I had the privilege of meeting Dunc on several occasions through Will Gleave, all of which were memorable.

Two occasions stand out:

When Kate Gleave and myself were setting off on our travels in 2000, Will brought Dunc to our leaving party in Leicester which was naturally a riot. I remember him justifying his newly acquired crinkled shirt in the face of our Northern jipes. That night Dunc made friends with our closest and dearest, danced like a madman and became an honorary member of the boys!

Another occasion was when Dunc invited Kate and I to his house in Leeds when Will and the gang were visiting. I fully anticipated seeing drunken students and loud music (as it was in my day!) so it came as a surprise when Dunc answered the door and invited us in for a curry! On entering the kitchen I saw the gang carefully cutting veg and meat and minding the rice didn't cook too long. Seeing them together, laughing and joking, tending to the food rather than the booze, with the comfort that only strong friendships can bring, was great. I remember turning to Kate and saying how refreshing it was to see and how much I admired the tight friendship of all in the room, and also how I wished that I had been lucky enough to have had friends like these from such an early age.

In my experience Dunc was everything that you all have said, energetic, entertaining and above all honest, loyal and easygoing. On Will's birthday at Xmas Dunc invited Kate and I to Japan to see the "great life" he had out there. I recall hugging him goodbye and saying we would do that and one day I hope we do. Dunc will be missed greatly.

All the best Dunc and see you sometime.

Steve