Ada Ivy Chapman (2020)

Ada Ivy Damms, Ivy, was born on 18th December 1932 at 6 Court, Apple St, Neepsend, Sheffield the third child of eight to Arnold and Gertrude. She grew up there and then from 1938, in Parson Cross, with her brothers and sisters, Walter, Fred, Joe, Arnold, Bryan and Alan, and her big sister Winnie, though Walter died at an early age. Ivy went to Meynell Road School until she was fifteen when she went to work at Burdall’s, and later variously at Swann-Moreton, Bassett’s, Hadfield’s and then at Bass Charrington until early retirement in 1983. She met her first husband, George Alan Reynolds at Gilbow’s, they married on December 26th 1953 and had three children, Linda, Pete and Alan Malcolm. George suffered a severe stroke aged 35 and Ivy worked hard to support the family. She met Reg Chapman on a blind date in 1973, they married in 1974 and were very happy together until Reg died in 2003. Ivy welcomed her children’s partners, Robert, Cheryl and Diane into the family and was grandma or Nannan to Mark, Robert, Paul, Colette, Lewis and Jo, as well as great-grandma to Jake, Megan, Bertie, Jessica, Harvey and Tommy. Ivy died on 20th August 2020.

Alan Duggan (2018)

Alan Duggan (1949 – 2018) was born in Newcastle to parents, Ronnie and Nellie and older brother, Joe. His modest upbringing informed his political principles. He was educated at Rutherford Grammar School and Hull University. Alan’s first job was as a porter at Fenwicks in Newcastle before he joined the Civil Service. His rise as a tax inspector took him to London where he met his wife, Louise. They married in 1981, shortly after which they moved to Nottingham. They had two children, Alice and Ben. After retiring in his early sixties, Alan became a National Trust volunteer and joined a creative writing group. He was a proud Geordie and lifelong Newcastle United supporter.

Alan Kendall (2017)

Alan Kendall (1934 – 2017) was born on 9 April in Bethnal Green, the last of eleven children. He worked first as an electrician and then in a variety of trades including owning a market stall. Alan was a fan of boxing, football, and gambling, and was one of the first people to use the Eurostar to get to France. He married wife Pat in 1955 and they remained together until her death in 2014. They had three children: Tony, Carol and Jackie.

Allan Ashworth (2013)

Allan Brent Ashworth (1955–2013) passed away at the age of 58, leaving behind his second wife, Karen, his five children, Sarah, Jenny, Kerry, Bekah and Jack, as well as three grandchildren, Isabel, Oliver and Samuel. Despite not enjoying school, Allan was a hard worker and talented cricketer. His diligence earned him a PhD from Nottingham which led to a career in the nuclear industry. Allan’s many interests included sport and music. He qualified as a cricket umpire and played the tuba with the Mid Sussex Brass Band, but perhaps his proudest achievement was to be appointed Radioactive Waste Advisor to the London Olympics! Allan was a devoted grandfather and a supportive father, always with a sense of humour and a desire to keep others safe and happy.

Allen Miller (2019)

Allen Miller (1955 – 2019) was born in Plymouth to Grace and Walt. He had a younger brother, Geoff. He won a scholarship to Plymouth College. He read economics at university in Manchester. Allen graduated in 1976 and worked as a programmer for the North Western Electricity Board. He then moved to Hamburg in Germany for two to three years to teach English as a foreign language. He returned to London and worked at various jobs, most recently at an antique coin dealership in Bloomsbury. Allen had a son, Laurenz, but lost touch with him and his mother. Allen was fluent in German, and also spoke French and Italian. He was a serious chess player, playing at the Dulwich Chess Club, in the Croydon and District Chess league, and London leagues. Allen died on 3rd June 2019.

Amanda Green (2018)

Amanda Green (1956 – 2017) was born on 7 November, the eldest of two children born to Stella and Gerald Green. She started working at the Waldorf Hotel in London before a period of severe depression meant that she was in and out of various hospitals. Once she was discharged from hospital, she began a cleaning job and worked as a volunteer for Age UK. Amanda enjoyed spending time with her friends and family, travelling, and going to the cinema and theatre.

Andrew Glyn Jones (2021)

Andrew Glyn Jones was born on 3^rd October 1938 to Ellen and Evan Jones in Morecambe, Lancashire. The family moved to Wales where Andrew attended Holyhead County School. After another family move he finished his schooling at Dover Grammar School for Boys. After leaving school Andrew worked in the East Kent coalfields for four years, gaining qualifications in the mining industry. For the next 27 years Andrew worked for British Rail Ferries/Sealink, based at Dover Western Docks and Folkestone.  He worked his way up the grades to become shipping and transport manager before retiring from a role at Red Star Parcels.

Andrew had a keen interest in transport which reached beyond his work and into photography, supplying many photographs which were incorporated into books. He had an abiding interest in industrial archaeology including mining and quarries and narrow-gauge railways, particularly the Ffestiniog Railway in North Wales. Andrew was a lover of many types of music, films, Radio 4, cats, real ale and travelling.  He was an enthusiastic hill walker and cyclist, for many years a member of the Cyclists’ Touring Club. Andrew had an encyclopaedic knowledge with which he kept his neighbours and many friends entertained and informed.

Andy Fitch (2017)

Andy Fitch (1944 – 2017)was born in Grippa, a town near Leipzig in Germany, before moving with his mother to London as a child. He studied economics at Emmanuel College, Cambridge and then went on to become a teacher. He was a keen swimmer, hiker, and cyclist and ran the school chess club. He married his wife Marian in 1967 and they had three children: Chris, Jenny and Steve.

Anita Ford (2018)

Anita Ford (1948- 018) was born in Enfield, an only child. She was the first member of her family to go to university. She studied sculpture at Loughborough where she obtained an honours degree which was followed by a one-year scholarship to study fine art at the Venice Accademia. Anita’s career in art continued at the Camden Institute in London, where she studied etching and screen printing. She set up print studios in Verona and Bologna and also taught art in London. Anita showed her work at many major exhibitions, both in the UK and internationally. She also sold corporately through half a dozen or so agents. Anita met her partner of 26 years, Alfred Huckett, at the Camden Institute. They were married in 2016.

Anne Hazard (2012)

Anne was born 23rd April 1952 in Hayes Middlesex, the younger sister of John and Margaret and the daughter of Muriel who was a housewife and Reg Bodkin who worked as a station master on the London Underground. The family soon moved to Sudbury and after leaving school, Anne trained as a manicurist with Revlon in London them workers at a salon in Ealing Broadway. She first met her future husband David en route to a holiday in Italy with her lifelong friend Olivia and they married at Willesden Registry office 10th April 1971. Anne and David settled into married life and their children Louise (born September 1976) and Sam (December 31st 1978) joined David’s children from his first marriage, Janice and David, regulars at their house. Anne worked in the kitchens at Sawston Village College, Champak Tannery, Sawston Health Centre, Spicers, Bayer and Rocialle medical supplies before being diagnosed with ovarian cancer in July 2006. Time spent with family and friends was a very important part of her life and she enjoyed her dream holiday to Las Vegas and Miami in December 2009. Anne attended Arthur Rank Hospice and chose to be nursed there until her death on 19th April 2012.

The tribute to David Hazard can be found here

Anne Roberts (2019)

Anne Margaret Roberts (1946 – 2019) was born in Middlesborough. She attended school there and at Our Lady’s Convent in Abingdon. She was first married in 1965 and Richard was born in 1969. Anne worked at the Atlas Laboratory and the Natural Environment Research Council. She married Gareth in 1975. Anne took early retirement in 1998 and became a driver for the Wallingford Volunteer Centre, until 2011. She also looked after young adults with physical or mental disabilities. Anne liked to travel, often with her two granddaughters, Chloe and Jordan. She was a keen swimmer, tennis player and an active member of the Thames Valley Egyptology Society. Anne died at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

Annette Maureen Sides Johnson (2022)

Annette Maureen Sides Johnson (1937 – 2022) was born on 20^th October 1937, the first child of Minnie and Harry Higgins.  She grew up in Pontefract with her younger brother Peter and her Uncle Ken, who only a few years her senior, was like an older brother.  Annette attended Love Lane School and Pontefract Girls’ High, before starting work at the Co-op Insurance.  Annette married Bill on 12^th May 1956 at St Giles Church, Pontefract.  They lived for over sixty years at South View Gardens where they brought up their four children, Martyn, Ian, Alison and Stuart.  Whilst her children were growing up Annette worked as a waitress at the Co-op Café.  Annette’s interests included tending their garden and allotment, dogs and travel, holidaying in the UK before adventuring to Malta, Australia, China, Chile and Peru.

Anthea Auty (2020)

Anthea Auty was born on December 2nd 1940, in Dewsbury, to Dorothy and Albert Parnell but the marriage did not work out and because Dorothy had to work Anthea was brought up by her grandmother and aunt until Dorothy met and married Eric Dewhirst in 1948. So Anthea then had two half brothers, Joe and Michael and later two half sisters, Moira and Lorna. Anthea left school at fifteen and worked in a local factory as a mender. At seventeen she met Keith at the Galleon dance hall in Dewsbury and they married on 12th March 1960. Anthea loved dancing and taught Keith to jive, later they won several ballroom dancing medals. They lived in Horbury where Alison was born in January 1962 and in 1968 moved to Pontefract. In 1976 Anthea qualified as a nurse and worked for many years at the Pontefract General Infirmary and then became an industrial nurse for Rowntree Mackintosh. Anthea and Keith were a sociable couple hosting popular parties, barbecues and family get-togethers and they shared many holidays with Alison and her husband John. Anthea loved animals, especially dogs and over 30 years they had 6 Rottweilers, proudly winning Best in Breed at Crufts in 1992. She was an active grandmother to Dale born in 1989 and loved taking him to Fairburn Ings Nature Reserve and took great interest in her great grandchildren, Jayden and Alfie, born to Dale and Kim in 2012 and 2016. Anthea bravely fought her final illness and was looked after by Keith at home with support from all the family until moving to The Prince of Wales Hospice where she died on 19th August 2020.

Anthony (Tony) Sadler (2021)

Anthony Sadler, Tony was born in London on February 5th 1931 the third child of William and Helen Sadler with sisters, Joan and Betty and an uncle to Butch, Lorelea, Joanne and Jackie. He told tales of playing in bombed streets and then being evacuated to the countryside. He went to Latymer School and entering into a career in banking went to Nigeria in 1955 where he managed several branches in the north for the Bank of British West Africa. He married Jean in 1957 and Bruce (1958) and Jane (1960) were born in Jos. Jean returned to England in 1967 to give birth to Mark because of the Nigerian Civil War. Tony was an autodidact, always interested in absorbing new ideas and information. A sociable and popular man, he was extremely proud of his children and their partners Steve, Kim and Ellie and his grandchildren Lee, Emma, Amy, Jack, Louis, Grace and Oliver and great granddaughter Isabella.

Anthony Keen (2019)

Anthony (Tony) Keen (1957 – 2019) was born on 30th July 1957 at home in Hillingdon, to Peter and Muriel. He had two sisters, Susan and Jenny. The family moved to Ickenham in 1968. After leaving grammar school, Tony had various jobs until settling into the role of international sales representative for a number of apparel companies. He rose to be Vice President of Global Distributors at Timberland. Tony married Margaret O’Sullivan in 1991. They moved to Iver, Buckinghamshire in 1992 and had two children, Daniel & Laura. After taking early retirement from Timberland in 2011, Tony set up his own business AMK Business Solutions. He retired from this in 2015, then worked with Margaret in property management. Tony played squash, basketball, and handball, for which he was an International Judge. He cycled with the Hillingdon Cycling Club and was a runner. Tony was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in September 2018. He died on the 25th August, surrounded by his family.

Arthur Gribben (2020)

Arthur Gribben was born on 22 June 1933, in Redruth in Cornwall, to Arthur John Gribben and Elsie May Hugo – a younger brother for Irene, and, two years later, an older brother for Jack. Everyone in the family was musical and music formed a large part of Arthur’s life.
He spent his working life in the RAF travelling to and living in many countries around the world. During this time he set up his first swimming club and this sport became central to family life.
Arthur had four children: Amanda, David Peter and after meeting Jean in 1974 her two daughters Susan and Sally became part of the family. Arthur and Jean went on to have Laura in 1980.
His hobby for stamp collecting became a way of raising money for the RNLI which he continued to support to the end of his life. He enjoyed sea fishing and gardening but above all loved his family. He died on 10th January 2020.

Arthur Wilmot Uloth (2022)

Arthur Wilmot Uloth (1931 – 2022) was born in King’s Lynn, Norfolk on 19th December 1931.  Educated initially at boarding schools in Kent, Sussex and Wales, Arthur finished his schooling at Westminster School in London.  At the age of sixteen, Arthur became an Anarchist and found work with the Freedom Press, editing and writing articles.  After corresponding with Alma a Czechoslovakian, in 1972 Arthur married Alma.  When Joan was born in 1976, Arthur became the parent who left work to look after their daughter.  Alongside anarchism, Arthur was a Pacifist and with others from the Freedom Press Group and the London Anarchist Group, he was a founder member of the Malatesta Club.  Arthur was a member of the Progressive League and the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) and Committee of 100, attending the Aldermaston Marches.  He taught English as a foreign language and gained a degree with the Open University, as a mature student.

Audrey Emily Laura Hawkes (2022)

Audrey Emily Laura Hawkes (1928 – 2021) was born on 27^th January 1928.  After starting work at The Dorchester Hotel in London at the age of fourteen, two years later Audrey was appointed to run the Accounts department that calculated and issued guests’ bills.  In later years Audrey worked for ten years as a receptionist and dispenser at the GP surgery in Hadlow.  Married to Fred, Audrey had three children, Catherine, Emma and Nick.  For many years they lived at Leigh Court in Golden Green, Tonbridge.  Audrey became involved in community projects helping local people and refugees and worked as a volunteer in local charity shops including Tonbridge Hospice.  Audrey started the Hadlow branch of the Women’s Institute (WI) and became Treasurer.  Audrey sang in several choirs, played the piano and was a competent calligrapher.  Audrey was a good cook and cake baker and a keen gardener and had a menagerie of animals.

