THE last thing Brian Ormondroyd would have wanted was a tribute paid to him, especially in the daily newspaper he believed in and supported throughout his life.

He was in so many ways the classic Yorkshire gentleman; tall, slender, dignified, unassuming, retiring, who always wore a tie, even when walking in his beloved Yorkshire dales.

He was born in Leeds in 1933. His father was an engineer who lost his job at a time of severe national unemployment. John (Brian’s father) joined the Communist Party at this time since it was the communists who were leading the fight against national poverty and deprivation.

Brian’s political experiences began at the end of the second world war at Leeds City railway station.

Anti-communist newspaper distribution companies refused to handle communist newspapers. John Ormondroyd and his son Brian would not accept this blatant attempt to isolate the the Daily Worker.

In response to this discrimination John and Brian decided to be at Leeds City railway station early every morning to collect bundles of Daily Workers for onward delivery around Leeds. Eventually the distribution company was compelled to include the Worker in its national newspaper delivery network.

Brian learned much of his politics on these early morning excursions, experiences which made him realise that the Daily Worker was an extremely important voice of the British working class; a voice which had to be protected and financially supported.

He was convinced that a significant regular income was necessary to sustain the “only national newspaper owned by its readers” and that raising money to keep the Daily Worker (later the Morning Star) in circulation was an extremely important political commitment. In this activity he led the way and was individually extremely generous.

Brian joined a large and active Leeds Young Communist League whilst a pupil at high school. After national service in the RAF he joined the Communist Party and remained a lifelong member.

On several issues he was critical of the party’s direction and policies, but as a democrat accepted the decisions of the majority. Brian had an analytical political mind and a keen wit edged with a touch of the mischievous; but always thoughtful, courteous and generous.

His early working years were in office-type employment; after marriage he changed work direction and trained for the teaching profession, which was his career until retirement. He was very active in the National Union of Teachers and served on several committees — always working to push the union towards progressive policies.

During this period his three daughters occupied much of his “spare” time as did his work in the NUT and the party.

In retirement he spent more time pursuing his lifelong hobby — photography.

He captured stunning images of the magnificent Yorkshire moors and dales, landscapes, skylines and wildlife. He visited tiny hamlets and villages taking photographs and chatting to local people. Within minutes he could be in intense discussion with a stranger, often on some political topic.

For him socialism was not just an abstract Marxist theory but an absolute necessity for the civilised future of humankind. Throughout his life he supported numerous progressive struggles and workers’ campaigns.

His principles remained unchanged from the day he fought for the survival of the Daily Worker in Leeds City Railway Station to the moment he slipped away to another place.

To a lifelong friend and comrade — “Brian, your flag stays red.”