Local London | Wandsworth | News | www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/local_london/wandsworth/news/(posted 7998 days ago)Conservationist loses cancer fight
Battersea lost one of its most energetic and knowledgeable conservationists on May 8.Brian Charles Frank Mist, "an old fashioned, amateur naturalist", died at the age of 65 from lung cancer.
In his later years Brian would spend four hours a day in Battersea Park, arriving at dawn with his wife and childhood sweetheart, Rosie, and creating exhaustive records of flora and fauna.
His passion for nature was sparked during World War II at the age of seven, when he stumbled on a deserted moorhen's nest during evacuation to Worpleston in Surrey.
He met Rosie Gale at the age of 15 but he added a couple of years to his age as Rosie was 17.
They married in St Mark's Church, Kennington, in 1957 and enjoyed a 44-year marriage. Brian, who died at Trinity Hospice, also leaves a son, Bradley.
Entirely self-taught, the conservationist could recognise all birds simply by their song.
In 1988 he was the driving force behind a campaign to preserve the trees and bushes on Heron Island, Battersea Park.
The authorities were finally persuaded to leave the trees alone and this year the island was home to more than 20 heron nests - a living testament to Brian's commitment.
As a founder member of the London Wildlife Trust, he shared his knowledge through group tours and lectures. Brian also conducted surveys of common land in Bexley, Crystal Palace and Battersea.
May 24, 2002 13:30
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