Audrey Goodwin (2019)

Audrey Goodwin (1925 – 2019) was born in Teddington. She was the middle child of George and Dora Vail. During the war, the family lived Cheltenham. When Audrey left home she moved to Guildford and qualified as a state registered nurse. She worked as a theatre sister on the first skin grafts in the country. It was during this time that she met Tony Goodwin. They shared a love of culture, particularly amateur dramatics, and of competitive sport. They were married in 1950. Tony’s work meant moving to Warwickshire, where Joanna and Paul were born, then to Royal Leamington Spa, and finally to Carshalton in Surrey. Audrey continued nursing at the local cottage hospital in Surrey. She became an Avon Lady, and a market tester for Cadbury. On Tony’s retirement they moved to Bexhill. Audrey started playing competitive golf, becoming Lady Captain at Highwoods for a period. She became involved in the local Macmillan Cancer Fund activities. In 2017 she moved to Suffolk to be closer to Joanna. Audrey died in Suffolk.

Audrey Hotten (2019)

Audrey May Hotten (1924-2019) was born in South London to Harriet and Percy Barnard. They moved to Essex where her sister, Mary, was born. Audrey won a scholarship to Oxford University which she was unable to take up because she was called-up for the war effort. After leaving the Army, Audrey went to the London School of Economics where she earned a degree in History. She then got her Teacher Training Certificate and enjoyed a 31 year career in teaching. Her final post was Deputy Head Teacher at the Test Valley School in Stockbridge. Audrey had two children, Stephen and Jill, with her first husband, Dennis. Audrey married Edwin in 1973. In retirement they travelled around Europe in a motorhome. Audrey was involved with the University of the Third Age and Chairman of Southampton Camera Club.

Barbara Bush (2018)

Barbara ‘Lily’ Bush (1928 – 2018) was born Barbara Cox on 31 July in Cowbridge, one of twelve children. She left school at fifteen and became a maid. Lily enjoyed playing bingo, knitting, and spending time with her family. She married husband Arthur in 1947 and they had seven children: Jimmy, Maria, Brian, Nancy, Christopher, Tracey, and Lyndon.

Barbara Edwards (2019)

Barbara Edwards (1948 – 1919) was born Barbara Coe at Shipley Maternity Home. Barbara grew up in Shipley and went to Albert Road Junior School, followed by Salts Grammar School. On leaving school, Barbara went to Keighley Technical College to study shorthand and typing, leading to a job at the Bradford and Bingley Building Society, where she became Personal Assistant to the Chief Executive. Barbara was involved with the Bradford Amateur Rowing Club for 50 years. In 2012 she was awarded the Medal of Merit for services to regattas. She held the position of Honorary Secretary of the Yorkshire Rowing council and organiser of the region’s flagship event, the Yorkshire Head. Barbara married Terry Edwards in 1975. By 1977 they had moved into the house on Warren Avenue, where they were to spend the rest of their lives together. In 2013, Barbara also became clerk to the governors of Belle Vue Girls Academy. Barbara died on 27 April 2019.

Barbara Lynn Jenkins (2019)

Barbara Lynn Jenkins (1942-2019) was born in Bexleyheath, the eldest child of John and Evelyn Jenkins. Lynn went to Brampton Road Primary School and to Chislehurst Grammar. After leaving school, she joined the Civil Service. Her work took her to Hastings which became her home in 1971. Lynn left work in her early fifties and used her retirement to enjoy travelling the world. She was also active in The National Trust, Amnesty, Greenpeace and Dignity in Dying. She was a keen gardener and member of the RSBP, leading the local group for 25 years.

Barry Stuart Carter (2020)

Barry was born in Harrow on May 12th 1942, the eldest child of Leonard and Barbara Carter. Then the family moved to the south coast. His twin sisters Christine and Lynette were born in Worthing. The family moved frequently and Barbara and the children lived a year in South Africa after the war. Barry excelled at Worthing Grammar School and then went on to Queen Mary College, University of London, progressing to a Masters and then Doctorate in Astrophysics. Computers fired his imagination and it was in this field that he worked, first at the Institute of Child Health and then in several other positions. Barry married Helena in 1979 and they lived first in Southgate and then moved to Uckfield in Sussex in the 1980’s. Retiring at 63 he enjoyed gardening, keeping up with science, listening to music and watching the news and documentaries. His health was poor over the last ten years and he moved into Oakwood Court in Haywards Heath in 2019 where Helena was able to visit until restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic but they were reunited in his last days. Barry died on 28th September 2020.

Bernadette ‘Bernie’ Mary Wilson (2018)

Bernadette ‘Bernie’ Mary Wilson (1933-2018) was born in Dublin, the third of four daughters to David Brendon and Anne Byrne. Mother and daughters moved to England when Bernie was two. During the war Bernie was evacuated to Wales. She went to Secretarial College and then worked in London. She married George Wilson in 1956. In 1961 they moved to Reading. Two years later they moved to Cardiff where they lived for over fifty years. Their daughter, Ann was born in 1964. Bernie later studied for a Certificate of Education and became a college lecturer in Cardiff. Bernie nursed George for ten years until he died in 2011. She had eight grandchildren and great grandchildren, Susan, Ian, Adam, Dominic, Eloise, Jessica, Alice and Ben.

Beryl Halls (2019)

Beryl Yvonne Halls (1933 – 2019) was born in Weymouth to Winifred and Charles Dibben, but grew up in Amersham. She had two brothers, Norman and Gordon. Beryl attended St. George’s Church of England School and Whitehill School in Chesham. She then trained at secretarial college in London before starting work in Fleet Street. Beryl married Patrick McKenna, in July 1951. They lived in Buckinghamshire, where Beryl had seven children, Susan, who died at one week, Jennifer, John, Tricia, Peter, Patrick and James. Patrick and Beryl parted ways in 1975 and Beryl moved to Amersham. In the eighties, after her children had moved away, Beryl took a job as an office administrator. In September 1986, aged 53, Beryl married Geoffrey Halls. Geoff died in 1999. Beryl was a grandmother and great grand-mother. Beryl was diagnosed with cancer in 2017. She died in the Florence Nightingale’s Hospice.

Beryl West (2019)

Beryl Margaret West (1932 – 2019) was born in Nottingham to Kitty and George Grafton. She had four younger siblings, Doreen, David, Marilyn and Ken. Beryl had the responsibility of helping care for her younger siblings at an early age. Beryl dreamed of going to art college, but she left school at 14 to start work as an office junior for a firm of solicitors. Beryl then became a switchboard operator. Beryl was a keen cyclist. She met Alan West at the Nottingham Wheelers when she was 18. Tragically Alan had a bad cycling accident, leaving him in a wheelchair. Despite this setback, they married in 1956 and six years later they had a daughter, Diane. The family lived in Wollaton Park and Beryl worked as a secretary at Sherwood Bleachers and Dyers, and later at Nottingham University. She retired in 1990. Beryl had many interests including gardening, baking and playing the piano. She also travelled a lot including supporting Alan at international athletic events. Beryl also supported others through the Spinal Injuries Association. After Alan died in 2007, Beryl continued to lead a full life until health issues proved too much. Beryl died in Nottingham.

Betty Alexandra Judd (2021)

Betty was born on 27th July 1931 in West Ham, the eldest daughter of Ernest and Queenie Sims. She was followed by a sister, Angela. During the war she was evacuated to South Wales, which she loved, and later the family moved to Burnt Mills Road in Basildon. She attended Brentwood Grammar school, and her first job was at the Daily Mirror. She married Edward Judd, a building contractor, at Nevendon Church in Basildon in 1953 and then took a job as a doctor’s receptionist. Their first daughter, Ingrid, was born in 1958 and their second, Lisa, in 1962. They were also to have six grandchildren. After working as a teaching assistant she decided to train as a teacher, and spent 40 years teaching – she loved it and was well respected for it. After her husband died in 1991 she met Ian, who became her partner for the next 12 years. Her many leisure activities included travel and attending Humanist conferences. She also wrote a history of Basildon.

Betty Wallace (1995)

Betty Wallace (1925 – 1995) was born Betty Ball in Southend-on-Sea, Essex on 28 July, the youngest of three daughters. After leaving school, she attended a secretarial college and became a short-hand typist. After a failed relationship, Betty moved to Lagos for a job at the British High Commission. She married husband Ian in 1951 after meeting at the local sailing club. They returned to England and had two children, daughter Patsy and son Alasdair, and remained together until he died in a plane crash in 1969. In later life, Betty volunteered for the Women’s Royal Voluntary Service and the Citizens Advice Bureau before taking a job at a University. She was an active National Trust member and treasurer for the Exmouth Club for the Blind. Depositor: Patsy Wallace (Betty’s daughter).

Bill Cordell (2014)

William ‘Bill’ Cordell (1922 – 2014) was born in Chiswick, London, the youngest of three children. He started work in a shipping office in London before joining the army during World War Two. After the war, he set up an antiques renovation and retail business and remained in the antiques trade for the rest of his life. He was also instrumental in establishing the Camden Mental Health Consortium that ensured patients and their families were actively consulted in the planning and delivery of their care, a novelty at the time. Bill married wife Sylvia in 1948 and they had two daughters: Alison and Julia.

Bob Escudier (2018)

Robert ‘Bob’ Escudier (1943 – 2018) was born on 30 October in Battersea, the third of five children. His career was in the sale of curtains and blinds at TE Smith Blinds and Curtains before eventually setting up his own successful business, R&G Blinds, with his brother George. After the sale of R&G Blinds in the 1980s, Bob later founded a building company. He married first wife Val and they had three children, Kim, Ian, and Brian, before later divorcing. He married second wife Jan in 1998.

Brenda Pamela Pusey (2018)

Brenda Pusey (1937 – 2018) was born Brenda Graham in Battersea on 3 November, the third of four children. She began working at a deli counter aged fourteen and then worked on a salad stall in Tooting market. After her marriage, she started a career in the NHS, firstly as a medical records clerk and ultimately as a unit manager. Brenda married her husband Tony when she was twenty-one and they had three daughters, Tina, Lisa, and Mandy, seven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

Brian Attewell (2019)

Brian Attewell (1937 – 2019) was born in Bromley in 1937, a brother to Lainey. From a young age, Brian was intellectually curious and widely read with a sense of adventure and fun. He was open minded and stood up for what he believed in. He often talked about his schooling at Dulwich College, where he made some life-long friendships. He studied at the London School of Economics and went on to a diplomatic career and many overseas postings. He married Mary and they had three children, Alex, Zoe and Guy. Mary died in 2000 and Brian later met and married his son Guy’s mother-in-law, Angelika. They spent the last eighteen years of Brian’s life happily enjoying shared interests and travel. He had six grandchildren, Amy, Lark, Lali, Lula, Jalin and Ameya. Brian was a life-long supporter of Charlton Athletic.

Brian Feakes (2020)

Brian was born on 16^th August 1936 at Rochford Hospital to Ivy and Harry. Aged 8 he was evacuated with his sister Maureen (6) to Rochdale then returned to live in Beresford Rd Southend but their parents separated and life was difficult. At 18 Brian served his National Service with the RAF in Yorkshire then returned to study at Southend Technical College and went on to work in the technical office at Southend Airport. He married Norma on 12th June 1971 at St Andrews church, Shoebury and bought their first house in Eastern Close, Southend. Their son Daniel was born in 1973 and daughter Annette in 1975. Brian became a postman that year and worked until retirement in 1996. The family moved from No 1 Eastern Close to No 8 where Brian made the most of the large garden. Brian was immensely proud of his family and always interested in his sister’s marathon running and in the exploits of Daniel and Yvonne’s children, Ruairi, Finlay, and Ciaran.

Brian Fletcher (2017)

Brian Fletcher (1949 – 2017) was born in Perivale in West London on 14 August, the eldest of two boys. He worked firstly in his parents’ shop and then, when it was sold, as a taxi driver until his retirement. He enjoyed spending time with his family and was a lifelong Chelsea fan. Brian married wife Barbara when he was twenty-one and they remained together until his death. They had three children, Michael, Graham, and Joanne, and four grandchildren.

Bridget Kitley (2018)

Bridget Kitley (1931 − 2018) was born in Hampstead, London, to Montagu and Enid Slater. She had an elder sister, Anna and younger sister, Carol. She was sent to various boarding schools, including Monkton Wyld School in Dorset. She met her first husband, Julian Rea, at a Young Communist camp in East Berlin when she was 19. They had two children, Judy and Steve. They moved to Ghana in the late 50s but Bridget left Julian and brought the children back to England. She worked to support her family. Bridget married Pete Kitley in 1964, with whom she had her third child, Jess. They lived in Highgate. The relationship foundered after some years. Bridget qualified as a teacher when she was 48 and taught some of the most challenging children in Hackney. She met Richard in the late 70s. They never married but lived together in Highgate and their cottage in Cattistock, Dorset. Bridget was a grandmother and great grandmother. As well as gardening and photography, she loved poetry, theatre, painting, drawing and music, and wrote some poetry and short stories of her own.

Bryan Ship (2019)

Bryan William Ship (1937-2019) was born in Fulham to Charles and Elvis. He was the third of four siblings. Their parents separated when they were young. Bryan gained a place at grammar school. He joined the Royal Navy in 1953, aged 15. His first ship was an aircraft carrier, HMS Centaur. He spent the next 10 years travelling the world. Bryan married Tina in Malta in 1960 and had two children Bryan Junior and Ginny. Bryan gained his pilot’s license and following the Navy, he emigrated to Rhodesia. Due to a lack of adequate health care, Bryan returned to the UK in 2003. He lived in Eastbourne, where he met his soulmate, Pat. He had four grandchildren, Aden, Hannah, Daryn and Micayla. He also had two great grandchildren, Riley and Harper.

Carole Yvonne Caulton (2021)

Carole Yvonne Caulton (1944 – 2021) was born on 26^th September 1944 in Richmond, Yorkshire, to Gordon and Dorothy. She had an older sister Dianne. They lived in various military houses over the years including in Pakistan where the girls went to school in Abbottabad. Carole studied at Farnborough Secretarial College before she met and married her first husband, Bob. They had two boys, Stephen and David. Bob’s work took the family to live in New York State, USA. Their marriage ended there, but Carole met Graham and the couple moved to the UK with their combined five children. In Portsmouth she taught adults with learning difficulties. She volunteered with Oxfam and at the 2012 Olympics. In her late forties Carole undertook a geography degree at Portsmouth Polytechnic. She was an intrepid traveller, visiting North Korea, Iran and Antarctica, among other destinations. Carole and Graham moved to Holmfirth in Yorkshire to be closer to their grandchildren, Belle, Oscar, Joe and Sarah. Carole died on 2nd April 2021.

