Derek Pocock (Past President and Life Member)

Vale: Derek POCOCK (1931-2018) 

The Club was saddened to learn in late November of the passing of our Life Member Derek Pocock.

Derek was an early member of the WA Bridge Club, joining after arriving in Perth from the UK with his wife Carol and family. Derek was an only child, son of Reg and Amy Pocock, and after his father died when he was young Derek was educated at boarding school at the Royal Masonic School for Boys in Watford, North London. In 1945, at the age of 14, Derek believed a forensic pathologist career sounded interesting and this was the path he was to follow in his life. He worked as a laboratory technician, was then called up into the army and after his service studied medicine at Kings College London. It was here he met Carol, the start of a love that lasted over 50 years.

Derek was an experienced Bridge player when he arrived in Perth, complete with a set of Bridge boards in case they were unknown in the antipodes. He quickly forged a role in the Perth Bridge community, particularly at WABC where he was Vice President in 1977 and 1978, President in 1979 and 1980, and Vice President again in 1983 and 1984. He was also President and Vice President of BAWA during those years, Vice President in 1977 and 1978, President in 1979 and 1980, and Vice President in 1982. Derek’s service to the Club was recognized when he was elevated to Life Membership in 2013.

Derek was a Gold Life Master in the ABF Bridge Rankings and a true master of the game. He was a formidable opponent at the table, and a charming and powerful partner. His name appears on many of the club honour boards, and he was at various times a joint holder of the Men’s Pairs Championship, Mixed Pairs Championship, and Teams Championships, and was the Individual Champion on three occasions. I

 In Derek’s other life, he was a well respected forensic pathologist, involved in many high profile cases. He also gained distinction with his philately and post card collecting. His achievements in these “hobbies“ of Bridge, stamps and postcards were more important to him than career promotions, and he continued to get enjoyment from them right up to the end of his life.

Derek did everything in life with a minimum of fanfare and a dry sense of humor. He will be remembered as a bridge playing collector who loved his family, and he will be sadly missed by all.

Some Reminiscences of Derek
Mike George

 I enjoyed Bridge and travel with Derek for over four decades, from Perth to the Amazon and beyond.

One aspect of Bridge I recall with Derek was the WA League Teams – established by Derek in 1974 – which took our unchanged team of four across 35 years to every far flung outpost in Perth. Team matches were always preceded with a great Chinese meal plus the occasional glass of red and white wine – sometimes walking the “squidgee plank” 1 to a venue at Rolystone - sometimes finding no one at home!! – sometimes mistaking Kathryn Crescent for Catherine Crescent in the Darling Ranges. And so on, always a laugh, always great bridge.

 But not only Perth. I remember well our Bridge cruise to Japan2 – and our Bridge in distant lands - the upper reaches of the Amazon with a pet jaguar under the table – sailing the Andes from Bariloche to Puerto Montt – being overlooked by inquisitive Moai on Easter Island – wonderful memories!

Derek’s bridge advice to so many over the years was invaluable – always be prepared to sacrifice at favourable vulnerability – we bid 7DX one day versus 6S by every NS – minus 6 – a score of 1400 versus -1430 by all NS – a clear top!! Just use good judgment. And of course, we remember fondly the year the Club’s Women’s and Men’s pairs were combined into one event and we were penalised for no dresses!! Especially when we won overall!!

 Great memories Derek

 Mike George

Published in December 2018 Edition of Trumps Plus