Obituary: Chris Bartrum dies at 84

2:38pm Friday 11th April 2008

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A WITNEY man who was involved in the pioneering of the jet engine, and later became involved in local politics, has died at the age of 84.

Chris Bartrum was one of the few surviving members of The Reactionaries, coined for the team which developed the first British jet-powered aircraft in the early-1940s, at RAF Cranwell, in Lincolnshire.

He worked with Sir Frank Whittle, and seven years ago attended the last reunion of The Reactionaries, a name derived from jet propulsion being a reaction of gases and forces.

He recalled at the time that a lot of the work was 'highly secret' and given priority because of the Second World War. He added: "Testing could be dangerous. One of my pals was injured in an explosion. Looking back on it, I realise I was fortunate to play a part in many of the test flights."

One of the original E28 test aircraft is on display in London's Science Museum, and his name is among those listed inside the exhibit. Mr Bartrum, who leaves a widow, Nancy, and daughter, Anne, came to work as a lecturer in mechanical engineering at West Oxfordshire Technical College in Witney - now Abingdon and Witney College - in the mid-1960s. He retired in 1983, and became active in local politics, a founder member of West Oxfordshire's Social Democratic Party.

He was elected to Witney Town Council, and on to the district council, serving Witney East ward from 1984 to 1988. It was a significant election victory for him, campaigning almost entirely from a sick bed, and outpolling the Conservative district council chairman, George Kellow, by more than 300 votes.

He also became a county councillor for Witney North from 1985 to 1993, and led a call for a ban on blood sports, which was defeated, but in the form of a ban on foxhunting with hounds later became national law.

Mr Bartrum, often outspoken, also caused a storm when as a county councillor in 1988 he attacked the school meals service.

But he had a quieter side to him, being a member of Witney Music Society, and for 40 years a dedicated member of the West Oxfordshire Field Club. His funeral was held on Wednesday at St Mary's Church, Witney.