Caroline Susan Louise Green (2021)

Caroline Susan Louise Green (1980 – 2021) was born on 8^th April 1980 to Richard and Sandra Green the elder sister of Vicky.  After growing up in Sussex, Caroline went to Nottingham University.  Caroline’s first job after leaving university was in the South of France.  She continued to travel, visiting many countries in Europe and Southern India, and for work.  She was a graduate trainee for Swire in Hong Kong and in later years she worked for Sky Deutschland in Germany.  Caroline enjoyed clubbing, going to gigs and music festivals.  She was a member of Gaggle, an all-woman Indie choir and she loved 5Rythms Dancing and Salsa.

Caroline Tunnacliffe Bennett (2020)

Caroline Dimont, Carrie, was born to Penelope and Charles on 12th March at the Rectory, in Willersey near Broadway where her grandfather Arthur was the vicar. She became part of a large extended family, her older sister Madelon, her younger siblings Julia and Deborah, Sally and Jeremy and Charles’ second wife Sonia and their three children, Charles, Sarah and Chris and her grandmother Caroline. Her mother married John Mortimer in 1952 and the family moved to Swiss Cottage where Carrie and Julia attended the progressive St Mary’s Town and Country School in Eton Avenue until, at 16, she went on to study at RADA. In 1962 she met the actor Leslie Phillips with whom she spent 15 years as her acting career flourished. In 1979 she married the actor John Bennett and they moved into 73 Teignmouth Rd, Willesden Green and Jake and Sam were born, brothers for Jamie, John’s son. Carrie continued to live there through the deaths of Sam in 2002, John in 2005 and Madelon in 2015 when she herself was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and with a further blow Deborah died of the same cancer in October 2018. In April 2020 she was hospitalised with Covid-19 but recovered and was thrilled to be home again but she had developed an untreatable leukaemia and died on September 20th. She always drew joy and sustenance from being with the people she cared about: her children, husband and her wider family and friends were everything to her.

Catherine ‘Cath’ Goymer (2019)

Catherine ‘Cath’ Goymer (1940 – 2019) was born in Willesden to Joe and Rowley Beach. She had an elder brother, Joe, and two younger sisters, Irene and Gwen. Cath won a scholarship to the Henrietta Barnet School in Hampstead Garden Suburb. After school, she worked as a secretary. She married Tony Goymer in Willesden Parish Church in 1961. They were married for 58 years. They moved to Kenton where they lived for 10 years. Here Cath became chair and secretary of the local Young Mothers’ Club. They then lived in Hatch End for 20 years, before moving to Mortehoe in Devon in 2002. Cath had two sons, Colin and Jonathan and five grandchildren, Rosie, Benjamin, Sam, Amy and Abbie. Cath and Tony were accomplished ballroom dancers, even dancing at the Royal Albert Hall. Cath died on 29 July 2019.

Charles ‘Charlie’ Legg (2019)

Charles ‘Charlie’ Francis Legg (1939 – 2019) was born in Kent to Stuart and Margaret. He had a sister, Ruth and two brothers, Tom and Robby. From 1940, the family spent time in North America before moving back to England in 1948. Charlie attended Frensham Heights School in Surrey, close to where the family then lived. After school he did psychology at Manchester University, and later, a psychology PhD at Cambridge, where he also captained the university hockey team. Cambridge is where he met his first wife Veronica, with whom he had two children, Jessica and Jake. He then did a three-year stint at Stanford in California. Charlie returned to London where his interest turned to public housing, working at the National Federation of Housing Associations for ten years and then at the Housing Corporation. Charlie was an active volunteer on various committees and boards. Charlie met Kate in 1972 and set-up home with her and her son, Justin, in Camden Town. He was ‘Grandpa Charlie’ to Rubi, Jamie, Rose and Mia.

Chris Rowlands (2021)

Chris was born to Kenneth and Jean Rowlands on 21^st June 1945 in Stocksbridge. He had a younger brother Tony. On leaving school Chris went to work at the steelworks and remained there as a general steelworker until his retirement at the age of sixty.

Chris was mechanically minded and particularly loved motorbikes. After surviving a serious motorbike accident Chris became interested in Land Rovers. He refurbished his own car and with his friends attended Land Rover trials across the UK. In later years Chris competed in bomber car races and then took an interest in speedway, attending many National Speedway events. He became the mechanic for one of the Sheffield Tigers.

Chris lived in the family home for all his life, supporting his mother after the death of his father and was very close to Tony and his family.

Christine Finlow (2018)

Christine Finlow (1923 – 2018) was born on 3 February in Stafford. She was an only child but had a great many aunts, uncles and cousins. She grew up in Milford near Cannock Chase. Despite doing well in school she left at 14 to work – but she followed her love of art by attending art school several evenings a week. During World War Two, she worked as a draughtsman for British Reinforced Concrete by day, whilst serving in the Home Guard by night. After the war, she met her husband Ken, giving birth to their daughter Jill in 1957. She later worked for the Planning Department at Staffordshire County Council. Throughout her life she had a passion for art, especially painting with watercolours. She adored walking on Cannock Chase with Ken, and with her dog Sophie after Ken passed in 1992.

Christine Ramsey (2018)

Christine Ramsay (1935 – 2018) was born on 7 December in Luton, an only child. She worked as a teaching assistant at a school for children with learning difficulties as well as volunteering as a nursery assistant and at the Redbourn Stroke Club. She was a skilled cook and enjoyed playing the piano. Christine married Eric in 1956 and they had one child: Paul.

Christine Vincent (2019)

Christine Patricia Vincent (1957 – 2019) was born on the 15th February 1957 in Calcutta, to Pat and Archibald. The family returned to the UK, when Christine was two, and settled in Kent. She had two sisters, Susan and Rhiannon. In 1963 Christine’s mother married Leslie Dyte, with whom she had two boys, Martin and Anthony. When the marriage ended in 1970, Pat and the girls moved to Bristol, where Christine attended St Bede’s Catholic College. In 1984 she married Paul and the couple moved to Wells. They had two sons, Sam and George. She gave up work to raise the boys but returned to work when Paul took over the childcare. Christine recovered from breast cancer in 2000 and, against the odds, survived oesophageal cancer in 2007. In 2010 she trained as a beauty and complementary therapist at Bridgwater College and in 2012 set up her own business, Given Holistic Beauty. Christine died on 28th April 2019 at St Margaret’s Hospice in Bishop’s Hull.

Christopher (Chris) John Roberts (2021)

Christopher (Chris) Roberts was born in Coventry to Rita and John on 6^th January 1963, a younger brother to Dave. He attended King Henry VIII school where he excelled at sport, his passion being rugby. Pursuing his interest in the arts and specifically photography, Chris studied Visual Communications at Walsall Technical College. Moving to London in 1986 he worked for seven years at Imperial College. During this time, he became a freelancer which enabled him to start his own business, Knuckle TV in 2008. With his network of contacts, excellent technical and communication skills the business was very successful. Over the years Chris made many friends, some established when he was at school and college. Chris and his wife Joan had two daughters, Marnie and Ruby.

Christopher John Sowden (2018)

Christopher John Sowden (1950-2018) grew up in Wyke, Yorkshire. He left school at fifteen, working various jobs until settling on a career as a refrigeration engineer, a job that took him all over the world. He met his wife Cath in 1967. They were married in Low Moor in 1971 and had two children, Neil and Machala. John had many interests including motorbikes, fishing and caving but his abiding passion was the Bradford Bulls rugby league team. He was a season ticket holder for many years and after he retired, aged 60, was a volunteered for the club. John was a grandad to Matthew, Callum, Josh and Robbie.

Clifford Litton (2018)

Clifford Litton (1947-2018) was the second child of Nancy and Leonard, and younger brother of Diana. Despite early illnesses, Cliff passed the 11 plus to join Exeter School. He later read mathematical statistics at Birmingham followed by a research degree in Lancaster. He joined the Maths Department at Nottingham in 1972, where he stayed until his retirement 40 years later. It was here that he met his wife, Lindsay. They had three boys, Jonathan, Paul and Chris, to whom Cliff was a hands-on father. He was a school governor and basketball coach. He was also a qualified football referee. Cliff published over 40 articles and books during his career. In retirement he was a keen walker. Cliff had four grandchildren, Lara, Leon, Sophie and Eiji.

Clive Thomas (2019)

Clive Edmund Thomas (1968 – 2019) was born in Church Village, Wales, on the 25th January 1968, to Enid and Ken. He grew up in Llanharry and had two elder brothers, David and Steven. Clive’s life was impacted by the effects of meningitis, which he contracted at the age of five. He attended Llanharry Primary School until he was eleven. He then went to a special school in Talbot Green, followed by the day centre in Treforest. Clive learned to live independently after the death of his father and mother in 1993 and 2003 respectively. Around 2010 he moved to an assisted-living facility in Stryd-y-Gollen. Clive always kept busy with various jobs and routines. He liked football and was a well-known character locally. Clive died suddenly on the 20th June 2019.

Colin Frankling (2019)

Colin Roland Frankling (1932–2019) was born in Eastbourne, one of the three children of Doris and Frank. He wanted to train in carpentry and become a boat-builder, but his father apprenticed him to an electrician. Not happy with this, Colin secretly travelled to HMS Ganges, and signed on as a boy seaman. He stayed in the Navy for almost a decade. Colin married Pearl in 1961, a union that would last 58 years. Colin was a practical man, who continued with building maintenance work all his life in positions of increasing responsibility; at Relay Vision, the British Syphon Company, Chandlers Builders’ Merchants, Brighton Technical College and finally the Eastbourne branch of Brighton University. Colin and Pearl were enthusiastic folk singers, often travelling to festivals in their camper van. They were regular visitors to New Zealand, where they had close friends.

Cynthia Newton (2017)

Cynthia Newton (1922 – 2017) was born Cynthia Taylor in Liverpool, and was one of four children. She studied first at Bedford College and then at Cambridge where she achieved a 2:1 in Geography. She spent most of her life working in social services, firstly as a probation officer and marriage guidance counsellor. After her retirement, she founded the Adult Literacy Service in West Wiltshire and did work for Amnesty International. Cynthia married husband George in 1950 and had three children, Diana, Michael, and Malcolm, and seven grandchildren.

Cynthia Swift (2021)

Cynthia Swift (1923 – 2021) was born on 2^nd July 1923, the seventh of Jane and George Booth’s eight children.  Cynthia left school at fourteen and went into service before working in a laundry, where she met Ted, a postman.  Cynthia and Ted married on 24^th April 1943, and started their married life living with Cynthia’s mother in Sevenoaks.  For a short time during WW2 Cynthia lived with her brother Ginger’s wife in Pagham where Margaret was born.  Mike and Marilyn were born after the War had ended.  The family moved to Westfield, where Cynthia worked locally in the Post Office and then eighteen years for Dr Wright.  Cynthia had many interests including knitting, cooking, music and dancing and dogs.  When Ted retired, he and Cynthia moved to Shaftesbury before returning to Sussex to be near their growing family.  Cynthia and Ted were married for 78 years and had six grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Dale Winton (2018)

Dale Winton (1955-2018) was born in North London on 22 May, the only child of a Jewish businessman and his wife Sheree, an actress. Named after the American actor Dale Robertson, he worked as a disc jockey on Radio Trent for several years in the late 1970s and early 1980s before he hit the big time with the daytime TV show Supermarket Sweep in 1993. He went on to present the National Lottery show and appear in numerous TV shows including the Royal Variety Performance. For two decades from the mid-1990s, he was a household name, known for his perma-tan, energy and camp good humour. He played a cameo role in the 1996 film Trainspotting, and was always happy to send himself up. He had a number of very close friends in the media and entertainment world, and was godfather to Josh, Ben and Louis Linsey, the three sons of TV producer Mark Linsey and his wife Sarah.

David Evans (2021)

David Evans (1953 – 2021) was born in Woking, the eldest of six children.  David was successful in the IT industry for over 30 years, implementing multi-lingual, multi-currency accounting and control systems around the world for many different industries.  Whilst working in Switzerland David met Joy.  Upon returning to England David and Joy set up home in Beckenham.  They enjoyed holidays abroad where David would donate food and other practical items to help local, poor communities.  He donated money which enabled a school to be established in Senegal. David’s last working partnership was with Green IS, working in sustainable timber projects in Brazil.  He studied for a BSC in Environmental Studies.  David had two sons, David and Harry.

David George Baines (2020)

David was born near White Hart Lane football ground in Tottenham on 3rd of July 1943, the third of seven children, and became a lifelong Spurs fan. His very first job was as a messenger for Barclays Bank on the Seven Sisters Road. When the family moved to Takely in Essex, his father arranged an apprenticeship for him as an aircraft engineer at Stansted Airport, and he worked there as a flight mechanic with Transmeridian Air Cargo, remaining at Stansted for his whole career. He started as ground crew but in the 1970s he started flying as well – travelling all over the world except for Australia and New Zealand. He always returned to his family with gifts and stories to tell. At one point the whole family was about to move to Hong Kong but this never came about. He enjoyed his work, and the camaraderie of colleagues.

He played football for the local team in Takely, and he met his wife Linda when she was working in the local pub. They married in April 1971 and had two children, Frances and Tim, of whom he was very proud. He continued to enjoy watching  sport – darts, golf, rugby and cricket, and supported Tim when he took up rugby. David was also devoted to his grandson, Harry, with whom he spent a lot of time. Despite suffering from ill health for the last 20 years of his life, he never complained. He died on 15th October 2020.

David Gumbrell (2018)

David Gumbrell (1944 – 2018) was born on 28 March in Weymouth. He worked as a stonemason and also played in a band called the Crescendoes which had a number one hit in Germany. David later worked at the Welsh Folk Museum and was part of a band called Mock Thee Knott. He was a passionate cricket fan and enjoyed cooking, fishing, and playing golf. David had son Simon with Gloria and later married Anne in 1989, becoming a stepfather to her three children. They stayed together until her death in 2002, after which he met partner Linda.

