Roger Newman, an active member and chair of the West Wilts Rail User Group for many years, passed away earlier this week, having been taken into hospital a day or two previous with Coronavirus. Apparently his lungs were just too weak.
I knew Roger for many years - an ardent advocate for rail, very well informed and the backbone of articles for the user group's newsletter. He did a very great deal in station adoption at Trowbridge and at Bradford-on-Avon too, as well as lots of other support work such as surveys for the through Waterloo services when they were under threat. He took a very great interest in the railways of Finland too, visiting there many times for extended holidays.
There are many aspects of Roger that I'm sure I was not privy to; as a campaigner on what was something of a branch line off his axis of interest, we came into contact, but I never served on the same group or committee as Roger, and I'm certain that I've left much out - others are welcome to add.
There will be an announcement in the Wiltshire times; funeral by invitation only in these extraordinary times, but I have spoken with his widow on the phone and passed on my and our condolences, and let her know that we'll be there on the day I spirit even if we can't in person.
Edit - addition of picture (taken 9th July 2016 in front or a blue GWR train!)
