Tom Chamberlain FRICS FAAV 1926-2021

It is with sadness that we have to report the death of Tom Chamberlain, former senior partner of Adkin. Tom passed away peacefully at home on the 6th January 2021 aged 93 with his wife Muriel by his side.

Born in 1926 in the market town of Wallingford in Oxfordshire, Tom attended Berkhampstead School and was then employed as an articled pupil with Bruton Knowles in Gloucester. During his time there he took an active part in the Young Farmers’ Club, serving as Secretary of the Gloucestershire Club for two years.

Following this, Tom was called up into the Royal Engineers and commissioned as a Field Engineer Officer, serving in Egypt and Sudan in the Hirings and Disposals Section of the Middle East Land Forces. After being demobilised, he completed his training at the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester (now the Royal Agricultural University) where he obtained the College Diploma in Estate Management.

Tom then began his career proper, first with C E Williams & Co in Oswestry and then with Franklin & Gale in Wallingford. During this time, Tom was elected an Associate of Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). He then moved employment again and took up a position as an assistant to Thomas Bowen with Adkin, Belcher & Bowen in Abingdon where he was elected a Fellow of the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (CAAV). Tom became a partner at Adkin in 1952 rising to the position of Senior Partner, a position he held for over 15 years, during which time the firm expanded considerably under his leadership.

Tom was a longstanding and active member of the CAAV serving on Council and as President.  Upon being proposed, he was described as a “tireless worker”, something that all those who knew him would recognise. The future of the profession was very important to Tom. As a result, he trained many young rural surveyors over the years, all of whom benefited from his tutelage and wise counsel. They were all encouraged to play an active part in the CAAV and organisations such as the Young Farmers movement. He was also an active member of Drayton & District Farming Club.

In addition to his professional career, Tom also held many positions in his community including a longstanding role in a locally based charity, Christ’s Hospital of Abingdon where he was a Governor and the Master for many years. He was also a long-term member of Abingdon Rotary Club. In such spare time as he had, he pursued his interests in orienteering and sailing.

Tom was held in high regard by his clients, fellow professionals and friends alike. He is survived by his wife Muriel, their son, two daughters and their grandchildren.