David Henry Hazard (2020)

David was born 28th November 1930 in Stepney and lived there with his younger sister Joan (born 1935) through the early war years until their house was blasted out but they soon returned to the East End, living in new flats in West India Dock Road and then moving into a pub just off the Commercial Road. David left school at 14 and worked for his dad’s haulage business before training as a sewing machine mechanic. He continued to work with sewing and knitting machines, having a shop in Harlow and then working for Pfaff, Toyota and Knitmaster. David married Audrey when very young and they had two children, David and Janice, but the marriage ended in divorce. David married Anne Bodkin in 1971 and Louise was born in 1976 and Sam in 1978. Family and friends were a very important part of their married life and David found joy and laughter in many things. He remained close to his sister Joan and youngest sister Margaret and was proud of his East End heritage. He was always gregarious and friendly, but he missed Anne terribly after her death in 2012. He was determined to remain in ‘her house,’ where he died on 21st December 2020.

The tribute to Anne Hazard can be found here

David Hydes (2018)

David Frank Hydes (1948–2018) was born in Leeds to Albert and Ada. He had two brothers, Michael and Graham. David won a place at Leeds Grammar School and represented the school at rugby and swimming. He then studied English and Geography at Liverpool University. After teacher training, his first teaching job was at Ruffwood Comprehensive, on Merseyside. In 1977 he became head of the Upper School at Beaminster School in Dorset. It was here that he met Pamela. They moved to Great Yarmouth in 1986 and married in 1989. David bred and showed dogs and built show jumping courses. They moved to South Wales where David worked at Oakwood School in Caerphilly. He retired in 2007, after his cancer diagnosis and died in south Wales.

David Ibry (2017)

David Ibry (1926 – 2017) was born in Haifa, then in Palestine, on 26 August. After his parents’ divorce and his father’s subsequent death, he moved to Milan and remained in Italy for the rest of his childhood. In later life, he worked as a manager for the typewriter firm Olivetti, as an export manager, and as a humanist funeral celebrant. In 1999, he published an anthology entitled Exodus to Humanism – Identity without Religion which detailed the journeys of 26 Jewish people from Judaism to humanism. He married his first wife Isabella in 1954 and they remained married until her tragic death in a car crash along with their only child Benjamin in 1964. He then married second wife Rosalba and they had two children, Helen and Benjamin, before separating. From 1984, he spent the rest of his life with partner Cynthia.

David Kirkwood (2018)

David Francis Kirkwood (1927-2018) was born in Perth, Scotland. He had two brothers, Jack and Neil. David attended many schools, but left aged 13 to go into private service, rising to footman at Alloa House. He did his National Service in 1946, training as a parachutist with a spell in post-war Palestine. David later returned to Alloa House where he was promoted to Butler. He loved dancing which is how he met his wife Tina with whom he had two daughters June and Shona. David’s last job was as a Commissionaire in Edinburgh, after which he and Tina retired back to Perth, where he passed away on 31st August 2018. David was a grandfather to Lee, Paul, Dale and Robin and great granddad to Sam, Jenna, Sean and Faith.

David Knight (2019)

David Lawrence Knight (1955 – 2019) was born on 12 July 1955 in Leyton, East London, to Dora and Dave. He had one brother, John. David married Anne when they were 20 and 17 respectively. They had two children together, Joe and Ellie. David trained as a social worker, specialising in working with children and families including time at Snakes Lane children’s home. He took an active role in his trade union, becoming a NALGO shop steward and the branch secretary of Unison in Waltham Forest. He helped to set up the Waltham Forest ‘Stand Up for Your Rights’ organisation. David was a lifelong supporter of Leyton Orient FC. He set up their fanzine, the ‘Orientear’ in 1986 and was involved with Leyton Orient Fans’ Trust. David was a member and organiser of East London Runners club and completed 15 marathons for charity. He was honoured as a Life Member of the club. David died on 24th August 2019.

David Lindley (2018)

David Lindley (1938 – 2018) was born in Worthing on 29 March, the eldest of three children. After two years of National Service, he joined the then GPO (now BT) as a telephone engineer and later manager. David enjoyed doing DIY and dreamed of building his own home. He was also fond of making homemade wine and reading. He married wife Hilary in 1961 and they had daughters Karan and Nicky and three grandchildren.

David Michael Morris (2018)

David Michael ‘Mike’ Morris (1941–2018) was born in Trethomas, the eldest child of David Pryce Morris and Lily May. Mike attended Bedwellty Secondary Modern where his lifelong passion for rugby started. It continued through Machen Rugby Club where he played, coached, refereed and helped run the club. Mike was awarded a lifetime membership of the club where he met his wife, Ros, who he married in 1966 and with whom he travelled the world. Their second home was their caravan in Newquay. Mike leaves behind his two children Sarah and Simon and four grandchildren, Lily, Finley, Verity and Leander for whom he was ‘grampa taxi’ . Mike raised money for charity every year and loved to play golf in his later years at the Virginia Park Golf Club & Castell Heights.

David Murray (2018)

David Murray (1928 – 2018) was born on 14 December in Newport, the youngest of three children. He served as an Air Raid Precautions messenger during World War Two and then as an apprentice draughtsman once he had left school. He later qualified as a Chartered Engineer and worked for ICI in Pontypool where he ultimately became production manager of the site. David loved music and enjoyed playing the drums and taking part in amateur dramatics. He married wife June in 1955 and they had son John in 1958 before divorcing in 1978.

David Peacock (2018)

David Peacock (1956 – 2018) was born in Cassington to parents Lionel and Eileen. He had five sibling but was particularly close to his elder sister, Jessica. David attended the village school in Cassington, and then Bartholomew School in Eynsham, where he showed himself to be a bright student. After school he joined NatWest Bank but, on a trip to India, decided to change career and qualified as a nurse at the John Radcliffe Hospital. David later returned to banking with the Co-operative Bank until 2018. He had a fondness for Indian food and culture, was a keen knitter and creator of cakes.

David Richards (2017)

David Richards (1948-2017) was born in Oldham to Hilda and David. He had two older sisters, Emily and Evelyn. David attended Leicester College of Art and then Coventry College of Art for his National Diploma in Fine Art. His career in TV began at Granada Television in Manchester. He had two children, Dan and Amy, with his first wife, Susan. The family moved to London and David continued his career in television. In 1986 David met Judith whom he married in 2004. In 2000 David’s talent was rewarded with a BAFTA nomination for This Is Personal: The Hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper, and a Best Director award at the New York Film and TV Festival for the same film. He had two granddaughters, Celestine and Clementine.

David Williams (2018)

David Williams (1946–2018) was born in Merthyr Tydfil, the only child of Haydn and Anne. He attended Georgetown Primary School, followed by the County Grammar School in Merthyr. He started work for the Royal Mail as a postman, aged seventeen. David married Mary in 1969 and they moved to Swansea. He was later promoted into management and his work moved to Bridgend and then Cardiff. After retirement David worked part-time for the Inland Revenue before final retirement. He was a loving father and grandfather. David died in south Wales.

Deborah Elizabeth Smith (2020)

Deborah Elizabeth Smith was born in Tanzania on 3rd November 1958, to Harry and Doreen. She had two older brothers, Nicholas and Gregory. She grew up in Africa, where her father worked, until the age of ten. She attended a boarding school in England when she was seven but she didn’t like it there and ran away, aged eight. Remarkably she found her way back to her parents in Africa. In 1968, the family returned to the UK, where Debbie finished her education. Debbie trained to be a police officer but then moved into business management and IT. She later became an Information and Technology lecturer at Bournemouth and Poole College. She spent 25 years in that role and played a significant part in the college’s administration. In 1979 she married Chris. They had one child together, Simon, of whom Debbie was very proud. In 1994 the marriage ended. Debbie was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer but she defied the odds and, over a long period of time, her health improved. In 2002 Debbie met her partner, Colin. They were together for 18 years but only married in March 2020, after her cancer returned. She died on 12th August 2020.

Denis Williams (2018)

Denis Williams (1942 – 2018) was born in Morriston on 18 November, one of five children. He started an apprenticeship as a carpenter but then switched to working as a labourer before moving to a job at Griff Fender Removals. After leaving them, he worked variously as a crane driver and a forklift driver amongst other things. Denis enjoyed travelling around the UK and watching cowboy films. He had two sons with his first wife and then married second wife Mary and had a daughter: Rhian.

Dennis Taylor (2019)

Dennis Taylor (1943 – 2019) was born on the 18th of October in 1943 in Belfast, the fourth of five boys born to David and Jane Taylor. On leaving school, he started working in a greengrocer’s shop. He was lead vocalist and guitarist in a band called the “Blue Orchids”. Dennis left Belfast and found work as a hospital porter in Birmingham. In 1968 he married Pammi in London, where he subsequently moved, working at hospitals in Whitechapel and Acton. Later, he changed careers and worked for the United Friendly Insurance Company. Dennis and Pammi had two children, Geeta and Neil. The family relocated to Cheshire, where Dennis joined the Civil Service, where he would stay for the next twenty years. They settled in Frodsham. Dennis enjoyed gardening, snooker and music. Dennis became a member of Frodsham Town Council, serving twice as Mayor. He suffered a stroke in 2016 and in May 2019, Dennis was diagnosed with bladder cancer. He died at home on 26th October. Dennis had two grandchildren, Christopher and Alex.

Denton Brockway (2019)

Denton Wells Brockway (1944 – 2019) was born on 20th March 1944 in Kingston-on-Thames. He was a bright youngster with an uncertain start in life but loved by his mum and grandmother, with whom he lived on the south coast in Pevensey Bay. He had a sense of adventure, was capable and intelligent, and happy to turn his hand to many jobs. He became a tourist riverboat skipper on the Severn and was a well-liked character in the life of Bristol Docks. He was an accomplished upholsterer – a skill he taught. Most of all Denton was a likeable and popular character, a raconteur and storyteller, and a key member of Cross village life.

Derek ‘Del’ Thomas (2018)

Derek “Del” James Thomas (1936- 2018) was born in Hornsey, North London, to Edwin and Alice. He was the youngest of three boys with brothers David and Reggie. When Del was about six, he was evacuated to Wales until the end of the war. Del left school at 14 and worked mainly in furniture manufacture and sales, but took on many other jobs to support his family. Del met Kathleen in 1957 and they were married in 1959 in Stroud Green where they lived until 1963, when they moved to relatively rural Hertfordshire. They had three sons, Colin, Neil and Barry.

Derek Ede (2019)

Derek Royston Ede (1927 –2019) was born to Grace and Alfred Ede. He had an elder brother, Frances. He grew up in Welling, Kent. As a teenager, he became a messenger for the air raid wardens. After Dartford Grammar School, he joined the Merchant Navy. One of the ships he was on was hit during that last year of the war, but fortunately did not sink. After the war, Derek worked at Siemens and then moved to Shell’s tanker division. He travelled all over the world as a radio superintendent. Derek and Joan met at the Embassy Ballroom in Welling. They bought a bungalow in Bexley Heath. They had three children, Nevil, Paul and Victoria. In 1965 the family moved to Fleet, Hampshire. They lived there for fifty years. Derek took early retirement from Shell and worked as a magistrates court usher and as a guide at Stratfield Saye House. Later in life he started racquet stringing for local players and clubs. As a sports player he was very active in squash and badminton. Derek’s funeral was in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.

Derek Pearce (2018)

Derek Anthony Pearce (1946-2018) was born in Barry to Frederick and Betty, joining elder sister Patricia. Brother Stephen was born in 1953. In 1961 Derek went to Barry Tech College where he met Gaynor, who would later become his wife, a relationship that lasted 52 years. In 1967 he joined the police force and was promoted to Inspector in 1982. Derek and Gaynor were married in 1968 and bought a home in Bassaleg in 1972. Their son, Gerald, was born in 1973. Derek retired on health grounds in 1995 at the age of 49. He was a keen fisherman and ran his club for 25 years. His team won the police nationals in 2009. Gaynor passed away in 2011. Derek rebuilt his life and occupied his time fishing and playing bridge. Derek battled cancer from 2014, but managed to remain at home until the very end.

Desmond Jones (2019)

Desmond Charles Jones (1948 – 2019) was born in Cefn Fforest to Ivor and Miriam Jones. He grew up in South Wales and attended grammar school. In his early teens he attended the ATC and joined the RAF at the age of fifteen. He did his apprenticeship at RAF Hereford, after which he had many postings during his 20 years service. After the RAF, Des worked for the military division of the British Aircraft Corporation, and spent a considerable amount of time in Saudi Arabia. He remained in Saudi Arabia, working for Bechtel before moving back to Wales. He then studied at Glamorgan Polytechnic and gained a diploma in Personnel Management. He continued to travel for work until settling in Conwy, North Wales, where he worked for ACAS. Des eventually moved to Blackwood to be near his son, Chris and his granddaughters. He died at The Royal Gwent Hospital.

Donald Bannister (2017)

Donald Bannister (1943 – 2017) was born on 15 April in Slough, one of four children. He started out as a groundsman for Slough Council before becoming an engineer for BT and then a self-employed gardener until his retirement. Donald loved animals and the outdoors. He married Carol in 1965 and they had a son, Stewart. After they split up, he met second wife Pat in 1994 and became a stepfather to her children.

Donald Victor Goldsworthy (2018)

Donald Victor Goldsworthy (1928-2018) was born on 27th February 1928 in Leytonstone, the younger of two brothers. During the Second World War he lived with his grandparents in Colchester which led to him attending the prestigious Colchester Royal Grammar School. Donald Joined the Royal Air Force in 1945 and after being demobbed, he worked for United Rum Merchants in the City of London, eventually working his way up to chief accountant. Don met his wife Jean in a local Leytonstone youth club and they married in 1952. They had two children, Ian and Paula. Donald loved Tottenham Hotspur, DIY, and spending time with friends and family. He died on 10 May 2018, aged 90

Doreen Hughes (2020)

Doreen Hughes (1926 – 2020) was born on 16th September 1926, to John and Charlotte Cassells. She had two sisters, Catherine and Vera. Doreen left school at 15 and took a job at a photographic studio, working with Catherine. She met her husband, George at the local badminton club. They married at St George’s Church, Barrow in 1949. Doreen stopped working when their son, Peter, was born. Linda, Alan and Karen completed the family. In 1976 they moved to a bungalow with a garden, which they enjoyed developing. Doreen was a grandmother. After George retired in 1981, they joined the Hawcoat golf club and took up swimming. Doreen was widowed in 2016, after 67 years of marriage. After her second broken hip, Doreen’s health declined. She died on 9th January 2020.

