Gordon Vaughan (1933-2006)

Dave Jenks, Society Archivist

Gordon Vaughan was born in northeast London in 1933 and lived and was educated there during World War II. He had an inherent interest in natural history and before leaving grammar school had joined the North Middlesex branch of the British Empire Naturalists Association. On leaving school he commenced office work in the City of London and spent many a lunchtime studying breeding Black Redstarts on old bombsites. While on National Service at 18 years of age he volunteered for overseas posting and was sent to the Suez Canal Zone in 1951. Here, when time allowed he was able to study bird movements on one of the main migration routes.

He returned to London in 1953 but becoming dissatisfied with life in London chose to move to Devon in 1955 and joined the DBWPS in September that year. Thus, Exeter became his home and, whilst working in the city met his future wife Joy, and they were married there in 1957. By now he had met and befriended Peter Ellicott, and they were birding together in 1964 when they identified the first Med. Gull for Devon.

His life changed in 1970 when Pied Flycatchers appeared at Belstone and he began to erect nest boxes with a view to establishing a breeding colony. By 2001 he had erected 300 boxes, which included 49 Pied Flycatcher nests! During this period he developed a keen interest in dormice and became something of a Devon authority on them. He was elected to Council in 1983 as Publicity Officer. He held this office for two years before moving to Sales Officer until 1988. He served as Membership Secretary (1989-1993) and Chairman of Council (2002-2003), having to stand down due to deteriorating health. He passed away 26 October 2006.