In memoriam: Derrick Armstrong 1949 -2013 RIP

Derrick’s membership of STORM (Support the Oldham Rochdale Manchester rail line)began in the organisation’s early years, so early that the actual date is lost in the distant past, but suffice it to say that it was a long membership. It was also a productive membership, for as well as involving himself enthusiastically in the whole gamut of STORM’s activities; Derrick took on the role of producing the organisation’s train running statistics - an onerous task.

Beginning with the manual analysis of travellers’ logs of their journeys, he developed a computerised system which was so suitable for its task that today and largely unchanged, it survives, and is used monthly.

In its early days, many more logs were submitted than is the case today and he used to spend many hours in the monthly cycle, even using his lunch breaks at work to input the data.

Printing and distribution followed, necessitating his attendance at every STORM meeting. Later the task was taking up so much of his time that he asked for and received the assistance of two other members, which relieved the pressure on both his lunch and his home life.

Before he retired, as a daily 'Loop' commuter between New Hey (he invariably used the historical spelling) and Victoria, he had the opportunity, and took it to interact with his fellow commuters, and he had a comprehensive knowledge of the route and its problems.

His railway involvement was not confined solely to STORM, for as well as being a keen observer and photographer, he was the Northern Rail station adopter at New Hey Station until its closure, and also was a volunteer at the East Lancashire Railway where he was a signaller, firstly at Rawtenstall and Townsend Fold, but more recently at Ramsbottom.

Even during the five years of the illness which eventually claimed his life, he retained all his interests, including railways, involving himself wherever and whenever his condition allowed, although this inevitably dwindled. When he couldn’t attend monthly meetings, he never failed to ask about his fellow members, about how the meeting had gone, and whether there were any major developments.

STORM has lost a piece of its foundation.

St Thomas' Church at Newhey was full for Derrick's funeral on 15 January 2013. A total of 12 STORM members were present, including Steve Smithies, Derrick’s life long pal, who gave an excellent eulogy.

All our thoughts are with Anne and all Derrick’s family at this very sad time.