ran three times for the Portsmouth Field Gun Crew in 1967 (B Crew), 1970 (A Crew No 9; 3 Cups) and 1973 (A Crew, No 9 shadowed by "Hoppy" Hopkins who later turned out to be another excellent No 9 for Pompey) .

After leaving the Navy, Brum joined the oil industry and spent a few years on the rigs in Bahrain returning to run a pub with his brother. When his brother was killed in an unfortunate accident, Brum remained in Wolverhampton to look after his mother. He worked for a while with Goodyear and Qualcast but did not really settle until he found his niche in the Wolverhampton University (not as a student, I hasten to add!) on the facilities management side where he remained in post until his untimely passing on 3rd February 2010. Brum was a very popular manager with his maintenance and security teams and the turnout at his funeral by his senior managers as well as many members of the workforce was a testament to his popularity.

Brum was a keen footballer in the Navy and a rugby player. At 15 years old he was considered to be good enough to play football for the ship's company team in St Vincent even though he was still a trainee. Once his playing days were over, he continued his love of both sports and, in particular, supported Portsmouth and Wolverhampton FCs.

Although he never married, Brum had a sister and brother-in-law as well as three nieces who were very close to him but he always considered that he had a second family in Portsmouth; he was "Uncle Brum" to Clem and Judy's daughters and later to their grand children attending all their family gatherings. He enjoyed being part of the Field Gun Association and looked forward to visiting Portsmouth to attend as many functions as he could and often remarked that, when the time came, he would like to end up with his old friends "Jock" Stuart and "Chippy" Carpenter scattered in the rose garden.

Added 11th June, 2011......

I'm one of Clive's former colleagues and thought that you would like to know we have unveiled a bench at the University in his memory. His family were invited to unveil the bench which was done today on what would have been his 64th birthday, during the unveiling we had a toast to Clive with Woods's rum (what else could it have been?) and partook in a minutes applause. The event was attended by colleagues from across the University as he was a very well respected individual and as I'm sure you will testify, somewhat a character. His brother in law presented us with a framed photograph of Clive, the one of him smiling that was on display at his funeral; this will take pride of place in our office.

Should you or any other of his former Naval colleagues want to view the bench if you are ever up this way please feel free to contact me and I shall arrange access, I have attached some photographs of his family with the bench during the event this morning.

Regards

Steve Tolley