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Former newspaper photographer loses leukaemia battle

A photographer who worked on his local newspaper for 40 years and was awarded an MBE for his services to the county has died from leukaemia at the age of 76.

Former Lincolnshire Echo photographer Peter Washbourn MBE died in hospital on 25 March. He had massive organ failure due to leukaemia, having been given the diagnosis less than a fortnight earlier.

He wrote a column for the Echo, then a daily titile, for ten years following his retirement in 1996, becoming known as the king of echo nostalgia.

In a tribute piece in the latest edition of the Echo, Peter is described by his son Martin as ‘to Lincoln what David Attenborough is now to natural history.’

Peter Brown, formerly the Echo’s Gossiper columnist said: “Peter was one of the most dedicated and accomplished photographers I have ever known.

“We worked with one another at the Lincolnshire Echo for something like 35 years and I used to marvel at his knowledge and achievements.

“He was a great local historian and this was reflected in the many bygone articles and books he wrote for the Echo.

“Peter will be remembered with affection for a long time to come.”

Peter was made an MBE in the 2003 New Year Honours’ list in recognition of his services to Lincolnshire.

He was involved in the Lincoln Asthma Swimming Club, Lincoln Civic Trust, the Lincoln Beevor Band organisation and Lincoln Roller Skating Club.

Mike Sassi, editor of the Echo between 1999 and 2007, said: “As journalists we had the utmost respect for him.

“He was at the frontline of press photography for many years and then came back as a freelance writer in retirement.

“He was a lovely fellow who was very popular around the city and he was hugely knowledgeable.

“Had I ever been a contestant on Who Wants to be a Millionaire? and a question came up about Lincoln, he would have been my phone a friend.”

Peter is survived by his wife Patricia, 69, daughters Sarah Washbourn, 36, a photographer at the Sheffield Star, and Jo-Ann Davey, 41, sons Martin, 47, Andrew, 46, and Ian, 44, and five grandchildren.

Patricia told the Echo that it was Peter’s birthday on the Saturday before he died but he was so ill he couldn’t open his cards.

The couple would have celebrated 50 years of marriage next September.

A funeral  service will be held at noon on Monday 16 April at St Swithin’s Church, St Swithin’s Square, Lincoln, followed by Lincoln Crematorium at 1pm.

 

4 comments

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  • April 3, 2012 at 12:18 pm
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    Terribly sad news what a great guy he was – a credit to his family, the city of Lincoln and the industry as a whole! RIP

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  • April 3, 2012 at 3:41 pm
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    So sad. I lost a lovely colleague aged 50 to this. That premership footballer faces a tough battle, away from the cheers of the crowd. I wish him all the luck in the world and anyone else facing the same ordeal.

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  • April 3, 2012 at 3:52 pm
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    This is my Granddad, i am so proud of him and everything he has done! So awful the way we lost him, but at least he’s not in any more pain! Rest in Peace Grandad!

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  • April 18, 2012 at 2:07 pm
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    Just read this very sad news. I knew Pete for two years at the end of the nineties and what a lovely fella he was too. My heartfelt thoughts to those close to him.

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