Bob published four books. The first in 1994 Faces of Pharaohs was the publication of what had been his final year project of Manchester University’s Certificate Course in Egyptology. It falls to few dissertations to make it to print, but Bob expanded his to form a book that served to position him at the heart of Egyptology. It was even a book club book of the month choice.
However, publishing a first volume is difficult, and costly. Bob revised an old approach, asking friends and family to sponsor him. In return their names would be listed in the book and they would receive a copy of the publication. The list of sponsors includes c. 15 members of Prince Maurice’s (out of a total list of 48 sponsors).
His next book Transport in Ancient Egypt soon followed in 1996. But his third saw a return the the English Civil War. O Horrable Murder: the trial, execution and burial of King Charles I is dedicated to the SK, and in particular Prince Maurice’s. A fascinating read, it demonstrates both the light touch and the thoroughness that Bob brought to his scholarship; taking the story through to the rediscovery of Charles unmarked grave and his final re-internment during the Victorian period.
At the start of the C21st Bob was able to take early retirement from his senior position in Barclays Bank, giving him the opportunity to throw himself fully in to Egyptology. 2002 saw his fourth book Fighting Pharoahs: weapons and warfare in Ancient Egypt. In the preface Bob cited his membership and experiences with the Sealed Knot as providing him with a sense of participation which he hoped to bring to the book.
Bob also ran the Ancient Egypt Picture Library, with over 30,000 images, but most significantly was editor of the magazine Ancient Egypt from 2004 to his death. This magazine is THE publication for people interested in Ancient Egypt, and placed Bob at the centre of an amazing web of contacts as he reported on the latest research and discoveries. As a result of his enthusiasm new groups sprang up across the country to promote the study of Ancient Egypt, with professionals and amateurs alike paying tribute to Bob’s scholarship, knowledge and passion. He was well known for asking the important and insightful questions at conferences that always helped move discussion, and indeed the subject, forward.
It is no exaggeration to say that his death on 10th July 2011 after a long illness, caused a great deal of sorrow not just within Prince Maurice’s but across the Egyptological community. He had a natural joi de vivre that made him great company. Bob was someone who oozed knowledge, and was a joy to learn from. He inspired many, and leaves the legacy not only of a Sealed Knot regiment, perhaps without parallel in the make up, and cohesion, of its members, but also an expanded community of people interested in, and informed about, Ancient Egypt.
It is sad to reflect that if granted a longer time, Bob would have gone on to achieve even more. The world is, quite simply, a poorer place without his presence.