THE son of a man described as “as much a part of Oxford as Carfax” has written his life story after uncovering a treasure trove of personal belongings.

Richard Cole said he was fascinated by the depth of dad Raymond Buxton Cole’s connections to Oxford after finding boxes of photographs, press clippings and letters.

Mr Cole, known as ‘Bunny’, was a former deputy lieutenant of Oxford, solicitor and founder of the Oxford Sports Team. He died in 1991.

His son, 73, has now used the personal archive to publish Bunny Cole: An Oxford Man.

He said: “After my parents died, there was an army of boxes of paperwork left behind and I didn’t know what to do with them.”

Mr Cole, of Kenilworth, Warwickshire, began looking through the boxes when he retired as a circuit judge.

He said: “When you walked down the street with him, you couldn’t get more than a few yards before he’d have to stop to talk to someone.”

His father was born in Blue Boar Street in 1904 and attended Bedford House School.

During the war, he commanded British troops in the Battle of the Admin Boxbattle in Burma, earning a Distinguished Service Order for his actions.

Mr Cole said: “My father would never talk about the war. The only person he would talk to was my son, who was an officer in the Army, soldier to soldier.”

While at war, tragedy struck when Bunny’s three-year-old son Peter was knocked down and killed on his way to school.

Mr Cole said: “The trauma of a father out in India and unable to get back, and a mother at home beside herself with grief, must have been unimaginable.

“But my father just adored Oxford. When he came back, he set himself on a mission to do something for Oxford and everyone who lived there.”

Bunny was married to Edith for 55 years. She died in 1996.

They had three children John, Rosemary and Richard and two grandchildren.

Former Lord Mayor of Oxford, Percy Bromley, once said: “Bunny Cole is as much a part of Oxford as Carfax.”

The book is published by The Memoir Club.

Managing director Lynn Davidson said: “What makes this book special is that it is based mainly on first hand, original sources.

“It is an inspiring story, lovingly assembled by its author and we think it serves as a fitting tribute to someone who did so much for his country and his community in Oxford.”

To order a copy call 0191 3735660.

rpope@oxfordmail.co.uk