News and Events 

Tribute to Redvers Burt – Milton Keynes

Monday 03 August 2009, 11:10am

The family of Redvers Burt, the 87-year-old man who died following a collision in Milton Keynes on Saturday 18 July, have released a tribute.

At around 9.25am a blue Volvo was reversing out of a driveway in Vicarage Road, Fenny Stratford, when it collided with Mr Burt. He was taken to hospital, where he later died as a result of his injuries.

His family said: “He was born in the Somerset village of Long Sutton in 1922 and lived in the same village until 2005, when he made Milton Keynes his permanent home having spent time living between both Milton Keynes and Long Sutton since his marriage to Monica in 1993.

“The eldest of five children, Redvers was an active member of the Long Sutton community and served the village unselfishly all his life.  He was first elected a parish councillor in 1949. The facilities which the village currently enjoys, including its street lighting and Village Hall, owe much to his dedication and foresight.

“Redvers was a plain speaking countryman. He spent his early working life working with local farmers and builders and served in the Home Guard during the Second World War.  He retired in 1987 having spent 26 years working for South West Electricity Board as a Linesman.

“In retirement, Redvers continued to work on behalf of his village and wrote a book, Long Sutton as ‘twere which was published in 1997. The book is a memoir of Redvers life and the life of his village throughout the 20th century.  He was intrigued by his family history and traced the Burt family tree back to 1769. He made the first of five trips to Australia in 1998 when he was 76 years old to meet relatives who he discovered had settled there when members of the Burt Family sailed to South Australia in the ship Northern Star in 1858.

“Even in retirement Redvers was an extremely active person who was a regular volunteer at the Rural Life Museum where he worked on various exhibits as well as donating historical agricultural artefacts that he had collected for the museum to display.

“Redvers will be remembered for his no nonsense approach to life, his love of the countryside, his dry sense of humour and his ability to set his hand to any task. He was a hardworking, much loved and unique individual and will be sadly missed. He leaves behind a wife, two step daughters, six grandchildren, six great grandchildren and his beloved dog, Charlie.”

Notes for editors:
A copy of the picture is available on request. Please contact David Paull on 01865 846699.

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