Somerset Editor of SDNQ 1977-2001.
Born 31 December 1924.
Died 2001.
Obituary (SDNQ, vol.35, part 354, p.49, September 2001)
Derek Shorrocks (1924-2001). A Lancashire man, Derek was educated at Manchester Grammar School and then, after war service, at St John’s College, Cambridge where he gained a first class degree in classics. A diploma in archive administration at Liverpool University led to posts in the Essex and Kent Record Offices before moving to Somerset in 1957 as Assistant County Archivist. Promoted to the senior in 1978 he retired in 1988. His strengths lay in the interpretation and understanding of archives to which he brought the perfect balance of intellectual rigour and common sense. His discovery of the way the archives of the manor of Taunton Deane could be used for property history and his work on the court records in the diocesan archives, two of the most intractable series in the Somerset Record Office, stand as lasting tributes to his abilities. For the Somerset Record Society he contributed a calendar of medieval deeds of the Bath area at short notice to make what would have been a slim volume into a more substantial edition and, in 1997, and innovative edition of a bishop’s visitation book and clerk of the peace’s order book from the 1590s. However, it is as Somerset Editor of this journal that Derek made his most significant contribution to Somerset studies. Appointed in 1977 he brought to the post a profound knowledge of archival sources and a conscientiousness which ensured that the standard of contributions was consistently high across the wide range of subjects covered. His comments and advice, always well thought and constructive, were delivered with a dry sense of humour. Derek always liked to have a piece of his own in reserve in case copy was short. His fortune as editor in this being a rare occurrence may be our loss judging by the quality of his own contributions. He was always aware of the full title of the journal and was always keen to publish queries, as well as notes, and their responses thus establishing a dialogue between contributors which is the sign of a flourishing publication. Although robbed of good health for much of his retirement Derek’s dedication and determination ensured that he fulfilled his office throughout to the very best of his ability. In this, as throughout his professional life, he received the full support of his wife Patricia, who with their children, provided the chief focus of his life and to whom we send our deepest sympathy.
STEVE HOBBS.
Publications
D.M.M. Shorrocks, Studies in Somerset history, from local records (Bristol, 1972)
B.R. Kemp & D.M.M. Shorrocks, Medieval deeds of Bath and district (Somerset Record Society, 1974)
D.M.M. Shorrocks, Staplegrove church, its rectors and first rectory (Staplegrove Local History Society, 1988)
D.M.M. Shorrocks, The church of St. John the Evangelist, Staplegrove: a guide and outline history (Staplegrove PCC & Staplegrove Local History Society, 1992)
D.M.M. Shorrocks, Your Somerset house: how to trace the history of your house at the Somerset Record Office (Taunton, 1998)
D.M.M. Shorrocks, Bishop Still’s visitation 1594; and the ‘Smale Booke’ of the clerk of the peace for Somerset 1593-5 (Somerset Record Society, 1998)
D.M.M. Shorrocks, ‘The Somerset Election of 1766’, SDNQ Vol.33, pt.339, March 1994, pp.267-273.
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