I am deeply shocked to find this out only now' David is my God Father & after a fall out with my father Christopher Strong back in 1992' I haddnt heard from David' When I reconnected again with my father, he had moved to soth west rocks & was no longer working with David' David was an Amazing man & I think of the times we spent when I was young often, as he was such a positive influence in my life & I will never forget him' My thoughts & strength go out to his family' Kindest Regards

I met David in Armidale, when he was a partner in Tilbury & Co, and I was a newbie solicitor in a different firm. David was just downright decent. He tried to help me integrate into Armidale society, assistance that I did not accept in my youthful innocence. Later we rediscovered each other when I was at the bar, and he briefed me. Downright decency, albeit never at his clients' expense, was still his touchstone. He brought the style of country practice into the city.

David was one of the first people I met when joining Waratahs Cricket Club in Armidale in early 1979. Quite apart from his enthusiasm for the game, it was the generous friendship he offered without qualification and his interest in people which marked him as special. He had a distinctive final stride at the bowling crease as his left foot slide onto the front line, a penchant for sending the ball down leg side and an aggressive batting style in the lower order. He used to love to talk the game and loved the blokes who played it with him. He was also my legal confidante in Armidale. Like many of us, he revelled in the chance for reunion in 2003 in which we all pretended we were so much younger before sneaking off home to lick our wounds. David was among the most honest, most generous men I have had the honour to call friend. More of his mates have commented on the club website http://waratahscricketclubbeyond.blogspot.com/2011/10/david-tilbury-302.html Tills, grab the new ball now mate before Lillee gets up there!