Lord Boyce at work

SIR – I was sad to read the obituary (November 8) of Admiral of the Fleet Lord Boyce.

For 12 years, I was his deputy when he was president of St John Ambulance (London District). I took notes of meetings and always checked that he agreed with them. Only once did he gently chide: “Second paragraph, third line, I think it ought to be s apostrophe and not apostrophe s. Otherwise perfect in all respects, as usual.”

A remarkable man who could both admonish and praise in the same sentence. May he rest in peace.

Brian Kay

London N1