Norman Willis, the former general secretary of the Trades Union Congress, and a former president of the Arthur Ransome Society, passed away earlier this month at the age of 81.

Born in Hayes, Middlesex, Mr Willis led the TUC at what was arguably the most turbulent period of the trades unions' history, becoming the general secretary in the middle of the 1984 miners' strike. He took an early retirement in 1993 at the age of 60.

From 2000 to 2009 Norman Willis was the president of the Arthur Ransome Society, having been a lover of Ransome's books since he was a boy, as recounted in recent anecdote by the Society's Peter Hyland:

"(He) used to tell how as a boy he borrowed ‘Swallows and Amazons’ from his local library. He was enchanted by it and was broken-hearted when he had finished it, as he thought that was the end of it all. When he took it back to the library, the librarian asked “Have you read ‘Swallowdale’?” 

“You mean there’s another one???” gasped Norman."

Another anecdote from Paul Crisp, also a member of the Arthur Ransome Society, shows Norman Willis' love of stories about from his period of National Service, as well as his time at the TUC:

"Apparently, when travelling on TUC business he used to prefer to have a railway comprtment to himself so that he could spread out his papers. He said that if anyone tried to come in, he would smile at them in a slightly maniacal way and say "Oh, I'm so pleased we're going to share this journey together." Invariably the incomer would beat a hasty retreat.

"Another he told of his National Service in the Army during the extreme winter of 1947/8. His platoon had to dismantle wooden huts at a large war-time Army base. Coal was rationed and everyone else was always shivering. At the end of the task (which was also the end of Norman's service), the Sergeant-Major said to him, "I don't know how you kept that hut so warm. I counted all the sacks of coal and there was none missing."

"Ah," replied Norman," but did you count the wooden huts?"

"Norman was kind, gentle, unstuffy and got on with everybody."

Peter Willis, former Chairman of the Nancy Blackett Trust, also paid the following tribute:

"As President of the Arthur Ransome Society, Norman had the difficult job of succeeding Brigit Sanders, but he approached the role with his characteristic geniality, buoyant good humour and a rich fund of anecdotes that exemplified his relaxed, ironic attitude to life. 

He was always excellent company, a great speaker at meetings – including at least one Nancy Blackett Trust AGM. He was always a staunch and enthusiastic supporter of Nancy Blackett, happy to step aboard, but he drew the line at actually going for a sail."

Norman Willis passed away peacefully on 7th June, and a private family funeral held for him at Woking Crematorium on 18th June.

Norman Willis on Nancy Blackett at Bucklers Hard in 2001. Photo: Peter Willis