My father, Philip Mitchell, who has died aged 91, was a chemistry lecturer at Reading University and an active member of the Labour party.
Philip was born in Stratford upon Avon to Freda (nee Peacey), a domestic servant, and Charles Mitchell, a carpenter. He went to the town’s King Edward VI school and at 18 was called up to do national service. When he refused to serve on moral grounds, the authorities rejected his request to be treated as a conscientious objector and he was sent to Stafford prison for nine months.
