A former press photographer whose pictures helped launch a weekly newspaper more than 30 years ago has died at the age of 91.
Anthony Gregory, who was known as Greg, worked for the Harlow Star free weekly from its launch in July 1980 after previously working at the Harrow Observer, Watford Observer and Herts Advertiser.
He became a press photographer by chance after taking pictures for three days of a major disaster at Harrow and Wealdstone station in 1952 when three trains collided and his images were used by many national newspapers.
Tributes have been paid to Greg in an story in the Star following his death on 20 April from a heart attack.
Hazel, Greg’s wife of nearly 30 years, said: “He was working as a civil servant and a part-time photographer near Harrow and Wealdstone station in 1952 when three trains collided and there was the most terrible disaster.
“Of course, Greg always had his camera on him so he stayed at the station for three whole days recording every aspect of the disaster. His pictures were used by all the national newspapers.
“However, I only found out quite recently that he didn’t just take photos but helped rescue several people who were trapped in the trains. He never talked about that.”
Mike Daniell, the Star’s first editor, said: “We started the newspaper out of the back of a car – we didn’t even have premises – but when the idea was first put to me there was absolutely no doubt in my mind who was the man for the job.
“At that time we didn’t even know if the Star would last a week, but somehow Greg really took to Harlow and Harlow took to him, perhaps because of his outgoing personality. He was exceptionally good at making people he had never met before feel at ease.”
The paper, which is now part of Local World, soon moved into small premises where Greg developed his pictures in a tiny darkroom nicknamed “The Tardis”.
Wendy Nottage, who became Star news editor in 1981, added: “Greg was unique. He was funny, brave, determined and often downright outrageous, but he always came back with brilliant shots…and he never missed a deadline.
“Greg is still the best photographer I have ever worked with.”
Greg started his working life as a signal box lad and he served with the RAF during the Second World War in England and India.
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Sad news indeed.
I remember Greg from when I was a cub reporter on the Herts Ad in 1978 and the white-knuckle rides in his car with the driver’s window wound down so he could offer encouragement to other less able road users.
But an assignment with Greg was more than learning endlessly imaginative ways to link expletives.
Greg was a press photographer to the tip of his shutter finger and whether it was herding a hall full of excited schoolchildren, a recalcitrant bull at the County Show or reassuring a grieving mother (when papers did death knocks) he was a master at getting THAT picture.
By being in the wrong place at the right time, on a chair, up a ladder or on a wall he was the enemy of protocol, stage-managed PR events and pompous officialdom. Mayors, Dukes and Duchesses, film stars and even royalty bent to his will.
He was in the right place at the right time – dining in a restaurant yards away and with his camera (naturally) when an IRA bomb detonated in the centre of St Albans in 1991.
Greg had a sometimes volcanic temper usually aimed at those who fell below what he regarded as professional standards, but he was also a deep well of advice for young photographers and reporters.
He was a character, among many in the ‘good old days’ of local newspapers (though I remember hearing they had long gone when I joined the business!).
I can see him arriving in a hurry at the pearly gates, camera in hand then pushing St Peter and the angels into line – ‘Say sex – because it is better than cheese!’
For a superb tribute to Greg by former Herts Ad colleague Richard Burton (and a window on life on local newspapers 30 plus years ago) please see: http://burtonra.blogspot.co.uk/
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