A former scientist who was awarded an OBE for his dedication to the profession has died.
Berrylands resident Douglas Ambrose died on February 1, aged 95.
Having moved to the borough in 1950, he worked in Teddington for 31 years – first in the Chemical Research Laboratory and subsequently in the National Physical Laboratory. During his career he devised a method for measuring vapour that was later used in reference handbooks. His own book Gas Chromatography, which was written in 1961, also ran to a second edition 10 years later. Mr Ambrose was born in Loughton, Essex, in 1919 and went on to study chemistry at University College London, graduating in 1939. He then joined the Army serving in Malta, Egypt, Palestine and Lebanon where he worked for the British Oxygen Company.
In 1976 his work earned him the Calendar Medal from the Institute of Measurement and Control. He was also principal scientific officer at the National Physical Laboratory from 1955 until his retirement in 1979, when he was awarded an OBE for life achievements in his field. Mr Ambrose had a long association with the Kingston Society, having joined with his late wife Barbara in 1972. He was an active member for 33 years and was treasurer for 14 years tasked with bookkeeping until he stepped down in 2005. He was also a member of Kingston Probus Club and enjoyed reading, photography and repairing furniture and clocks. He leaves behind a son Richard, daughter Helen, six-grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
His funeral will be held at the United Reformed Church, Elgar Avenue, Tolworth, from noon on Tuesday, February 24.
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