CAMBRIDGE

William “Bill” Thomas Meyer, was born on the 26th September 1919 in Bermondsey South East London.

Bill’s had a good, although very tough childhood. Bill was bought up by his mother after his father was killed in a road accident in 1925. In 1928 Bill’s Mother remarried and his brother Ron was born, unfortunately the marriage only lasted a few years when Bill’s new Father passed away leaving his mum widowed again. Despite these challenges, he excelled at school regularly coming top in his classes and was school prefect in his final years.

After leaving school at 14 Bill did a variety a jobs from delivery boy to working as a Butcher in the Sainsbury’s food factory. In 1939 Bill joined the Royal Artillery and was quickly promoted to a Junior NCO, it was this stage at the outbreak of World War Two that he met and fell in love with Mildred, however within a few months Bill was posted overseas first to Gibraltar then East Africa and finally India with the end of the war Bill returned to England as a senior NCO and married Mildred.

Bill recommenced his job with Sainsbury’s and set up home in Plumstead and then eventually moving to Kidbrooke.

Bill and Mildred had three children all daughters, Gillian, Susan and Pauline. The parents gave their daughters a warm loving and caring home, a good education and a sense of purpose..

During the late 50’s and early 60’s with the daughters growing up Bill & Mildred began fostering children and gave them the love and affection as if they were their own.

Bills involvement with Cambridge Harriers began when youngest daughter, 15 year old Pauline, joined Cambridge. Bill & Mildred would go along and support her and this led to Bill becoming deeply involved with the club’s ladies section where, in1970, he became Team Manager, then Secretary and eventually Chairman. However, his proudest moment came in 1984 when he was elected Club President.

In 1969 Greenwich Council decided to twin with Reinickendorf in Berlin and Maribor in Yugoslavia the first contact would be a sporting exchange involving Cambridge Harriers, soon Bill and Mildred were on the committee and this led to many happy years of exchange visits and making lifelong friends in Berlin and Maribor

In the early 1980’s Bill decided to become a Track & Field Judge passing all his exams he became a grade 1 official, officiating at athletic meetings all over the country from International events to local meetings.

Bill and Mildred celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1996 and were married for 57 happy years when Mildred sadly passed away.

Although heartbroken, Bill continued his active life despite making light of the illness’s (Heart bypass, Cancer, hip replacements, aneurysm) that he had fought and overcome in his life. Now on his own and in his eighties he continued to play and coach short mat bowling particularly for the disabled.

Bill’s kindness and his commitment to Cambridge Harriers could never be questioned and was another member of the club who’s conduct and commitment can only be admired. Those club members who knew him remember Bill with deep affection and will carry with them fond memories.