10897      ALR 784

Born 5th May 1915 – 13th June 1998, Peter was a truly larger-than-life character in the world of Alvis cars. His initial qualifying as a Chartered Engineer was a logical preliminary to commission into the Royal Tank Regiment when war broke out in 1939. His war service included the repairing and maintenance of tanks all over North Africa and the Middle East. Along with his second wife Marianne, married in 1948, who had been a participant in the French Resistance movement, he was a colourful character in automotive circles, particularly in East Anglia. After retirement, the couple moved to Provence, where he established the small but energetic ‘ Alvis Club de France ‘ Thereafter visitors to Peter’s establishment, aptly named ‘Chateau Vilbrequin ‘ would receive a generous libation which had frequently emanated from the winery of his friend Comte Audoin de Dampierre ( one-time owner of a 3.5-litre Alvis q.v. 13129 ). Several times a year the ‘faithful’ would be treated to an edition of ‘ World Alvis News ‘ which consisted of a batch of un-numbered, un-dated Alvis-related press cuttings and information culled from  sources all over the planet. That Peter was murdered in 1998 in the course of a bungled burglary, when he had still so much knowledge ( and dry humour ) to impart to supporters remians a major tragedy.