Thomas Iles
One of the two authors for the first book on African Cichlids sold in the pet trade and the only book on African cichlids for some years.
Here is the obituary Ken Lazara wrote:
"Thomas Derrick Iles (1927-2017)
We regret news of the passing of British fisheries biologist and ichthyologist T. D. Iles on 25 December 2017. And we regret learning of his passing just last week. Iles is immortalized in the names of two Malawiian fishes:
• The clariid catfish Bathyclarias ilesi Jackson 1959, named for Iles’ “keen interest” in clariid systematics, and for collecting holotype and drawing Jackson’s attention to it.
• The cichlid Copadichromis ilesi Konings 1999, named for Iles’ 1960 paper on the “Utaka” cichlids of Lake Malawi (see below).
Born in Wales, Iles played rugby during his undergraduate years. His prowess at outside half helped him get into Christ’s College at Cambridge (which, not coincidentally, won the national academic rugby championship the following year). After university he worked for the British government’s Joint Fishery Research Organization studying the cichlids of Lake Malawi, home to more fish species than any other lake in the world, including over 700 endemic cichlids. He focused on a group of small haplochromines with a protractile upper jaw that extends outwards when the lower jaw is depressed. In 1960, he published a seminal paper in which he described 10 new species, all of which remain valid today.
In 1972, Iles collaborated with British carcinologist, ecologist and ichthyologist Geoffrey Fryer (b. 1927) to write the book “Cichlid Fishes of the Great Lakes of Africa: Their Biology and Distribution.” First published in Scotland and then republished by T.F.H. Publications in America, the book is credited with bringing the world’s attention to the spectacular diversity of cichlid fishes in East Africa’s great rift lakes (Victoria, Tanganyika, Malawi).
In 1963, Iles moved back to England, where he studied herring of the North Sea at the Biological Station in Lowestoft. Then in 1969 he settled in St. Andrews, New Brunswick, Canada, where he worked for several decades at the St. Andrews Biological Station helping to protect the herring industry of the Bay of Fundy. A tremendous source of pride for Iles were his three children, each of whom was born in one of the different continents where he had worked.
T. D. Iles passed peacefully on Christmas Day 2017. He joined his wife of 59 years, who passed earlier that same year in March. Christmas was also her birthday."
Here is the
obituary written by the Iles family:
ILES, Thomas "Derrick"
Posted Dec 27, 2017 9:55 PM
DERRICK ILES
T Derrick Iles passed peacefully on Christmas Day with his loving daughter Sian Elizabeth at his side.
After an amazing life of 90 years on three continents, he joined his wife of 59 years, Christine Llewelyn on her birthday. How fitting.
Born into a loving family in Canton, Cardiff, Wales in the UK, "Poppy" started his long education at the Cardiff School for Boys. Supported by his parents Jim and Edith and his siblings John, Audrey and Terry he continued to learn at University of Wales in Cardiff.
Nipper Iles was a renown Welsh rugby player who suited up for Cardiff, Llanelli and the Welsh Academical's. His prowess at outside half partially was responsible for him gaining acceptance to Christ's College at Cambridge. It was no coincidence that Christ College won the national academic rugby championship the next year.
He became a scientist for the British government and studied the Cichlid fish of Lake Malawi in Nyasaland. He wrote an academic book with Dr Geoffrey Fryer "The Cichlid Fish of the Great Lakes of Africa", a staple text for fresh water fish biology.
He met his wife, Christine Llewelyn, (daughter of Merlyn and Rachel, sister to Marlene and Margery)on leave from Africa. They married and traveled back to Nyasaland where Sian Elizabeth was born. Many wonderful years were spent by the three in the beautiful country.
Dad travelled back to the UK with his young family and studied herring of the North Sea at the Biological Station in Lowestoft England. David Llewelyn was welcomed to the family.
After several years, the Iles lept across "The Pond" and landed in St Andrews NB Canada. This would be their long term Home. Derrick worked several decades at the St Andrews Biological Station and successfully protected the Herring industry of the Bay of Fundy which still thrives.
Nearly exactly 11 years after her brother, Rhiannon Victoria strode confidently into the world. Third child. Third continent.
The Iles family thrived in Canada. Poppy and Nana welcomed grandchildren Caitlin, David, Erin, Allison, Patrick, Jack and Rhys into the fold. Many visits to St Andrews were enjoyed by all. Just over a year ago great grandson James was born to everyone's delight.
Eleanor Brewster and Yvonne Iles cared for Nana and Poppy in their senior years in St Andrews. Thank you Eleanor and Yvonne.
Christine and Derrick lived their last three years in the loving comfort of "Parklands at the Gardens" in Halifax. Thanks to Erin, Sian, David Lawrence, Allison M, Princy, Melissa, Karen, Leisa, Amy, Arzu, Aman, Jackie, Kiran, Alison and Dominique for caring so well for them in their golden years.
Derrick and Christine had 59 amazing years together, and they are now together again, starting on her birthday.
A Memorial service and reception will be held on Saturday December 30 at 10:00am at All Saints Cathedral in the Great Hall, 1330 Cathedral Ln, Halifax, NS (use side entrance)