Dorothy Easty (2018)

Dorothy Easty (1924 – 2018) was born in Northumberland to Charles and Maria Usher. She had two older sisters, Muriel and Brenda. Dorothy went to the Duchess’ School, in Alnwick, where she showed an early aptitude in sciences. She then studied Chemistry at University College London, gaining a first class Honours degree, and a PhD. Dorothy was Senior Lecturer in Cell Biology at the Institute of Cancer Research. She published many papers and two books, one of which became the leading textbook on the subject. Dorothy married another UCL chemist, Gerald Easty in 1948. They lived in London and had two children, Anthony and Gillian. Dorothy was an accomplished tennis player, becoming Women’s Tennis Champion at London University. As shop steward for the union ASTMS, Dorothy negotiated improved terms for part-time staff. After her retirement Dorothy volunteered at the Streatham Oxfam shop, and regularly supported the Streatham Youth and Community Trust. As Gerry’s health failed, Dorothy devoted herself to caring for him. She had five grandchildren Austin, Lewis. Daniel, Laura and Anna.

Dorothy Ormerod (2020)

Dorothy Ormerod was born on the 31st December 1925 to Annie and Robert Hargreaves. Of her seven siblings, sadly only Harry and Alice survived childhood. Dorothy married Herbert Ormerod, better known as Bert, at the Unitarian Church in Todmorden on 3rd June 1944. He was a navigator on a Lancaster bomber and was shot down over Germany soon after they were married. He was released after the war and returned home. After several miscarriages and stillbirths Diana Louise was born in 1949. She sadly died at the age of three and the couple had no more children. Dorothy did however channel her maternal instincts into working at a children’s nursery and into being a loving aunt and great aunt, demonstrating her talents at crochet, knitting and baking. Dorothy owned a haberdashery shop in Todmorden, where she enjoyed the interaction with her customers. After 67 years together, Bert died in 2011. As a couple, they had travelled a lot, but now in her 80s, Dorothy embarked on a world tour, visiting family in Australia, New Zealand and Florida. She eventually moved to Lee Mount Care Home in Halifax, as dementia slowly developed. Dorothy passed away peacefully on 8th May 2020.

Dr Alan Pratt (2019)

Dr Alan Pratt (1944 – 2019) was born on the 16th of January 1944 to Florrie and George in Lower Ince, Wigan, Greater Manchester. He had two older siblings, Frank and Marie. He passed the 11 plus and went to Hindley and Abram Grammar School. He was sporty with a special passion for Rugby League. He studied economics and economic history at Sheffield University, then stayed on to do research. He completed his master’s degree at Salford University. Alan married Hilary in 1966 and had two sons, Gareth and Jonathon. They divorced in 1983. He completed his doctorate at Bradford University in 1986. Alan’s academic career included teaching at Wigan College of Technology and lecturing in social policy at Preston Polytechnic, which became The University of Central Lancashire. He had a highly successful academic career and was a life-long active member of the Labour party. Alan met his partner Bev in 1994 and became stepfather to Abby. Bev and Alan married in 2003, shortly after his retirement. Alan had diabetes most of his adult life and in 2016 was diagnosed with vascular dementia. He contributed to research for Dementia UK. Alan died on 10th August 2019.

Dr Andersen Burrows (2019)

Dr. Andersen “Andy” Maria Burrows (1921–2019) was born in Freiburg, Germany to Ulla and Paul Otto Rosin. She had a sister, Helge, and a brother, Sebastian. When Andy was 12 the family moved to France, then to England five years later. Andy completed her secondary education at St Paul’s Girls School, then went on to study medicine at the Royal Free Hospital in London, graduating in 1945. She was married to David and had two children, Nicholas and Beverley. Andy had a long career as an A & E consultant. Outside work, she travelled the world extensively, particularly the Americas, where her son lived. Andy was very close to her granddaughter, Merrigan. They cared for each other for the last six years. Andy died in London at the Beaumont Barchester Care Home.

Dr Barry Randolph Martin (2018)

Dr Barry Randolph Martin (1936 – 2018) was born in Morden, Surrey, to Phyllis and George. He had one brother, Jim. In 1947, when he was 11, Barry won a scholarship to King’s College School in Wimbledon. In 1955, the family moved to East Grinstead and Barry won a scholarship to read mathematics at Merton College, Oxford. He went on to do a D. Phil at Sussex. Barry had a career in science. He worked at the Appleton laboratory on satellite projects including Ariel 5 and IRAS. Barry retired in 1996. He had two children, Clare and Jeremy, with his wife Philippa. He was grandfather to Adrian, Alex, Clarisse, Emma and Joe. Barry was in the Labour party and undertook a lot of voluntary work including becoming a governor of various schools.

Dr Elizabeth Rosenthal (2019)

Elizabeth Eva-Marie Rosenthal (1927 – 2019) was born in Berlin in June 1927 to Henjo and Eleonore. Her father had to leave when she was five. After several months hiding in a basement, she escaped to England in 1939 via the kindertransport scheme and was placed with a family in Oldham. Her mother joined her there two months later. Elizabeth won a scholarship to Oldham Grammar School. She then went to teacher training college and taught art briefly before attending Birkbeck College, where she completed a part-time evening degree in French. She later gained her PhD with a dissertation on women in 16th century France. In 1959, she and Eleonore got their own place and in 1974 moved to a flat in Richmond which was Elizabeth’s home for the rest of her life. All her life she supported international peace groups and was a regular interpreter at an annual international peace conference. She was very well-travelled and a skillful communicator, with many friends worldwide. Elizabeth died on 6th July 2019.

Dr Paul Schatzberger (2021)

Paul Schatzberger was born in 1950 in Manchester to Rosie and Marc, and he had a younger sister, Lesley. Paul attended Manchester Grammar school, and then spent a year on a kibbutz before studying medicine at University College London, starting in 1969. There he met his future wife, Angela. Paul qualified as a doctor in 1974 and became a GP in 1978. He and Angela had Tom in 1979 and then Katy and Becca. Family life started in Stoke Newington, London, but in 1983 they moved to Sheffield. Not long after, Paul trained in Public Health and became Primary Care Trust Director in 1987. As a keen and talented photographer, he regularly exhibited his photographs. He was also an accomplished violinist and had considered making it a career, but remained an amateur, playing with the European Doctors’ Orchestra and the Hallam Sinfonia.

Dugald Brown (2017)

Dugald Brown (1943 – 2017) was born in Bellshill, Lanarkshire on 21 October, one of five children. He joined the RAF aged seventeen after the death of his father and was stationed in Germany, the UK, and Singapore. After he left the RAF, he worked in retail in a variety of stores across the UK. Dugald enjoyed sailing and holidays in Kintyre where he played golf and fished. He also ran several marathons including the London Marathon. He married wife Tana in 1971 and they had son Duncan in 1978 and two grandchildren.

Earle Nash (2018)

Earle Derek Nash (1932-2018) was born in Bedworth, Coventry. He grew up in the family sweet shop which his mother ran. He attended King Edward VI Grammar School. He had a career with the East Midlands Electricity Board and also worked at Rootes and Armstrong Whitworth. Derek, as he became known, also served in the RAF for his national service, spending 18 months in Singapore. He married Jackie in the spring of 1959. They had two daughters, Jayne and Sally. Derek was a car and steam train enthusiast (including a high spot of driving the Flying Scotsman) and a keen photographer, making regular photo contributions to the Coventry Telegraph. In 1992 he became Grandad to Oliver. Early retirement at 62 enabled Derek and Jackie to rack up prodigious mileage walking in the British countryside. He played the piano, adored opera and loved his cricket.

Edward ‘Keith’ John (2018)

Edward ‘Keith’ John (1942 – 2018) was born on 30 April in Haverfordwest, the fifth of seven children. He worked as a fitter for the Gas board in Grangetown. Keith liked going on Mediterranean cruises with his wife and spending time with his family. He married Christine in 1967 and they had two children: Diane and Mark. Funeral conducted by Steve Parry.

Eileen Walker (2016)

Eileen Walker (1926-2016) was born on 31 January and grew up in Stapleton, which was then a village outside Bristol. After serving in the Land Army during the war she worked at Kinzie’s department store and later became a psychiatric nurse at Barrow Gurney Hospital. Eileen absolutely loved to cook and enjoyed long walks across Durdham Downs. She married Reg and they had two daughters: Hazel and Heather. She and Reg separated and she met Laurie with whom she lived happily until his death in 2004.

Elaine Kimber (2020)

Elaine Ann Kimber (1950 – 2019) was born Elaine Ashby, in Leicester on 14th March 1950. She had an older sister, Gillian, and younger brother, David. Her father died when she was nine. At school she excelled in all subjects and developed an aptitude for art and crafts. She was also a talented hurdler and discus thrower. She represented Leicester Schools in national events. Elaine became a PE teacher and moved to Bedford, teaching at Long Stratton High School for 39 years. During that time her role developed into classroom teaching and pastoral roles. She became a mentor and supporter of junior staff, and also took on the role of Acting Assistant Head at various times. Her first marriage, to Glenn Rooke, gave her two sons, Ben and Tom, born in 1977 and 1980 respectively. In 2000, Elaine rekindled an old friendship with Nigel Kimber, an old teaching colleague. They lived together in Norwich and married in 2009. She played hockey for Harleston Magpies, and also helped run Bunwell Hockey Club. She was Ladies Captain of her golf club in 2006 and 2018. Elaine had three grandchildren, Charlotte, Freyja and Joseph. For the last eighteen months, following her diagnosis, she was frequently in the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, where she died on 12th December 2019.

Elaine Murphy (2017)

Elaine Murphy (1963 – 2017) was born in Dagenham on 31 May, the youngest of three children. She worked in various careers, firstly in a children’s clothes shop and finally as a dinner lady. She enjoyed travelling around the world and spending time with her family. She met her partner Dave in 1986 and they had three children: Kelsey, Connor, and Mitchell.

Elaine Thomas (2019)

Elaine Thomas (1950-2019) was born in Accrington to Mary and Edward Dean. She had a younger sister, Annette. She attended Accrington Girls’ Grammar School and then Manchester College of Art. She was married briefly to a fellow student, Mark Thomas, in 1971. In 1973, Elaine became a fine art lecturer at Ulster Polytechnic in Belfast, where she remained for 23 years, eventually becoming Dean of Art and Design. In 1996, she became Dean of Cultural Studies at Sheffield Hallam University. From 2000, Elaine was director of the Surrey Institute of Art & Design, overseeing its transformation into the University for the Creative Arts. Professor Thomas retired as vice-chancellor in 2011, the year she was appointed CBE for her outstanding contribution to the creative arts in Higher Education. She was chair of the Council for Higher Education in Art & Design.

Elizabeth Anne Bather (2022)

Elizabeth (Liz) Anne Bather (1961- 2022) was born in Paddington, London on 29^th August 1961 to Blodwen and Lloyd Wynne Bather, a sister to Glenda and Paul.  After attending Sarah Siddons School in Paddington, Liz spent all her life living in the Notting Hill area of West London.   She worked as a legal secretary in South Kensington before working with Link Financial after which she became a Benefits Officer for Brent Council.  As a volunteer, Liz worked for Victim Support and the Missing People charities.  Liz’s interests included going to the theatre and travelling.

Ella Booker (2021)

Ella Booker (1983 – 2021) was born Helen Demeter Imogen Booker on 17th February 1983 to Julia and Alex. She grew up in Clapham, London, in a very creative community.  In 2000 Ella took part in the Millennium Challenge, climbing Mount Snowdon and walking to Land’s End.  Ella was a regular visitor to Jersey where some of her family lived, and where she got to know her half-sisters, Frøya and Alexandra.  Ella’s first degree was at the University of the Creative Arts in Rochester where she achieved a BA in jewellery design. She then did teacher training and taught design and technology before completing a Masters in Conservation. She worked for Canterbury Cathedral and for private clients. She was a talented potter and sold her art online. Tom was Ella’s partner for seven and a half years and they were due to marry in 2022. Ella died on 6th March 2021.

Elsie Christine Hart (2021)

Elsie Christine Hart was born 25th December 1920 in Shoreditch, the eldest of six, Gladys, Dolly, Jim, Evelyn and Ann. Her father James Webb worked at Odham’s Press in Fleet St then the family moved to Cranham in Essex where the children enjoyed growing up in the countryside. She and Gladys worked at the Co-Op shirt Factory in Upminster until Elsie joined the WRAF in 1941 and was posted to Newton Ferrars in Devon. Elsie’s sweetheart, Sydney, had joined the Royal Navy in 1938 and they married in Hornchurch in March 1944 returning to active service. They first lived with Elsie’s parents, where in 1946 Lynn was born. They were allotted a first home in a prefab in Rainham then moved on to a council house back in Cranham where Ian was born. When Sydney died in 2000, Elsie moved to a retirement complex and then on to Audley Court in Saffron Walden. Elsie lived a very active life despite losing her sight, moving finally to live with her daughter Lynn in 2009. Elsie died at home, four days after celebrating her 100th birthday.

Elsie Penfound (2017)

Elsie Penfound (1919 – 2017) was born Elsie Johns in Plymouth on 28 June. She was the middle child of five. She worked as a waitress before her marriage to George in 1943. They had two children: John and Julia. Elsie used her artistic talent to make pottery animals for Tremar Pottery and produced prize-winning homemade wines and pasties. Following her husband’s retirement, they travelled the United Kingdom in their caravan until his death.

Emma Louise Morley (2021)

Emma Louise Morley (1979 – 2021) was born on 11^th May 1979 to David and Sheila, the elder sister of Phil.  Growing up in Birmingham and Dudley, Emma attended King Edward’s Sixth Form College. She went to Bradford University, gaining a Degree in Environmental Management followed by a Diploma of Industrial Studies.  Emma worked for Aqua Enviro for all her career, initially as a Process Scientist, then progressing to Laboratory Manager and Senior Process Scientist.  Aqua Enviro sponsored Emma through her Master’s Degree in Environmental Engineering and Project Management.  Emma was a keen gamer particularly enjoying Splendor, Dungeons and Dragons, Settlers of Catan.  It was over a game of Magic: The Gathering, that Emma met Richard.  They married at Bagden Hall on 21^st April 2011 and their son Benjamin was born on 1^st September 2013.

Enid Ashton (2018)

Enid Ashton (1922 – 2018) was born Enid Stott in Blackley near Manchester on 11 October. She began working for Barclays Bank and then during World War Two she joined the Women’s Royal Naval Service. In her later life, she ran a greengrocers with her husband John for many years. Enid enjoyed travelling across Europe with John and painting in oils and watercolours. She married John in 1948 and they had two children: Patricia and Jonathan, five grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren.

