The College has been informed of the passing of Peter Tambling by his son Michael (1978-83) who has provided the following obituary.

I have to sadly announce that my father,Captain Peter Tambling RD RNR sadly crossed the bar on 26 Oct 2026 having suffered five years of vascular dementia, he peacefully passed away at the age of 90 surrounded by his family. 

Born 6 April 1936 in Portishead. My father was a very proud Pangbournian,as I am, and it was Pangbourne that made him and his love of the sea. He excelled in seamanship and went on to build many beautiful model boats from the model boat society. His proudest moment being in guard and speaking to the Duke of Edinburgh when awarded the Seamanship and Signals prize 1953.

An excerpt from dads memoirs

“From School-boy at sea to Master and Harbour Master, Marine Superintendent, Ship Surveyor, Shipping Agent, Consultant, I have enjoyed a varied career which resulted in producing many happy days within a maritime world of Shipping and in Port Management, together with people and in places ashore or afloat.

All my ambitions and objectives when a student attending Pangbourne and Clifton College, have been accomplished. I often wonder just how many young students, who set their career objectives in their early teens, eventually rise to satisfy those ambitions.”

Peters achievements were many:

Proud member of college guard and model boat society

Studied at Clifton College, Bristol.

Weymouth Harbour Master

Master Mariner

Marine Superintendent

Skipper of Waverley and SS Shieldhall

Chairman of Paddle Steamer Preservation Society

National Coast Watch Portland

Pilot for Southampton docks and British Container Ports

Travelled the world for the Union Castle shipping line

Proud member of the Royal Dorset Yacht Club

Merchant Navy Association

Commander for the Royal Naval reserve Southampton.

He will we greatly missed

The funeral is being held at Salisbury crematorium at 3pm on Friday 20th Nov. All welcome. Please contact Mike at miketambling@gmail.com  Tel:07590 496216