Former staff member and Honorary Fellow, Dr David Hilling MBE, sadly passed away on 27 March, aged 85.

David joined the Department of Geography at Bedford College in 1966 and was Acting Head of Department at the time of the Department’s move to the Egham campus of Royal Holloway and Bedford New College in 1985. David’s research, teaching and publications focused on maritime transport geographies, ports and waterways, and the geographies of development in Africa, especially West Africa. After retiring in 1996 David continued to play a hugely active role as an Honorary Fellow of Royal Holloway. He was appointed an MBE in the 2004 New Year’s Honours List for services to Inland Waterways.

David died peacefully at home and is survived by his wife, Wendy, and his two sons Hugh and Christopher, to whom we offer our heartfelt condolences. We were privileged to have him as part of our community for so many years and he will be greatly missed by many.