Eric Farmer (2018)

Eric John Farmer (1930–2018) was born in Barry, the eldest son of George and Iris, and the elder brother of Kenneth and George. Eric enjoyed the Air Training Corp but his asthma prevented him from joining the RAF. After leaving Gladstone Road School, he started an apprenticeship with study at Barry Technical College. He also met Kathleen, whom he married six years later. They had five children, Karen, Ian, Andy, Lynda and Maria. Eric worked hard as a car mechanic and fitter. He was passionate about music and played the piano and organ. He was also a keen model maker. Eric was grandfather to Callum, Hannah, Tom, Sam and Leighton, and great grandfather to Brianna. Eric died in Barry, after a fall.

Ernest James ‘Jim’ Partridge (2018)

Ernest James ‘Jim’ Partridge (1939-2018) was born on 15 August in Ynysmeudwy, one of two children. His father died when he was very young and he chose never to speak about his childhood. He worked briefly as a machinist, where he met Wendy whom he married in 1959. He applied to join the RAF but ended up joining the South Wales Borderers and Wendy and his son Steve joined him in postings around the world, including the Far East and Northern Ireland. He loved gardening, something he continued as he lost his sight. Wendy died in 2011

Ernest Powell (2020)

Ernest Walter Powell (1931 – 2020) was born in Cardiff on the 18th July 1931 to Walter and Queenie. He had two younger siblings, Trevor and Barbara. They grew up during the second world war with their father away in the army for long periods. Ernest attended Splott Road School, followed by the Howard Gardens Grammar School for Boys. He left school aged fifteen and initially worked as a labourer, then a mechanic before starting his apprenticeship with the Wales Gas Board. In 1949, he was called up to do his National Service and joined the Royal Signal Corp, training as a radio operator and was shipped overseas to Singapore and Hong Kong. At the end of his National Service he returned home to complete his apprenticeship and became a gas fitter. Walter married Beryl in the 1950s. Deborah was born in 1959 and Vincent in 1968. They eventually settled in a house with a large garden, where Walter liked to spend his time growing vegetables. They were members of the St Albans Sport and Social Club, where Walter played bowls and skittles. In 1984, Walter retired from British Gas and worked part time until 1990, when Beryl died. Walter was very close to his grandchildren, Matthew, Samantha, Ben and Josh, and would often go on holiday with them. He remained independent until signs of Alzheimer’s appeared and he needed more support and care. He moved into Danesbrook House, where he died at the age of 88 on the 28th of January 2020.

Evelyn Hills (2017)

Evelyn Hills (1916 – 2017) was born Evelyn Morgan on 13 May in Dulwich, the eldest of two girls. Evelyn enrolled on a secretarial course and then went to work for the Westminster Bank. During World War Two, she was an active fire watcher. Evelyn was a keen gardener and was interested in history and archaeology, participating in a number of archaeological digs. She met her husband Eric in 1936 and they were married in 1939. They had daughter Tricia in 1946, two grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Fay Lima (2017)

Fay Lima (1934 – 2017) was born Fay Stokes in Barry on 15 February. She was the second of four children. She worked as an usher at the Theatre Royal and through this met her husband Gilbert. They had six children: Robert, Lena, Tony, Maxine, Margaret, and Nick. They later divorced and Fay married Graham. She enjoyed knitting and gardening and had various jobs throughout her life including as a barmaid, a stewardess, and a housekeeper.

Flora Pearce (2019)

Florence Vera Pearce was born on 1st October 1916 in Brixton, London. She married her first husband, Fred, in 1937 and they had three daughters – two of whom died. They adopted a son and, after the war, had twin girls. During the war the family were evacuated to Somerset, a time of happy memories for Florence and her family. Vera and Fred divorced and Vera later married Horace.
Vera was always game for a laugh and liked to dress up for Halloween. It was Vera’s ambition to reach her 103rd birthday and she lived to celebrate it. Despite being blind for the last ten years of her life, Vera lived independently at home with support. She was a great walker and in her ‘90s walked all the way around the lake at Stourhead. Vera attributed her longevity to drinking milk, eating scampi and having the occasional glass of Baileys.

Frances Winch (2019)

Frances Girbow Winch (1931–2019) was born in Coventry in 1931, the only daughter of Dinah and Arthur Girbow. Frances went to grammar school before studying History at Bedford College, London, after which she qualified as a teacher. Her first teaching job was at Thistley Hough School in Stoke on Trent where she worked from 1953 to 1959. Frances then taught in Tanganyika and Nigeria, where she became a school principal. She married her American husband, Fred, in Battle in 1966. They moved to the USA, and it was there that their daughters Dinah & Jill were born. They then moved again to West Africa, where Frances continued teaching. Frances and the girls settled back in England, moving in with her now widowed mother, in Fairlight, East Sussex. Frances got a job at Helenswood School in nearby Hastings, where she stayed till the late 80s. She adored her grandchildren May and Ellis. In retirement she took up botanical recording. She was Chair of the local branch of Amnesty for many years. Frances died in Fairlight.

Frank Edward Brown (2017)

Frank Edward Brown (1950 – 2017) was born in Ramsgate on 12 February, the eldest of three boys. He studied at the School of Architecture, following this with a Master’s degree from University College of London and a PhD from the Open University. Frank spent some time working as an architect before becoming a university lecturer. He was a talented artist and keen birdwatcher. He met his wife Anne in 1982 and they had a daughter, Catherine, before divorcing in 1987.

Frank Guilfoyle (2020)

Frank Guilfoyle (1936 – 2020) was born on 12th January 1936. He lost his father when he was young and was raised by his mother, Mary and step-father, Joe. He was one of fourteen children. After leaving the local Catholic school, he worked as an apprentice projectionist and then made deliveries for a bakery. Frank met his future wife, Renee, shortly before starting his National Service. He spent three years in the Royal Army Service Corps, much of it in Germany. He and Renee were married on 22nd February 1958. They had a cottage in Ossett, where David was born. Frank worked for a coal merchant before gaining his HGV licence and becoming a long-distance lorry driver. After a move to Wood Street, Diane and Mike were born. In 1979 Frank and Renee divorced, only to remarry in 1987. He retired at the age of 60 for health reasons. Frank was a fan of horse-racing and keen on woodwork. He was a grandfather to Brett, JP, Lisa, Philip and Maddison, as well as a great-grandfather to Ethan and Evan. Frank died on 8th January 2020.

Frankie Karena Murison (2017)

Frankie Karena Murison (1956 – 2017) was born in Kingsbury, London on 28 December, the eldest of her mother’s four children. She joined the police at 18 before undertaking several other jobs with her last a role as Staff Welfare Officer at Varndean College. Frankie enjoyed musical theatre, walking, and spending time with her family. She married Martin and had a daughter, Lucy, and one grandchild. Martin and Frankie separated in 2008 and she later met Phil who she remained with until her death.

Freda Sack (2019)

Freda Ann Sack (1951-2019) was born in Middlesex to Bernard and Betty. The family soon moved to Kent. She had a younger sister, Linda. Freda went to Maidstone College of Art to study Typographic Design. It was during this time that she met John, whom she married in 1972, a marriage that lasted for 47 years. Her first job was at Letraset International. In 1978 Freda became senior type designer to Hardy Williams Design in London. In 1983 Freda went freelance and set up The Foundry in 1990. Freda was passionate about typography, working tirelessly for the ISTD and lectured at numerous institutions. She was awarded an Honorary Degree by the University of the Creative Arts and an Honorary Fellowship of the ISTD. Freda and John were both yoga teachers, and very active in the world of yoga. They were also both keen scuba divers. Freda died in Surrey.

Freda White (2020)

Freda White was born in Yiewsley in Middlesex on 7th January 1927, the fourth of six children to Fred and Elizabeth Robinson. Growing up she enjoyed the freedom of the countryside and also experienced city life in Nottingham visiting her aunt and uncle. When Freda was 9 the family moved to a new estate in Farnborough in Kent and Freda progressed from the village school to the senior school in Orpington via the 11+ exams and then at 13 attended Chiselhurst Technical college to learn shorthand and typing. However, her Dad was transferred to Blackpool for war work and as their house there was under the flightpath of German bombers they spent many a night in the air raid shelter. At 15 Freda went to work in a solicitor’s office but at 17 she joined the Land Army, in Nottingham and then in Kent. Here she met her future husband Jack, her friend Christine’s cousin, at a local dance and they married in their early twenties. They had three children, Geoff, Hazel and Sheila and life as a young mum was hard, looking after the elderly sitting tenant in their house in Farnborough and a young family, with few conveniences and general post war deprivations. Nevertheless, the children remember wonderful family Christmases and family holidays. Freda took strawberry picking jobs to help financially and later office and pub work. She and Jack moved to Poole where Jack died when Freda was only 66 but she determinedly kept fit and busy and was an active grandma and great grandma into her 90’s when she began to experience signs of dementia. She moved to the Court House Care Home in 2019 where she was very happy until her peaceful death on 11 August 2020.

Frederick Richardson (2019)

Frederick ‘George’ Richardson (1927-2019) was born in a small village in rural Cambridgeshire. He was the oldest of four children. From a very early age, George worked on farms, along with the rest of his family. At school, he passed his eleven plus exam but the family could not afford for him to continue with his education. George did National Service and served in India. He had three daughters, Beverley, Petrina and Marion, with his second wife, Mary. The family moved to Peterborough, where George worked in the brickworks. After redundancy, they moved to Outwell in Norfolk, where George, once again, worked on the land. George died in Norfolk. He had six grandchildren, Lewis, Deven, Charlotte, Isobel, Bethany and Jake.

Gareth Davies (2019)

Gareth Bowen Davies (1943–2019) and his twin sister, Mair, were born in Tonypandy. Their mother Gerith Mair, died during childbirth. The twins were brought up by their maternal grandparents until their father, Dai, returned from the Army after the war. Gareth left school at 15 and became an apprentice painter and decorator with the council. Gareth met Ann when he was sixteen. They married four years later. They had three children, Carol, Leanne and Gareth who sadly only lived for three hours. He was a very proud grandfather to Rachael, Tamara, Shauna and Hollie and great grandfather to Cain and Lexi. Gareth was Ann’s carer for years until he was admitted to hospital after collapsing at home. He was looked after in the intensive care unit at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital until he died.

Garry John Apps (2022)

Garry John Apps (1964 – 2022) was born in Chartham, Kent on 15th July 1964 to Fred and Jean Apps, the youngest brother of Les, Martin and Linda.  He attended Chatham primary and secondary schools.  Garry worked for various Estate Agents in Canterbury, as a drinks representative for United Distillers, as a ganger for Ovenden and he was Logistics Manager for Multi Services Kent (MSK).  Garry had two main interests, sport and music.  He was a member of the Canterbury Rugby Club for over thirty years playing and helping to run the Zingari XV.  He was a life-long supporter of Spurs FC and enjoyed cricket.  Garry was a self-taught pianist, guitarist and ukulele player and had an eclectic taste in music.  He also enjoyed reading, baking and gardening at the family home in Bridge and at the local allotment. Garry was first married to Carrie and then to Jo, with whom he had two sons Seb and Reuben.

Garry Kevin Quinn (2021)

Garry Kevin Quinn was born in London on 22^nd October 1971 and had four siblings.  Garry trained as a cabinet maker and joiner which became his trade, working for various firms across London.  Garry loved the countryside, the sea and animals.  In 2014, with his partner Angela they moved to a cottage in East Sussex where together they enjoyed the outdoor life.  Throughout his life Garry helped people, having a strong sense of responsibility that he should help others when they were in need.  Garry became ill and with the impact of the lockdowns and strains from the Covid-19 pandemic, his mental health declined.  He died at home on 29^th April 2021 with Angela at his side.

Gaye Elizabeth Whistlecraft (2021)

Gaye Elizabeth Bohane was born on 5^th December 1957 in Tunbridge Wells. With less than three years between them, Gaye was close to her two elder brothers, Phil and Bruno. Her passion for gardens and cooking were inspired by her parents, and from her childhood she loved cats.

Gaye loved driving and after leaving school, Gaye worked for Mazda driving imported cars to US airbases.

Gaye married Mark and they had two sons, Ben and Sam. Having moved to Worcestershire, Gaye started work as a night-carer in a children’s boarding school before working for many years at Worcestershire County Council, initially as a senior clerk in the team inspecting children’s establishments. In later years she was PA to the Director of Adult and Community Services and then to the Director of Public Health.

Gaye had worked with Robin at the Council, but it was several years later when a chance encounter led to their marriage in 2011. Taking early retirement in 2018 Gaye and Robin moved to Tunbridge Wells.  They bought a campervan and electric bikes, enjoyed visits to National Trust gardens and extended visits to Europe as well as spending more time with family and friends.

Over the years Gaye had long-lasting, close friendships, some from her early childhood, others from schooldays. She became a core member of ‘The Lettuces’, a close group of female friends who enjoyed holidays together, often in Pembrokeshire and celebrating special occasions, including Gaye’s 60^th birthday in France.

Geoffrey Berry (2020)

Geoffrey Berry, Geoff, was born on 14th June 1947 in Heptonstall, West Yorkshire, to George and Elsie Berry, with elder sisters Barbara and Sonia and later, a younger brother Philip to whom Geoff remained very close. At school Geoff preferred practical subjects and in his spare time pursued his fascination with cars, especially Minis. He became a mechanic with the Post Office in Bradford, attending evening classes to get his qualifications, later transferring to BT where he enjoyed working in the engineering division for more than 30 years. He met Diane in his teens and courted her attentively. They married on 24th July 1971 at Carlinghow Parish Church in Batley followed by a two night honeymoon in Blackpool. Throughout their happy marriage they made many wonderful friends through their various hobbies and interests. They followed Bellevue Speedway and made friends at the Prospect Inn in Halifax. Then Geoff raced for Hebden Royd Motocross Club. Always keen on country music he and Diane took up line dancing. Friends here introduced them to cruising which they took to enthusiastically, exploring all over the world. They were drawn into backstage work with the Halifax Amateur Operatic society when their dog Monty won a part in Annie. Monty and his companion Max, two of the several golden retrievers loved by Geoff and Diane also appeared on stage at the Alhambra in Bradford, this time accompanied by Geoff himself. Geoff was a keen football fan too attending Manchester United matches with friends and playing five-a-side himself. Geoff remained active, enjoying life and working until the Covid lockdown started. Nobody would have anticipated his death, on August 15th 2020.

