Forever Keele 21 to speak about war and encourage honest reflection so that lessons can be learned . David believed that British military force should be used ethically , and that soldiers should be accountable for their actions , which should be instilled in them by their officers .
David served as Captain and Regimental Signals Officer during the Falklands conflict of 1982 and was tasked to write a history of the Second Battalion , The Parachute Regiment , upon his return to the UK . His account was the basis of Major General John Frost ' s book , 2 Para in the Falklands ; and it is still consulted by all those wanting to understand what the battalion did in the Falklands . David also served in Northern Ireland , commanding 2 Para in South Armagh . A highly respected commander , he also spent six years in the Ministry of Defence as technical sponsor for counter-terrorism and Special Forces , and undertook two brief tours in Afghanistan as counterinsurgency advisor to HM Ambassador . He was awarded an MBE and OBE for services to counter-terrorism .
The Army sponsored David ’ s International Relations degree at Keele , which he completed with first class honours in 1981 . Dr Lorna Lloyd , Honorary Senior Research Fellow at Keele said : “ When David applied to Keele , it was the University ’ s practice to interview all mature students . It fell to my lot to interview David . He was such an excellent candidate there was never any question about his being offered a place . It was , rather , a matter of encouraging him to come to Keele without letting him know I intended very strongly to recommend his admission .”
David wrote and spoke widely on the British Army ; and came back to Keele on several occasions to speak to International Relations and Politics students about his experiences in the Falklands war , as well as spending some time as an associate research fellow at Keele .
After retirement David raised over £ 10,000 for the Ulysses Trust by undertaking a paper round in the village where he lived . He is survived by his wife , his two brothers and two sisters .
Kay Gillian Goodman Nee Williams ( Biology and English , Class of 2000 )
Fellow alumnus Paul Wilder recalls Kay :
" I had been heading up the Keele SF & F Society for a decade when Kay first arrived and she quickly got involved helping me run it . Seeing her ability and us getting on so well I offered her a senior volunteer role in Omega LRP - a new live role-playing festival event I was helping set up , and we worked closely together for five years , before we both went on and staffed the LRP system that succeeded it . We stayed good friends and as well as her admin capability and lovely sociable nature , I ’ ll most remember her great smile ."
Matthew Pennington : " I first met Kay when Paul persuaded her to help run the Games Operation Desk for our LRP game . Her company was always a pleasure , her hard work was always unwavering , and her smile was always infectious . It was an honour to have known her and a privilege to have worked with her . I shall miss her greatly ."
We ’ ll leave the last word however to Kay ’ s husband - Keele Alumnus James Goodman ( Computer Science , Class of 1998 ) who writes about his time with her :
" We met at Keele and in my final year we found ourselves giggling with each other in her room for most of a night about stepladders for the cockerels that her parents kept . From then on , we were inseparable .
" We were both involved with both Keele Live Action Society & SF & F and this set the scene for most of our life together .
" When I moved back in with my parents in the hunt for work Kay put up with long distance relationship until she could join me . From there , Kay took on various clerical jobs and the role of housewife .
" In our spare time , we continued to support larger LRP events as crew . We also got involved with the local Amateur Dramatics groups as props builders , stage crew and occasionally treading the boards . We have done many productions but two of Kay ' s proudest moments were being part of the primary fly crew for “ Peter Pan - The Panto ” and also playing the Lead Leper in the production of “ Jesus Christ Superstar ”.
" Kay was diagnosed with diabetes at Keele that , over the years , took its toll and resulted in her medical retirement from paid work . Kay did not let this slow her down . She provided weekly pub quizzes to one of our local pubs for over 4 years and in the last couple of years she became involved in politics , helping to reform the local Green party .
" Kay has been a key part of my life for the last 22 years and will leave an equally big hole in many people ’ s world ."
Keep in touch
We love to hear from our alumni , so if you have a story or memory to share please get in touch .
We are also happy to facilitate , where possible , requests to put you in touch with fellow Keelites who you may have lost contact with over the years .
To speak to the team , please email alumni . hq @ keele . ac . uk .