"I echo the words of Peter Wilkinson. Well, I having worked in that network group for some years, interacted with Les informally in the work environment over some decades and then, in the 1990s, worked more directly under him in CSU, I really got to know the man. His personality was huge. You couldn't help but like him; he always had a smile and a joke (often awful joke) to tell. Technically, highly gifted too. After Les, myself and others left NPL I only ever bumped into him occasionally, here in Hampton, usually on my way to the doctor's (as by then I'd acquired several debilitating medical conditions), but we'd always stop for a chat. Yeh, like Peter W., I don't think I'll ever forget Les. I'm terribly saddened by his passing. Far too soon. Peter Neale."

Les Pink was a colleague of mine at NPL before we both retired some years ago. Whats more, he was a good friend, always cheerful, always ready for a joke and a laugh, always looking on the bright side. I shall really miss him. After we retired from 'the lab' the old NPL network team, of which Les was one of the original members, used to meet up for the occasional pint - Roger Scantlebury, Keith Bartlett, myself, Derek Barber (sometimes), Brian Aldous and of course Les. It has been sad to see our numbers dwindle but the memories of the NPL network and the development of packet switching (on which the Internet itself is of course based) will live on. Les was a key member of the network hardware team and as an experienced electronic engineer he was always full of good ideas, as well as his unstoppable humour, which kept everyone going. Indeed, Les' history at NPL stretches back before the Net as he worked on the original ACE computer, one of the earliest, designed (in part at least) by none other than Alan Turing. Les was the salt of the earth and I shall never forget him. My sympathy and best wishes to Monica and all of his family. Peter Wilkinson

We sincerely appreciate all the kind messages and generous contributions to the Stroke Association. Many thanks to all that have contributed to the tribute so far.