Geoffrey Kidson (2019)

Geoffrey Kidson (1927–2019) was born near Wolverhampton to Norman and Vera. He had a younger brother, John. Geoffrey won a scholarship to Wolverhampton Grammar School. He then went to Merton College, Oxford, to study ancient literature, history and philosophy. After university, he did two years’ National Service, as a Pilot Officer in the Royal Air Force. Geoffrey joined the Civil Service in 1952, as an Inland Revenue tax inspector. He relocated to Bolton, where he met Margaret. They were married in 1954. Mike, Anne and Caroline came along over the next few years. After retiring from the Inland Revenue, Geoffrey ran a small tax consultancy firm for a few years. After Margaret’s premature death in 1995, he got involved in the University of the Third Age, where he led the History and Playreading groups. Geoffrey had three grandchildren, Eleanor, Isabel and Emily.

Geoffrey Tomlinson-Roe (2019)

Geoffrey Tomlinson-Roe (1928 – 2019) was born on 13 July 1928 at Chalkdale Workhouse, near Hitchin. His mother, Joyce Tomlinson, was unmarried and reluctantly gave him up for adoption by Reverend Alfred Roe, and his wife Nellie. He attended Wilshire Dacre Primary school and Old Hale Way Secondary School. After the untimely deaths of his adoptive parents in 1942 and 1943 respectively, Geoffrey went to a workhouse in Liverpool where was prepared for a life at sea. By 1944, sixteen year-old Geoffrey had signed up for the Merchant Navy. In 1947, he returned to civilian life in Hitchin and he began work in the building trade. In 1952, he married Alma Dwight, with whom he had four children, Dianne, Susan, Martin and Jason. He built up a successful construction business which he sold in 1979. He stayed in touch with his birth-mother and had eight half brothers and sisters. Geoffrey and Alma divorced in the mid 1980s but stayed close for their five grandchildren. He later met Peggy Stevens, who was his partner for the last 30 years. In 1991 he retired and did a lot of travelling. In 2012, Geoffrey was lucky to survive serious heart issues. He was admitted to The Milford Lodge Nursing Home, for his final weeks. He died on 31st October 2019.

George Edward Moore (2021)

George Edward Moore was born on 10^th January 1947 to George and Isa.  Known as ‘Nobby’ by his older sister Renee and younger sister Anne, George was brought up in Bow, London, and later Dagenham, where he attended Eastbrook Secondary School.  At 15 he was apprenticed to a local butcher.  Meeting his future wife Sandra at a dance hall, in 1968 George and Sandra migrated to South Africa where George started working in the butchery department of Stuttafords, Cape Town.  After two years they moved to Durban and toured Swaziland, Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Mozambique before returning to England.  Setting up home in Tilbury, George returned to working as a butcher.

In 1974 George and Sandra made their way overland to Australia via Europe, the Middle East and India.  They lived in Perth for a year before moving to New Zealand then settled in Sydney.  After a few years they returned overland to the UK, taking their time to explore the Far East, India and Crete.  Returning to their home in Tilbury, George started working in Asda where he stayed for 27 years.  In the 1980s, George and Sandra travelled to Miami and toured South America before spending a few months in the US and Canada.

George and Sandra married in 1979 and in 1985 their daughter Edwina was born.  At the age of 48 George suffered a serious stroke but continued to enjoy travelling, returning to South Africa several times with Edwina and her husband Tom.  George loved being a dad and grandad to Rose.  He died on 15^th April 2021.

George Francis Clive Veness (2021)

Known as Clive as a young man, George Veness was born in Tunbridge Wells to Jack and Olive on 4^th September 1947, and had a sister, Sheila. He studied engineering, but gave that up to follow his passion – music, initially working in Tottenham for George Rogers Ltd, a piano maker. George was a gifted keyboard player and had a fascination for pianolas. He was an active member of the Player Piano Group of Great Britain.

As a skilled craftsman, particularly in wood, his specialities were creating music stands and clavichords. For pleasure, George not only made his own instruments but also restored many, including pianos, dulcimers, recorders, and his hurdy gurdy. George created a notable collection of historic instruments known as The Stanhope Collection (now a charity). He had many other interests, including singing, dancing, gardening, cats, Winchelsea Beach, Austin Sevens and all things French, all of which brought him much joy and many friends.

George Huck (2016)

George Huck (1955-2016) was born in England but the family moved to Glasgow when he was a baby. He worked as a hospital engineer in Glasgow and in the Middle East before returning to the UK in 2000. As a youth, George went on a number of Glasgow Corporation subsidized youth exchanges to Iceland, Germany and other parts of Europe. George was a keen and able dinghy sailor who taught youngsters how to sail. George met his second wife Susan while working in Saudi Arabia. They had a son, Alan. Before he died, aged 61, George was able to reconnect with his estranged son.

George King (2018)

George King (1933 – 2018) was born on 23 May in Leicester, the third of four children. He trained firstly as a painter and decorator but, after his National Service, became an electrician and remained in this profession until his retirement. After his retirement, he volunteered at the community centre in Croydon and became President of the Residents’ Association. He married wife Marilyn in London and they had three children: Trevor, Johanna, and Debbie, before their separation.

Gerald Easty (2011)

Gerald Easty (1926–2011) Gerry was born in Hampstead. He was the only child of Charlie and Edith. He went to grammar school, where he showed an aptitude in the sciences. Gerry studied Chemistry at University College London, gaining a first class Honours degree, and a PhD. He spent his career in cancer research, becoming Head of Department of Cell Biology at the Institute of Cancer Research. In 1948 he married Dorothy, whom he had met at UCL. Gerry and Dorothy worked together in the same laboratory for 28 years. They had two children, Anthony and Gillian. After his retirement he endured much ill-health, but never allowed this to spoil his love of art, which included his own creations, including drawings, sculptures and a mural at the couple’s Languedoc home.

Gillian Bollard (2017)

Gillian Bollard (1932 – 2017) was born Gillian Askwith on 3 February in Ramsgate, Kent, an only child. She attended Swanley Horticultural College but left to get married. She married husband David in 1952 and they had three children: Diane, Sheila, and Alan. Gillian loved cats, pottery, and gardening, regularly winning the Royal Horticultural Society Banksian medal.

Gladys Chapman (2019)

Gladys Flora Gertrude Chapman (1927 – 2019) was born in Birmingham in February 1927. She was one of eight children. She helped out at home from an early age and, after leaving school, worked in a munitions factory. She left to join the army as a cook for the Officer’s Hospital at Harewood House. After the war, Gladys got married to a soldier and had a daughter, Cynthia. As a young mother, she contracted tuberculosis and was sent away to hospital for a year. Gladys was a self-taught artist, dressmaker and organist. She had two grandsons, Sonny and Leo, whom she enjoyed taking on holiday in their caravan. Gladys died on 31st October 2019.

Glen Shorey (2019)

Glen Shorey (1993-2019) was born in St. Albans to Paul and Ellen. He had two brothers, Adam and Gavin and two sisters, Rachel and Michelle. Glen went to St Michael’s Church of England primary school and Sandringham secondary school. When he was only 16, he did a sky-dive, raising £4,500 for Great Ormond Street Hospital. It was while he was at secondary school that he started experiencing the early stages of Friedreich’s Ataxia. By the time he was 11 he was using a wheelchair. He never complained about it. He was determined, pragmatic and fearless. He arranged his own accommodation and care and he was a powerful voice for social justice, for disability rights and was a member of the Disability Access Group. He was always fighting for change. Glen was an active member of the Labour Party and passionate about the NHS. He died peacefully, in St. Albans, surrounded by his family.

Glyn Davies (2017)

Glyn Davies (1921-2017) was born in Wales and spent much of his childhood in the workhouse, first in Griffithstown and then in Aberdare. At fifteen, Glyn was sent to Rossie House in Camberwell before the offer of an apprenticeship in nursery gardening allowed him to take lodgings in Streatham. His training was interrupted by the outbreak of the Second World War and conscription into the Navy. Returning home after four years service, Glyn worked on the railways before becoming a gardener in Dulwich Park, and later a gardener for Sydenham Girls’ School and caretaker at Kelvin Grove School. He traveled to many European destinations with his partner Derek, the pair enjoying an active social life in London.

Gordon Claridge (2021)

Gordon Claridge was born on 23^rd January 1932 to Bertha and Sydney in Walsall, West Midlands. He had an older sister, Beryl. Gordon studied Psychology at London’s University College and after gaining his doctorate he worked as a research assistant and clinical psychologist at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Southampton. Following a few years working in Bristol at the hospital and teaching at the university, Gordon moved to Glasgow in 1964 to run the university’s Post Graduate Diploma Course in Clinical Psychology. Gordon finally settled in Oxford in 1974 when he joined the Department of Abnormal Psychology, became a Fellow of Magdalen College and later gained a professorship.

Well regarded for his scholarship, empirical rigour and support for original research ideas, Gordon left a legacy of books and papers which extended the psychological understanding of mental health experiences and specifically, on the theory and construct of schizotypy. Gordon’s work took him to conferences overseas and he was a media spokesperson on radio and television.  He was a member of the British Psychological Society and the Royal College of Psychiatrists, and became President of the International Society for the Study of Individual Differences. Gordon continued to devote himself to his studies, research and teaching for many years after his official retirement.

Gordon was a keen cyclist, took an interest in cars, entering the London to Brighton rally, and enjoyed visiting museums and exhibitions and watching films.

With his first wife June, Gordon had three sons Iain, Paul and Andrew. David and Emma were born to Gordon and his second wife, Rosemary. He later became a much-loved grandad.  Gordon died on 3^rd May 2021.

Gordon Cunningham (2017)

Gordon James Cunningham (1930 – 2017) was born in Coventry on 28 August 1930 to Tom and Marjorie. He had an older brother, Norman. Gordon showed great promise at school, particularly in the sciences, and also in sport. He played rugby for the school and continued to play in adult life. After leaving school, Gordon completed an apprenticeship as a chemist at Wyley’s, on completion of which he was awarded the Freedom of the City of Coventry. At 18 he did his National Service in the RAF. In 1951, Gordon married his childhood sweetheart, Maureen, a marriage that would last for 71 years. Their son, Greg, was born soon after and in 1952 they bought their first home in Coventry. In 1953, Gordon joined the Coventry and Warwickshire Police, rising to the rank of sergeant. In 1955, Julia was born. Gordon retired from the police, after 32 years, at the age of 55. Gordon was a grandfather to Alexandra, Andrew, and Lee. In his final years he began to struggle with dementia. In 2014 he moved into Attleborough Grange care home, where he died on 3 July 2017.

Gordon Jacobs (2014)

Gordon Jacobs (1928 – 2014) was born in Wells on 24 September, one of eight children. During World War II he joined the RAF and after the war became a Chartered Surveyor, working for the Government’s Estates until his retirement in 1991. Gordon enjoyed travelling the world, playing golf, and taking care of his many dogs. He married wife Jean in 1952 and they had two children: Andrew and Fiona.

Gordon Stanley Marshall (2021)

Gordon Stanley Marshall (1934 – 2021) was born on 30^th January 1934 in Shepperton, Middlesex, the youngest brother of Norman, Ronnie and Jean.  After leaving Ashford County Grammar School, at sixteen Gordon started work in a construction company in Feltham.  For his National Service Gordon served in the Royal Artillery in Germany and qualified as a surveyor.  Returning to the UK Gordon became a Site Engineer, then Site Agent for Hadsphaltic Construction, which became Johnston Construction where Gordon became Director for the Midlands and North regions.  He worked on major construction projects in the UK and abroad, including the runway at Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands.  Gordon married Muriel and living in Barford, Warwickshire.  They had two children Sam and Paul and four grandchildren. Gordon later married Helen and moved to Burmington where he was active in the local community, becoming Treasurer of Burmington Parish Meeting.  A keen dog lover, Gordon’s other interests included classical and jazz music.  A supporter of Brentford FC Gordon was keen on sport.  He played football, badminton, squash and golf, becoming an honorary member of Broadway Golf Club.

Graham Holder (2018)

Graham Holder (1937 – 2018) was born in Cardiff on the 28 August, the eldest of three brothers. He undertook an apprenticeship as a plant fitter and then joined the Royal Engineers building roads in Cyprus for his National Service. After this, he underwent further training and eventually worked for Coles Cranes, repairing cranes across the world. He enjoyed travelling with his wife and spending time with his children and grandchildren. He married wife Margo when he was twenty and they had three children: Carole, Mark, and Wendy.

Hanna Henry (2019)

Hanna Henry (1919 – 2019) was born in Athens in 1941, ten years after her two brothers, Peretz and Eliyahou. The family had to take fake identities and move to a remote village during the war, but returned to Athens in 1945. Hanna and her parents moved to Israel in 1950. She went to school in Tel Aviv. When her father died, Hanna and her mother moved to London where Hanna took her A levels and then began to study Law. They moved to Cambride in the early 1960s, where Hanna took a secretarial job at a bank. She married William in 1968. After a brief time living in Edinburgh, the couple returned to Cambridge, where Adam was born. They then moved to Stevenage, where Reuben was born. When William joined the RAF, they moved to Lincolnshire and then Pembrokeshire, where Benjamin was born. After another move to Norfolk, they finally settled back in Cambridge, where Hanna again worked as a secretary. After recovering from cancer, Hannah was diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis. For the last ten years of her life Hanna needed to use a wheelchair but she continued to maintain an active life. In their retirement Hanna and William had joined the Cambridge Jewish Residents’ Association and the University of the Third Age. Hannah died on 7th October 2019.

Harold Blackham (2009)

Harold Blackham (1903-2009) was a leading British humanist philosopher, writer and educationalist and is considered one of the pioneers of modern humanism. He was born in West Bromwich and following the end of World War I he attended Birmingham University. He played an important part in forming the British Humanist Association (now Humanists UK) and was a founding member of the International Ethical and Humanist Union (IHEU). He died in 2009 aged 105.

