Trustee of The Memorial Gates Trust.
In addition to our Picture Source and his Wikipedia page, our research shows that Colonel Sir Neil Gordon Thorne, OBE, TD, DL, was born on 8 August 1932 the son of Henry Frederick Thorne (1888-1963) and Ivy Gladys Thorne née Jones (1896-1979).
He was listed as an estate manager on the manifest of the Canadian Pacific Steamship 'Empress of Britain', arriving in Liverpool on 10 September 1956 having travelled from Montreal, Canada, with his parents. Their address was recorded as 60 Gyllyngdune Gardens, Seven Kings, Ilford, Essex.
As a Lieutenant Colonel in the Royal Regiment of Artilery, Territorial Army he was made an Ordinary Officer of the Military Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 1980 Queen's Birthday Honours List.
In 1992 he was made a Knight Bachelor. The London Gazette of 6 June 1992 shows that the honour was granted as he had given service as a 'Member of Parliament for Ilford South 1979-92; Councillor, London Borough of Redbridge, 1965-68, Alderman, 1975-78; Member G.L.C. and Chairman Central Area Board 1967-73. Chairman: Unpaired Members Group 1982-85; Member: Defence Select Committee, 1983-92; Court of Referees 1987-92'.
Companies House records show that he had been a director of six companies in the 1990's and in addition to having been a Member of Parliament for the Ilford South constituency he was also a chartered surveyor.
He also served as a deputy lieutenant for the London Borough of Brent allowing him to use the Post Nominal Letters "DL" for life. In addition to the the Territorial Army Efficiency Decoration 'TD', he was also awarded the Special Constabulary Long Service Medal and the Service Medal of the Order of St John.
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
