Remembering Peter Carrick: Tribute to much-respected journalist, author and D-Day veteran

Peter Carrick in 2002. Picture: Carrick family (Image: Archant)

Peter Carrick, who worked for Spirella in Letchworth before starting PR and publications firm Peter Carrick Associates, wrote more than 30 published books – including biographies of Pierce Brosnan, Barbra Streisand, Mel Gibson and Bob Hope.

He lived in the garden city for more than half a century before spending his last six years in Clifton, where he and his wife Brenda moved to be closer to family. He died at New Meppershall Care Home on August 28.

Peter’s daughter Debbie Bailey has told the Comet that her father’s love for the written word grew out of his childhood in Hull, growing up above one of his father’s two newsagent shops.

“Living above the shop and helping with newspaper deliveries and sales, gave him a life-long love of newsprint and the written word,” said Debbie.

“He was in the army during the Second World War and took part in the D-Day landings – then, after the war, he studied journalism at night school.”

Peter worked as a freelance journalist, writing for Melody Maker and the NME, before coming to Letchworth in the mid-1950s to become PR manager for Spirella.

In 1971, he started his own PR and publications firm, Peter Carrick Associates – and over the next two decades became a respected figure in the North Herts business community.

Peter Carrick outside his Letchworth premises with the PCA team. Picture: Carrick family (Image: Archant)

PCA, initially based in Hitchin before moving to Letchworth’s Works Road, had a strong emphasis on the production and publication of internal newspapers and magazines – and grew to be one of the top 10 PR agencies outside London.

At its peak it employed 15 people and produced 16 newspaper and magazine titles for clients including Smith and Nephew, Unichem and the Letchworth Garden City Corporation.

Peter was also active in Letchworth Rotary and the Letchworth Arcadians, and was a regular contributor to the Comet.

He began as author alongside his business, initially ghost-writing for top sportspeople of the day before starting to write under his own name.

Peter first wrote motorsports books before penning showbiz biographies. He also contributed to children’s annuals such as The Man from UNCLE, The Saint and Batman.

Peter sold his business – which became Aimm Ltd – in 1989, and stayed on as an associate consultant for some years before retiring.

Debbie said: “My dad was first and foremost a family man.

“After retiring, he spent many happy years with his wife Brenda – enjoying time with me and my sister Sarah, their grandchildren Adam, Chloe, Sam and Harry, and more recently their great-grandson Arthur.

“He will be greatly missed by all who knew him – such a gentleman.”

Peter’s funeral will be held at the North Hertfordshire Memorial Park and Crematorium this Wednesday, September 13, at 3pm.

His family have requested no flowers please, and advised that donations to the Alzheimer’s Society in his memory can be sent via memorygiving.com/petercarrick.