David Anthony Poole born 8 June 1938; St Aidan's House left 1956; Jesus College, Oxford (Meyricke Exhibitioner in Classics); University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (Dip Tecch Sc); Called to the Bar, Middle Temple 1968 (Bencher 1992); a Recorder 1983-95; a Judge of the High Court of Justice, Queen's Bench Division from 1995; Knighted 1995; Honorary Fellow of Jesus College, Oxford 1997; Chairman of the Association of Lawyers for the Defence of the Unborn 1985-92; Headmaster Lecture at Ampleforth about 2002; married Pauline Ann O'Flaherty 1974 (4 sons); died 18 June 2006.

David Poole was appointed a High Court Judge in 1995. The Times obituary [14 August 2006] said "he proved a judge of immense skill and ability, presiding over long and demanding trials with complete command".

After Ampleforth, David Poole won an exhibition to read Classics at Jesus College, Oxford from 1957 to 1961, and then did a post-graduate science degree at the University of Manchester in 1961 and 1962. After this, he worked in industry. He was to the Bar by the Middle Temple in 1968, and became an Qeen's Council in 1984. He concentrated on criminal cases, normally as prosecutor but also sometimes in defence. With his science background at university, he was able to master DNA technology.

In 2002 he gave a Headmasters' Lecture at Ampleforth. He was Chairman of the Association of Lawyers for the Defence of the Unborn from 1985 to 1992.

He was an oustanding rugby player both at Ampleforth and later. He played for London Irish, the Bar and the Northern Circuit.

He married Pauline O'Flaherty in 1974 and they had four sons.

OA deaths 2006

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