William Edgar (Bill) Hurst: School House, 1944 - 1951
Born 20th August 1933 - Died 21st June 2026
William (Bill) Hurst was born in August 1933 in Aberdare where his father owned the bakery. The eldest of 3 children, he was sent to Christ College, Brecon as a border in 1944.
Bill had a successful time at school, frequently being at the top of his class, he was head boy for a time and played for the 1st XV rugby team. His name was put on the honours board at the school marking his achievement of being the first from the school to enter the Dartmouth Naval college upon finishing his education. He remembered his school days fondly and returned to visit on many occasions, attending several Old Breconian days at the school until his health prevented him from doing so.
Originally thinking of entering the church he and his friend, who was the son of a bishop, changed their minds as they felt it would be more fun to join the Royal Navy. He went to the Royal Navy training school in Dartmouth in 1951 later specialising in Navigation. He had a varied and interesting career around the world, including having to abandon ship when the Empire Windrush sank in 1954 in just his pyjamas and a jacket, and he witnessed the H bomb mushroom cloud during tests in the Pacific Ocean in 1957. From 1979 to 1982 Bill was a senior Officer on HMS Endurance Antarctic survey ship, where he met Sir David Attenborough on a filming visit to the ship. There is a small bay on James Ross Island in West Antarctica that bears his name “Hurst Bay” because of the hydrographic work he carried out in this area between 1981 and 1982.
HMS Endurance was in Port Stanley in the Atlantic Ocean in 1982 when reports of the Argentine invasion of the Falklands was received and they found themselves playing a key role in its recapture. Bill was “Mentioned in Despatches” for his work, and the following year was awarded the MBE.
He retired from the Royal Navy in 1983 taking a retired Officer’s job at the Compass Observatory in Slough where he remained until his second retirement in 1997. With his wife Gillian they became more active locally, serving significant roles in the community and the church.
Bill joined the Horticultural Society and was Summer Show Field Manager for 20 years. He was also a member of the Village Hall committee, playing a major part in the redecoration of the village hall, including lying on his back at the top of the scaffolding to paint the vast ceiling.
He and Gillian joined the Scottish dancing group, were active members of the Art Society, and enjoyed many collaborations with the Twinning Association in Hambledon and in Reville.
1997 saw Bill starting his retirement project to plan and build an extension to their house, which kept him busy for several years, with Gillian and other family members and friends helping out too.
In 1999 Bill was asked to take on the role of Verger at Hambledon church, which he did until 2021, and in 2005 he also took on the role of Sexton.
Parallel with these activities Bill and Gillian were a tremendous support to their children, grandchildren and family members, enjoying several many years returning to the ski slopes, chasing the ever-elusive free lift pass. He finally gave up skiing at the age of 80.
During their married life it is estimated that Bill and Gillian lived in 8 different countries, and 16 different houses.
He has battled cancer twice and survived, but Alzheimer’s has gradually been taking him from us. He died peacefully on June 21st 2026 surrounded by family members. He is survived by his wife Gillian, his children Jonathon and Fiona, 5 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, and his sister Valerie.
The word that describes him in the vast majority of condolences the family has received is that Bill was, and is remembered as, a true Gentleman
