I WAS sorry to hear about Ron Allison (Chronicle, August 4). He was the kindest prefect when I first came across him while evacuated with Taunton's School (Southampton).

He had to put up with a lot of criticism with respect to his father, Percy Allison, who was a some what eccentric math teacher who was known for his over the top clothes, bow ties, fluffed up handkerchiefs, ruffled shirt sleeves etc.

As a reporter for the Hampshire Chronicle he covered Winchester City football club when I played for them and he praised my performance on more than one occasion, as he did for another player called Chris Williams who years later still had the cutting in his wallet!

Ron was also religious, my exposure to three different varieties of religion and the hypocrisy that went with them sent me in another direction although our group joined the Crusaders because of the different sports etc. we could play there, promoted by Ron, and the chance to go sailing with Mr Brambleby who ran the club as a sort of lay preacher. It was in a large house in Upper Shirley Avenue in Southampton.

He was a genuinely nice person.

Denis Webb,

Qualicum Beach,

Vancouver Island,

British Columbia,

Canada

I WAS saddened to read in last week's Hampshire Chronicle of the passing of Ron Allison.

As the report states "he was a true gentleman". We often bumped into one another, mainly in M&S, and we would have a chat when I would compliment him on an article he wrote for the paper. He, in turn, would advise me on various points regarding articles I was writing for the paper.

Ron was very modest despite his great achievements in life. I will always be grateful to him for the tips he gave me in writing articles.

Phil Yates,

Tower Street,

Winchester