IT is with great sadness that we have to report that Recorder columnist Robert Barltrop passed away on Sunday evening. Robert, 86, had been writing columns in his own brilliant style for more than 24 years and was a cornerstone of this newspaper, write

IT is with great sadness that we have to report that Recorder columnist Robert Barltrop passed away on Sunday evening.

Robert, 86, had been writing columns in his own brilliant style for more than 24 years and was a cornerstone of this newspaper, writes COLIN GRAINGER, Editor.

He died at Newham General Hospital in Plaistow after a short illness.

Bob had written more than 1,200 columns for the Recorder. They were each accompanied with excellent drawings

His encyclopedic knowledge of all areas of life, gathered during a remarkable lifetime made him such a great favourite with readers. It was a privilege to have known and worked with him,

Our thoughts are with his devoted wife Mary and her family at this sad time.