Reginald Marsh (17^th September 1926 to 9^th February 2001)

I can remember Reginald Marsh from watching television through the 1970s and 80's. His looks made him “boss material” and scared me a little. His name doesn’t resound with familiarity but once you see his face you know him.

He was born in London but grew up on the Sussex coast. He left school to work in a bank but in the evenings pursued acting. This hobby dug under his skin and he was so serious about it his dad introduced him to a retired actress who introduced him to an agent. He was on his way and at just 16 got his first acting role in Eden End by J.B. Priestley.

He worked in rep then at 32 started working behind the scenes of Granada Television. Acting was in his blood and he was soon back in front of the camera. From the 1960's he appeared in many films and television series. He was in all those weekly programmes I watched: Dixon of Dock Green, Z-Cars, Bless This House, The Sweeney and The Persuaders. Good on him.

He appeared in three episodes of The Good Life (as Jerry's boss and Managing Director of JJM.) His slightly-regal bearing was definitely scary-boss material and he was appeared in this role in George and Mildred as Humphrey Pumphrey then in Terry & June as Sir Dennis Hodge.

His face fitted television and his appeared in many popular television programmes in the 1980's like Home to Roost, Bergerac, Boon and Minder.

He was married twice and produced six children. In the 1980's he moved to Ryde to live out his retirement. As one of his sons was born with Down’s syndrome and he actively supported Hayland’s Farm (a project for young people with learning problems) and MENCAP.

He died in 2001 at his Ryde home not far from the cemetery. I read he’d been buried (presumably here) but I don’t know for sure. I searched for his grave on the computer at the cemetery but nothing flagged up.