Kenneth Cain, a former Times crossword compiler, died on May 28, aged 88. His grandson, Mark Tippins, has sent us a cutting from The Times written by the newspaper's then crossword editor, Brian Greer, in May 2000, which sums up Ken's contribution to the world of crosswords and also includes favourite clues, compiled by others and himself. He supplied crosswords for the newspaper for more than 13 years and was proud that he was still doing so in his eighties.

If anyone has recollections of Kenneth that they would like to share - please send them to Have Your Say below this article.

Cross Words by Brian Greer

Another of our team who will soon qualify for the Octogenarians' Club is Ken Cain, who is a retired civil servant. He started solving crosswords nearly 60 years ago and heartily endorses Ruth Crisp's belief that they prolong active mental life. During the war he served overseas as a cryptologist, which he enjoyed immensely; the link between this activity and crosswords has, of course, been well documented.

Having competed several times in The Times Championship, he decided to change his status from poacher to gamekeeper. He sent a specimen crossword puzzle to John Grant and, as a result, made his debut in 1987.

He continues to contribute to the paper twice a month and is highly unusual in that his work has appeared exclusively in The Times.

Cain is fascinated by, and enjoys, the creative challenge of dealing with seemingly intractable words, especially in handling definitions.

Among his favourite clues by other compilers are: Weapons that quicken the pulse (3-7) (a favourite of mine also), European not missed in India (8) ("for its economy", he says), and Lord of the jungle (6) (for its subtlety).

He dislikes anagrams that seem to have been forced into a straitjacket and consequently "read like crossword clues" (my own term for thse is "sore-thumb anagrams", because that is how prominently they stick out).

Cain provided us with one of the best topical clues shortly after the last election with: For No. Ten a new PM (9). His other brilliances include:

Knockabout incorporated by Laurel and Hardy (7).

Lead removed from the toy gun (5).

A rapid running out of stock (8)

Shortage of majorities to worry among Opposition (7).

Decline to put small pig with old sow (3,2,4).

Advanced with gunners, nervous and afraid of being shot (6-3).

(From The Times May 2000)

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