In memory of Eon Productions employee Reginald Barkshire

By: Anders Frejdh

Published:
2018-01-03

FSWL mourns the passing of long-time friend and supporter Reg Barkshire, British-born economist (like yours truly) with seven James Bond films on his resume including all of Roger Moore's 007 screen adventures. Our thoughts now go to Reg's family and friends.

Reginald Barkshire, or just Reg to his friends, died on 23 December 2017 in Pinner (Middlesex) aged 87 but the news of his passing only just reached us.

Reg, perhaps unknown to most Bond fans, was a key figure behind the scenes of the Bond films as he started off working in the South Audley Street office of Eon Productions in London as an assistant to legendary producer Albert R. Broccoli. He held this position for many years, but it wasn't until The Man with the Golden Gun (1974) that he was officially credited as "Assistant to the Producers" even though we also know he assisted Director Guy Hamilton during the making of that film.

After The Man with the Golden Gun, he rose through the ranks and officially acted as Production Controller for the following six James Bond films - The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), Moonraker (1979), For Your Eyes Only (1981), Octopussy (1983), A View to a Kill (1985) and The Living Daylights (1987).

Always friendly and appreciative of Bond fans, Reg fondly remembered his work on the series with love. He will be missed by us at FSWL and the Bond community at large.

In Reg's retirement, he helped out at his local doctors surgery with their patients association, to transport patients to hospitals and other medical appointments. Any donations are appreciated, payable to EHMC Patients Association (Registered charity number: 1048910) and should be sent to the undertakers who will receive donations for up to 6 weeks.

Reg is survived by wife Margery, three children (David, Andrew and Mandy) and four grandchildren. (The funeral is going to be very private and just for family members.)

Legendary director John Glen remember Reg:

"Janine and I were very sorry to hear of Reg's passing. We go back a long way and it was partly through him that I met Janine as she worked for him many years ago.
On Octopussy I needed someone to teach Tina Hudson to drive. She was 17 and the prospect of driving a Range Rover seemed very daunting. However, Reg spent most of the day teaching her to drive in Black Park, behind Pinewood Studios. A pleasant distraction for Reg I am sure. He did a good job as she managed to drive, wave, lift her skirt and not crash in to the camera car!"

Legendary producer Anthony Waye commented:

"I only met Reg briefly on a few occasions, he rarely came to the studios as he was a corporate man and not involved in the production of the film. I remember he was a pleasant man, a quiet backroom boy who mainly dealt with the Producers."

Legendary special effects maestro John Richardson commented:

"Very sad as I have known Reg for close to 40 years. He was always a good friend and a Gentleman. One of the Old School who was a pleasure to work with."

Doug Redenius, co-founder of The Ian Fleming Foundation, wrote:

"Such sad news. Reg was a wonderful man. I first met Reg at the London office of Eon Productions back in 1987 thanks to Jerry Juroe. We became good friends and I'm so sorry I didn't keep in touch more with him over the years. He introduced me to "Cubby" in those offices and arranged for me and my family to take a tour of Pinewood while we were over for The Living Daylights premiere that year. As the production controller back then he was surrounded by many wonderful people who all worked together on most of the Roger Moore era films. I will miss Reg very much. During our last visit together at Pinewood back in the early 2000's, it was like seeing an ole' family member. My deepest sympathies go out to his family."

Photo on top
Reg Barkshire at Pinewood Studios in July 2007. Photo by Jean Goyette. Copyright From Sweden with Love.

For more about Reg Barkshire's career in the film industry, check out his IMDB profile.

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