On the 20 October 2009, Allan Sinclair went to Buckingham Palace to receive his MBE from Her Majesty the Queen.

FSJ invited Allan to provide a resume of his career:

Both my grandfather and my uncle were funeral directors so it seemed natural to follow them into the profession. I decided to specialise in the art and science of embalming and enrolled at the Lear School of Embalming at Clapham, south west London in 1963. It was here that I was introduced to my first post-mortem case ably demonstrated by a fresh-faced student called Adrian Haler! My principal tutors were the late Leonard (Len) Menlove FBIE and Robert (Bob) Taylor (the father of BIE past president, Geoff Taylor).
After a year of study at the school, students were apprenticed to an experienced member of the Lear staff, and I was fortunate to be taken under the wing of the late Pat Foy. Pat taught me such a lot regarding trade embalming and I am sure that being so keen I must have tested his patience on many occasions.
I qualified as a member of the BIE in 1965 and then started work with the Lear Embalming Service as a trade embalmer. My first seven years were spent as an in-house embalmer for W Truelove & Sons at Sutton in Surrey. When I was busy I could call on the help of Peter Ball and Tony Rowlands. I have many happy memories of these years.
After leaving Lear’s I became a self-employed trade embalmer and worked closely with Terry Stowell who, after 50 years, is still a member of the BIE. Terry is now retired and lives in Carshalton, Surrey. To me he was an extremely talented embalmer who had a particular skill at the final presentation of the deceased.
I was chairman of the South Division of the BIE in 1976 and social secretary for over 20 years. I was also technical editor of The Embalmer for three years and then editor for seven.
In 1978 I was called upon to embalm the body of Kenya’s President, Jomo Kenyatta in Nairobi. I was then senior embalmer at FW Paine in Kingston, which was then owned by the Great South Group. I was also the founder and principal of the Great Southern School of Embalming.
In 1979-1980 I was National President of the BIE and in 1986 elected to membership of the Company of Fellows. In 2005 I was appointed Master Fellow of the Institute for a three year period, which is the highest honour the BIE can bestow on a Member. I am extremely proud to hold this office.
I was a member of National Council for many years and also served on the National Education Committee. I am currently a member of the text book committee, which is revising the text book. I am also chairman of the BIE Examination Authority and chairman/treasurer of the International Examinations Board of Embalmers. In addition, I am a long standing examiner for the Board, both in theory and practical examination.
I have served on the National Disaster Team attending the Lockerbie and Piper Alpha oil rig disasters.
I obtained my Diploma in Funeral Directing in May 1975 and my NAFD tutor’s certificate in March 1980. I received my BIFD tutor’s certificate in March 1980 and my wife and I ran the Diploma course for many years. I became a member of the BIFD in October 1990 and was a founder member of Region K. and secretary from 1983-1995. I was also chairman of Region K and honoured to be BIFD National President from 2004-2005. I am currently a trustee of the Institute.
I have served the community as a funeral director for over 30 years until my retirement in December 2007. During this time I have been supported by my wife Maureen, and was are proud that our son Kevin has recently been elected as second vice-president of the BIE.

Stop Press

At the time of going to press, the FSJ has learned that has received a further honour by becoming a Fellow of the British Institute of Funeral Directors. Congratulations!