Music was the only activity that calmed Kevin through his early childhood stomach problems and exascerbated by the side effect of hunger. Still in his pram Kevin insisted he is taken passed the Co-op milk depot adjacent to West Ealing station where express and other trains went on their thundering way into or out of Paddington.

While in primary school he decided he wanted to play the French horn because of the rich sound and many harmonics. However, he was not physically developed enough to play what is said to be the most difficult orchestral instrument. He was ‘put to the piano’ during these pre-horn years which included sight-reading music for ten fingers - always a chore for the first instrument. He was known to be pitch-perfect and on request could tell you the key and time of any piece being played.

I accompanied both Kevin and Martin to their piano lessons and often sat beside them whilst they practiced. A problem with working through their grades is that the exam pieces consist of classical music which requires rigorous playing. Kevin had his own ‘variations on the theme’ printed in front of him. It was of course an indication of his memory and ability to play by ear. During one grade practical exam the examiner stopped Kevin playing one piece which he had of course been through many times, and Kevin said: “it’s not a repeat you know”.

On transferring from the primary to secondary sectors, Kevin declined to wear long trousers instead of shorts because he said they were more comfortable - a sign of his determination and trait to ignore what others said and ‘to do his own thing’. When visitors and family came with their children to the house, both Kevin and Martin would take them away and entertain them leaving the adults to talk. In one hide and seek game, the Courtfield house had several places to hide, Kevin came across the Christmas presents but did not let on because he did not want to disillusion the children.

At home, we had a wide collection of music. His Mum, Molly, even though not a musician was well-informed with classical and popular music. I was an accordionist with a little piano playing and came from the folk song and dance world with an eclectic interest in the classics. The collection ranged from the Corries to all of Beethoven’s symphonies and concertos via Stilgo and Skellern, Flanders and Swan, Nat King Cole, the Radio Ballads.

At Drayton Manor High School, there was a strong and highly active music department headed by Stephen Block and Ken Williams. Among the instruments the department held was a French horn available along with one-to-one lessons. On Saturday mornings Ealing Junior Music School (EJMS) was attended. Parents attended small concerts given by a range of sections which included the excruciating sound made by young violin players! There was a school orchestra and high standard musical productions including those of Gilbert and Sullivan.

In the latter years at Drayton, Kevin composed some orchestral pieces. Earlier whilst at primary school Kevin had a stock of his own piano pieces he had composed a piece called ‘times tables’.

Martin, Kevin, and I used to have punning sessions with Molly appealing for us to stop! Both the boys were excellent at mimicking personalities including Ian Paisley and various government ministers.

There were political discussions at meals and other times talking about campaigns. He contributed to The Democrat and in 2016 just before the referendum he ran the technical display of the European conference of TEAM (The European Alliance of EU critical Movements) held in Friend’s House, Euston. In other words, he was a BREXITEER.

Whilst Kevin was in the sixth form there was a discussion about his future and which way to go. Was it to be a musical or engineering career solving problems? He wrote to Peter Skellern enclosing a cassette tape of his pieces asking for advice on how to proceed. In his reply, Skellern said Kevin would have to get used to a diet of baked beans on toast! Other advice from professional musicians was to enjoy being an amateur and not to go professional.

My opinion, confirmed by all the tributes and memories, is that Kevin chose the best course of action.   Following his deep interest in transport, he landed on his feet in the railway industry at Network Rail.  At the same time, music continued to be a huge part of his life.  The best of both worlds!

In both music and transport spheres, he has left indelible marks and for some a yawning chasm.

John Boyd  12.10.20 (Kevin's Dad)