Sir Alastair Frederick Down, Kt, OBE, MC (1914-2004)
Michael Rhodes
PLC 1975-83, died 22 October, 2004. He was aged 90.
Alastair Frederick Down was born 23 July, 1914, the son of Frederick
Edward Down by his wife Margaret Isobel Hutchison, and was educated at
Edinburgh Academy, and Marlborough College.
Career: He was commissioned into the 7th/9th Battalion, The Royal Scots
(Territorial Army) 1935; Chartered Accountant, 1938; joined the
British Petroleum Company Ltd in Palestine, 1938; Served in the Second
World War 1939-45 (was mentionded in despatches twice; awarded the MC,
MBE, OBE, Knight Commander, Order of Orange Nassau, with swords, 1946);
served in the Middle East, North Africa, Italy, and Holland with the
Eighth Army and 1st Canadian Army as Lieutenant-Colonel and full
Colonel; rejoined BP in Iran in 1945, was Head of Office, 1947-54;
Canada 1954-62 (Chief Representative of BP in Canada 1954-57);
President, BP Group in Canada, 1957-62; President, BP Oil Corporation,
1969-70; Managing Director, 1962-75; and Deputy Chairman 1969-75, BP
Co. Ltd; Director: TRW Inc. USA, 1977-86; Director, Scottish American
Investment Co, 1980-85; Member, Review Body for pay of doctors and
dentists, 1971-74; Chairman, Council of Marlborough College, 1982-87;
Hon Treasurer, Field Studies Council, 1977-81; FRSA 1970, &c.
He was awarded the MBE in 1942; OBE 1944; MC 1940; TD 1951; and
knighted in 1978.
Sir Alastair married in 1947, Bunny Mellon, by whom he had two sons,
and two daughters.
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Michael Rhodes