Is Barry Plimmer still with us?
Graham Altern - a man who was closer to the surface than most of us
. Those who knew him will be aware that his lack of altitude was a matter of great personal sensitivity.
When I was working for IAL at one of their UK bases, a colleague who had been hankering for an overseas posting for ages was finally summoned to see the Short One at Southall.
The day before the interview, said chap's wife had to rush off to attend to her ill mother, so he had to take his 9 year old daughter with him.
Upon arrival, Graham insisted that the daughter could join them in his office, he even lent her one of his colouring books and she was as good as gold throughout the the interview.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the daughter very politely thanked Graham for letting her stay in his office with Daddy in a manner which could only come out of the mouths of babes:
"thank you very much Mr Altern , I've had a lovely time...... there is just one thing...... you are little aren't you...."
Cue much gathering of coats and embarassed mumblings from Daddy.
(He did get the job by the way
).