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Mike Guilfoyle 1955-2023 – the engaging conversationalist with a deep knowledge of military history and criminal justice

by Tony December 1, 2023
December 1, 2023
MIke Guilfoyle 1955-2023

Mike Guilfoyle, a local historian, writer, podcaster, longtime supporter of the Friends of Brockley and Ladywell Cemeteries and inveterate taphophile was an enthusiastic and prolific contributor to Ladywell Live with a steady stream of insights into the characters that played a part in the history of Ladywell and Lewisham.

Mike died at home on Sunday November 19 after a long illness. Anthony, a close friend of Mike and his wife Nana, recalls an engaging conversationalist and remembers their shared interest in criminal justice and military history.

I first met Mike as I was walking up the Charing Cross Road with a friend. This was more than 20 years ago and his wife Nana had gone to meet him for a date.

 I seem to remember as we passed by we acknowledged each other with a knowing wink. Nana, who seemed to think Mike was a ringer for Bill Clinton, says we were introduced. 

Having an interest in criminal justice, military history and drink, Mike and I soon bonded.

Mike had an inexhaustible fund of anecdotes about some of the old and not so old lags and recidivists (see his blog on “centre for crime and justice studies”). 

I was always amazed that I never (very often!) heard the same anecdote repeated.

Mike was always at his best when engaging in conversation with people – any people. The phrase “talking the hind legs off a donkey” comes to mind, in a good way.

Best found in a pub environ, any pub would do. In the old probation days it was a boozer in Baker Street –  more recently the Ladywell tavern. 

Never short of a topic, sometimes I would interject a “googly” into the conversation – “Mike what are your thoughts on AI and its implications for the future of the human race?”

Mike’s usual technique if he didn’t want to engage was a bemused look. He would then change the subject to his beloved Man United, football hooligans  or military history. 

If it was a long session and just the two of us, we may drift into the “does God exist” territory.

 Him a Catholic and me agnostic – at best it was never resolved but it would lead to many pints and an acceptance to live and let live.

I would regularly agree to accompany him to events through his criminal justice network. 

Annual charity bashes, lectures –  all ending with free endless canapés and red wine. No elbow twisting needed. 

We met characters from both sides of the criminal spectrum all of whom knew Mike well.

About seven years ago we decided to form a pub quiz team, and The Brockley Badgers were born. 

Mike’s specialist subjects, sport, religion (never a question in seven years) and as he would say knowledgeable b******s. 

We would regularly attain the heights of “mid-table mediocrity“ – still you’ve got to try.

All in all, it was a pleasure to have known Mike. He was “a jolly good chap”.

FoBLCLadywellLocal HistoryMike Guilfoyle
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