Dr Brian Dudley – Obituary
It is my sad duty to report the death of Dr Brian Dudley. He died on 30th September aged 86. The following details are provided by Eric Horwill, a team mate of Brian’s for 70 years and current Stourbridge CC President.
Brian was educated at King Edward VI, Stourbridge. When school clubs recommenced just before the end of the war Brian joined the chess club. He was immediately recruited to play for Stourbridge Chess Club in one of their friendly matches with Birmingham. From 1945 he had an unbroken membership with Stourbridge Chess Club until he passed away. The early development of his chess is very much due to the legendary Tom Chattaway.
While at KE Brian played for the school team in the Cobham Trophy (Division 2 of the Worcestershire County Competition). He played in numerous friendlies for Stourbridge against Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Bridgnorth. (Eric was similarly recruited to Stourbridge in 1946!).
On leaving school Brian studied medicine at Birmingham University and became a member of one of the strongest university clubs of the era. He then served in the RAF (3 years National Service), playing occasionally for Stourbridge when on leave.
Since that time he played regularly for Stourbridge in the Worcestershire Leagues. He later played for Stourbridge in the other local leagues; Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Dudley. He also played many times for the Worcestershire County 1st team including playing in the National Open Semi-final against Sussex in London.
Away from chess, Brian’s interests were Worcestershire County Cricket and bird-watching.
To state that Brian has been the mainstay of Stourbridge Chess Club for many decades is a gross understatement. He has been Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, President and 1st team captain. He will be sadly missed.
Brian’s funeral will be at Stourbridge Crematorium on Friday 20th October at 2:50 pm. Afterwards we will meet at the Stourbridge Institute. (Stourbridge CC home venue). If you wish to attend please let either Dave Scriven or Eric Horwill know so we can cater for numbers. Flowers welcome or donations if desired are being gratefully accepted for MS Society c/o H. Porter& Sons, Funeral Directors, Old Church House, 60 South Road, Stourbridge, West Midlands, DY8 3UJ.
Posted on behalf of Dave Scriven, Stourbridge Chess Club