David started to play hockey regularly for St Albans in the late 1940s and played into the 1960s, apart from 66 games for Herts County, and one for Eastern counties, always in defensive positions.

He captained St Albans in 1952-3 and Herts County for three years as vice captain and three years as captain. He was Vice President of both clubs.

David was first introduced to hockey at the age of eight as a chorister at New College School in Oxford. He joined the Navy in 1943 with a shortened course at Edinburgh University. He played centre half and was awarded 'colours' for the season. David was selected to play for Scottish Universities against Northern England universities, but the match was cancelled. He participated in some good hockey at Skegness and an introduction to a six-a-side barracks hockey at Chatham. He was drafted to the Far East, where one game in Indonesia concluded his navel hockey career.

David taught at a boys prep school for year, where he met his future wife, the headmaster’s daughter, before a shortened five-term history degree at New College Oxford. He played for the University at left back, but latterly gave way to Dennis Carnell, the future England captain!

In his life away from hockey, David had a career as a ship broker. His other interests included tennis and he was three times winner of the Herts Veterans doubles tournament with his partner, MW Knee. He was also a Vice President of the Harpenden Tennis Club.

David and his wife lived in Wheathampstead for many years, having bought their house in a dilapidated state, unaware of its past as a medieval building belonging to Westminster Abbey. This provided them with many enjoyable years of research and restoration. They loved gardening their half an acre of grass and grew salad crops. They also kept chickens, starting with hundred day olds and then reducing to 6 very old hens, several generations on. David maintained a lifelong interest in classical music, dating back to his early days as a chorister.

He will be missed.