Former Standard journalist Robin Thompson has died at the age of 80. Here his family pay tribute. 

Born in Coventry in 1941, Robin eventually moved to Fairford via Hinckley in Leicestershire at the age of ten.

His beloved mother was a published romantic novel writer, so you could say that writing was in his blood and an apprenticeship at the Wilts and Glos Standard was the start of a lifelong passion.

Robin took his writing exams and became a journalist for the Wilts & Glos covering many stories from “witches in Sapperton Woods” to the “Torrey Canyon environmental disaster in Cornwall”, experienced flying with the Red Arrows and many more. His editing of the music section led to many published articles for the NME.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Robin ThompsonRobin Thompson

Music was a big part of his life. From being head choirboy in Fairford and singing at the Albert Hall to playing guitar and singing in local bands the Commoncheroes and the Dominoes in the Sixties. He also became lifelong friends with Cozy Powell.

After ten years at the Standard, Robin moved to the Bristol Evening Post. During his time at the Post he was seconded for four years to the Glorious Glosters and Devon & Dorset army regiments covering the Northern Ireland troubles in Ulster. Robin also covered the first Concorde flight and travelled to Germany to cover the fall of the Berlin Wall.

After he left the Evening Post, Robin continued to have a long and fulfilling career in business using his journalistic skills throughout.

Even in supposed retirement his passion for writing continued. Many of his articles were published in the Wilts & Glos about the various charities he helped raise money for and the people that he helped.

Robin’s family will miss him terribly but find comfort that his legacy in print will live forever.