Obituary: Peter Poole
Written by: Cathy Kim | Posted on: August 30th, 2026
Remembering Peter Poole, former Membership Secretary of the BKS
It is with great sadness that we share the news of the death of longtime BKS member, Peter Poole, aged 94, on 7th August 2026.
Peter joined the then Anglo-Korean Society in 2002 and served for many years as Membership Secretary before stepping down in 2018 and being made a Life Member in recognition of his valuable contribution to the Society.
Remembering Peter Poole
His connection with Korea began at the age of 18 when, soon after starting his National Service, he found himself on a troop ship heading for the Korean peninsula. As a member of the Royal Military Police, he served in the Korean War for two years – an experience that stayed with him throughout his life. He was also active in the British Korean Veterans Association, serving as Korean Liaison Officer and founding the Surrey West branch in 1995.
Peter gave a lifetime of service to his local community through numerous voluntary organisations and charities. He held leadership roles in many of them, including the Royal British Legion and St John Ambulance, and founded Home Start Runnymede. He also served on Runnymede Borough Council for 12 years and was elected Mayor in 1999/2000.
He is survived by Jean, his wife of 70 years, and by their 4 children, 12 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.
On a personal note, I have very fond memories of spending a day each January in Peter and Jean’s home as we sent out subscription reminders to members of the BKS. In the early days, colleagues joined us as we printed around 180 individual letters and address labels, stuffed envelopes and stuck on stamps. In later years, as the BKS moved into the digital era, it was just Peter and me sending the reminders by email. Those sessions were always filled with good humour and companionship, helped along by cups of coffee and the lunches so kindly provided by Jean.
Cathy Kim
Former BKS Secretary