Harold Rhodes (2010)

Harold Leo Rhodes (1923-2010) was born in Newcastle to Charles and Mary Rhodes and had a younger sister, Maureen. They moved to London when Harold was 10, where he studied engineering. He became a Bevin Boy during the war, working in the Staffordshire coal mines. Harold was interested in politics and joined the Labour Party as a young man where he met his wife of 64 years, Ursula. They had a daughter, Judith. Harold worked for the National Coal Board rising to the role of Director of Overseas Mining. They retired to Harrogate in 1986. Harold was a quick-witted, humorous man and a keen walker. He was a crossword ace, setting crosswords for the Financial Times.

Harry Mellanby (2017)

Harry Mellanby (1930 – 2017) was born in County Durham on 6 October and grew up near Stockton-on-Tees. He worked in local government, was responsible for the building of the Strode Swimming Pool, and had a street named after him. He enjoyed watching football, travelling, and gardening. Harry married Jean in 1953 and they had three children, John, Steve, and Elizabeth, five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Hazel Birkby Pennington (2019)

Hazel Birkby Pennington (1928 – 2019) was born on the 9th of June 1928 in Richmond, Surrey, to Isabelle and Reginald. She had two brothers and three sisters. She went to Trafalgar Junior School in Twickenham and Nella Secondary School. She left school at fifteen and trained as a tracer of technical drawings. She taught herself to play the piano by ear and she had a beautiful singing voice. Hazel joined the WAAF at age 19, where she met Alec Pennington. They were married in 1949. Their first child died whilst still a baby, which affected Hazel deeply. Their daughter, Hazel Ann, was born in 1951. The family was posted to Germany until 1957, when they returned to live in Wiltshire. Hazel again worked locally as a tracer. In 1968 the family moved to London, where Hazel took on the lease of a tobacconists/sweet shop. The life did not suit Hazel and she had a nervous breakdown, aged 45, and could no longer run the shop. With Hazel Ann now married, Alec and Hazel moved to the Northumberland Moors. Alec and Hazel divorced in 1977, so she moved to Newcastle Upon Tyne near where her daughter and husband lived. After a severe asthma attack in 1989, Hazel moved nearer to Chester, where her daughter now lived. Hazel had two grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. After some health issues, Hazel moved to a flat at The Windings in Helsby where she spent her final years. She died on the 2nd November 2019.

Hazel Mason (2018)

Hazel Mason (1923-2018) was born to Stan and Maud Pettitt in Birmingham where she grew up with her sisters Win and Carol. She won a scholarship to King Edward’s School for Girls, where she showed an aptitude for art. After a brief evacuation to Cheltenham, she returned to Birmingham to attend the College of Arts and Crafts in January 1940. It was there that she met Ted who she married in 1946. Hazel had a long career as a teacher and an artist. She had three daughters, Sue, Cherry and Penny. Four grandchildren, David, Wendy, Kim and Paul. Great grandchildren, Harvey, Jasper, Teddy, Ben, Joey, Albie, Allie and Dougie. Hazel and Ted travelled widely in their retirement. She moved to Devon after Ted died.

Heather ‘Shirley’ Rowland (Née Auburn) (2018)

Heather ‘Shirley’ Rowland (Née Auburn) (1957-2018) Heather Shirley Auburn was born and raised in Northampton. She had four siblings, Linda, Peter, Jennifer and Diane. She attended St. George’s School and Kingsthorpe Upper School. She had various local jobs until meeting Paul Rowland, whom she married in 1977. She soon became a full-time mum to three children, Melanie, Curtis and Jeanette. Once the children were old enough, Shirley went back to work. She retired, aged 41, to focus on her many hobbies and her dogs.

Horace (Harry) Hurst (2019)

Horace (Harry) James Hurst (1920 – 2019) was born in Llandaff, Cardiff, to Horace and Lillian. He had a younger sister, Mavis. He left school at fifteen and joined the Royal Air Force. He entered as a trainee technician and underwent his training at Llandow. While posted to a camp near Manchester, he met Rose. They married quickly in 1942 because Harry could have been posted anywhere in the world at any moment. Their daughter, Gwen, was born in 1943, while Harry was away with his squadron. He was attached to the Royal Navy and received the Distinguished Service Medal for bravery at sea. Harry had to leave the RAF in 1946 due to hearing loss. He worked in Manchester until the family moved to Cardiff in 1956. Harry had several jobs over the years, including eleven years at British Home Stores, after which he became a porter at Cardiff University. He and Rose had four grandchildren, Karen, Kevin, Gaynor and Richard, plus great-grandchildren. Harry retired in his early 60’s in the 1980’s. Rose died shortly after their 65th wedding anniversary in 2008. Harry recovered from the loss with the help of his close family. He died in Llandough Hospital.

Howard Grimmett (2019)

Howard Grimmett (1944 – 2019) was born on the 17th April 1944 in Ilford, Essex. He had a twin sister, Lesley and a brother, Noel. He left school in 1959 and spent a short time farming. He then joined Dunn & Co, the clothing retailers, followed by Harrison Gibsons, the furniture store. Howard then moved to Caleys in Windsor, and later onto Waring and Gillow in Oxford Street. He finally settled at House of Fraser in Bromley. Encouraged by his wife, Catherine, Howard then set up his own furnishing business. His wealthy clients provided Howard with many anecdotes with which to amuse people. He loved his pet pug dogs. Sadly the last 10 years of Howard’s life were marked by a number of medical conditions. He died on 9th November 2019

Howard Thomas Palmer (2022)

Howard Thomas Palmer (1946 – 2022) was born to Beryl and Tommy Palmer in Cambridge.  After leaving Coleridge Boys’ School, Howard took a City and Guilds qualification at the local catering college.  He became a trainee chef at Lyons Corner House in London after which he returned to Cambridge to work at The Dorothy as an Assistant Manager where he met his future wife Rose.  They had two children Rachel and Jay and three grandchildren.  Working at the Water End Barn, St Albans Howard was promoted to Manager.  Having moved to Wheathampstead Hertfordshire where they lived for forty-three years, Howard left the catering business to set up Prime Cleaning Services a cleaning company.  Howard gained a degree with the Open University after which he become a Humanist Celebrant with the British Humanist Association, (now called Humanists UK).

Hubert Beaumont (2018)

Hubert Preston Beaumont (1935-2018) was born in Oldham, son of Cyril and Hilda and brother to Margaret. He was husband to Yvonne and father of Harriet and Oliver. He was also stepfather to Anna and Tassy and step-grandfather to Iris, Fraser and Willa. Hubert went to St.Edwards School and then read engineering at Oxford University after his National Service. Hubert was a passionate Beagler, primarily with the Four Shires Bassets and the Dummer packs. He was also a keen amateur investor and skier.

Hugo Slack (2021)

Hugo Slack, a much loved son of Sophie and Greg, and a baby brother to Eira.

Iain George Renfrew (2020)

Iain George Renfrew (1939 – 2020) was born in Paisley on 17 May 1939 to Jeannie and Tom. He had two younger siblings, Kay and Jim. To avoid National Service, he joined the Merchant Navy in 1955. Iain met Annette whilst on shore leave in Swansea and they married in 1962. He left the Navy and the couple set up home in Waun Wen, Swansea, where they brought up their two daughters, Kay and Kim. Iain worked ashore as an engineer but during the 1970s and 1980s he took a job as chief engineer for an oil rig supply firm which involved a lot of overseas travel. He then worked in the Estates Department at Swansea’s Singleton Hospital until his retirement in 2004. Iain was fond of jazz. He was a keen reader and enjoyed visiting local art galleries. In retirement he liked to visit his daughters wherever they were in the UK and Europe. He died on 23 August 2020.

Ian Edwards (2010)

Ian Edwards (1981-2010) was born on May 24 in Solihull where he lived most of his life. He grew up extremely close to his mother and his father, and it is from the latter he inherited his lifelong love of football. After spells of volunteering for the National Trust and MENCAP, amongst other charities, he attended Birmingham College of Food & Tourism and worked in Adventure Tourism out in Switzerland before becoming a Care Worker in a home for people with disabilities back in Birmingham – a job he loved. As well as football, Ian was intensely passionate about metal music and real ale, and he indulged these passions as often as he could. Ian died of lymphoma in December 2010 – shortly before his 30th birthday.

Ian Wiley (2019)

Ian Charles Wiley (1949 – 2019) was born in Keynsham, Somerset on the 8th June 1949 to Viv and Joan. He grew up in Marksbury with his six siblings, John, Dave, Viv, Mick, Keith and Jenny. Ian got a place at grammar school and then went to Lanchester Polytechnic. He then moved to Southampton, where he started work as a social worker. In 1974 Ian moved to Liverpool and got a job with Barnardos. He attended Manchester University to train in social work. After returning to Liverpool, he married Ann, a co-worker, in 1980. They moved to Derbyshire, where their two daughters, Megan and Bethan, were born. Ian served for eight years as a Derbyshire County Councillor for the Labour Party. This involved a period as the Chair of the Public Protection Committee. He retired in 2012, after a cancer diagnosis. He recovered fully. When Ann retired in 2016, they moved to Llantwit Major, to be close to their family. In 2019 Ian was diagnosed with a severe heart problem. He died at home on 29th November 2019.

Ian Yates (2020)

Ian Yates was born in Barnsley General hospital on 28th November 1960, to Rhoda and Ken Yates, younger brother to Joan, Geoff and Denise. Ian was interested in music from an early age, singing and playing drums to his school friend Kev’s guitar at 11 and then, with Kev, joining the Barnsley Music Centre Concert Band in the mid 1970’s as kit drummer, touring with them to Scotland, Germany and Austria. His passion for drumming stayed with him, he was always happy to come to the aid of any band in need of a drummer. He started work on Haigh Carpet Stall on the market before training to be a policeman with West Yorkshire Police. His undercover work would take him away for months at a time but he always returned to The Cricketers Arms in Holmfirth where he was a much loved regular. Nicknamed ‘Rowdy’, he enthusiastically joined in music nights and karaoke and was involved with the charity band. He also enjoyed holidays with his mates, including several golfing holidays to Tenerife organised from The Cricketers. Ian had grown close to his niece Terrie when he was just a teenager and when she settled in Cornwall with her husband Neil and children Jack and Ethan he enjoyed spending time with the family there. Ian died on 30th August 2020.

Ida Mary Steele (2020)

Ida Mary Steele was born in Wraysbury, Buckinghamshire, on 26th October 1923, the youngest of three children. The river Thames provided opportunities for swimming and rowing. After leaving school, she trained as a shorthand typist. In 1949, Ida married Ken Steele, a skilled cabinet maker. They set up home in a flat in Staines High Street, but his work meant that they moved around a lot. They had one child, a daughter named Sue. When Sue was about ten they moved to Cornwall, where they acquired a remote run-down farmhouse which they renovated. Ida was not pleased when they had to move back to London and live in a flat. She took a part time job with a firm of solicitors. Ida started to suffer headaches and visual issues, which was eventually diagnosed as glaucoma. Many treatments were tried but without success. They moved again, to a bungalow in Shoreham-By-Sea, and Ida took up painting. After Ken’s death in 2000, she managed to remain in her own home with the help of a carer but, after a fall in 2017, Ida reluctantly moved to the Holm Lodge care home in Ringmer. She died on 26th August 2020.

Ida Rado (2015)

Ida Rado (1910 – 2015) was born on 1 July. She survived the Holocaust and was then forced to move to England from Hungary in 1957 after the Hungarian Revolution. In order to earn money, she sewed evening dresses. Ida enjoyed painting and cooking Hungarian food. She got married in a joint ceremony with her older sister Teri and remained with her husband until his death. Ida lived until the age of 104.

Irene Louisa Staines (2021)

Irene Louisa Staines (1939 – 2021) was born in Ladywood, Birmingham on 12th April 1939. She had an older brother, Arthur. They were evacuated during World War Two. After her first job as a Bluecoat at a holiday camp and a spell in an advertising agency, she established her first shop, Miss Margaret’s. This was followed with another clothes shop, Family Affair. Irene married Geoff from whom she divorced in 1985. Then she partnered with an old school friend, George, who died in 2011. They were together for 26 years. They had a shared love of bowling and were members of the Wythall Bowls Club. Her friends and family knew her as a generous woman who loved her cats, Alfie and Tabby. Irene was involved with Hollytrees Animal Rescue Trust. She died on 7th January 2021.

Iris Blake (2018)

Iris Blake (1920-2018) was born Iris Holgate in Wakefield. She had an elder brother, Harold. She attended Wakefield Girls’ High School and then went on to do teacher-training. Iris volunteered as a fire-watcher during WWII. After the war she married Ian, her childhood sweetheart. They spent their first five years in Düsseldorf, where their son, Paul, was born. After returning to England they moved around with Ian’s job and Iris worked as an infant school teacher. They eventually settled in Winchester. In 1951 Iris and Ian both joined the International Society. Iris enjoyed going to the theatre, playing the piano and travelling to the continent and to America to visit Paul and their grandchildren, Daniel and Zoë. Iris also had six great-grandchildren, Kayla, Austin, Noah, Christian, Madison and Lincoln. Iris passed away at Lydgate Lodge aged 97.

Iris Robinson (2021)

Iris was born in Cork in 1932. She came to England at an early age and grew up in Bournemouth with her younger siblings Esther and Ken. Their parents were Plymouth Brethren. On leaving school Iris went to Paris as an au pair to widen her horizons before returning to train as a nurse at the Middlesex Hospital. Marriage followed and then a few years as an army wife. Paula was born in Benghazi in Libya and Richard in Osnabruck, Germany. After time with the army in Scotland and Yeovil the family moved to Somerton in Somerset and then on to Exeter where Iris joined the new renal unit at Whipton Hospital. After a short spell health visiting, Iris moved into education at Exeter College, where she met Geoff Barr. Alongside her teaching of human biology and various related courses, Iris also taught yoga until suffering a serious accident. Iris played her part in college life; for a period she was membership secretary of the lecturers’ union (then called NATFHE).  At 64, Iris graduated from the Open University though she interrupted her studies to qualify as an acupuncturist. She built up her acupuncture practice and then undertook allergy testing before, realising that all health work has a psychological and social aspect, she also studied Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP). Iris read avidly, had a wide ranging taste in music, (she took up the violin in her 80s), loved poetry, had fun travelling with Geoff, had an eye for colour and design and relished time with her children and grandchildren, Tim, Will, Charlie, Sophia and Rosie. Iris developed renal disease and died on 2nd February 2021.

Ivy Blofield (2021)

Ivy Blofield (1919 – 2021) was born in Stoke Poges, Buckinghamshire on 1st December 1919 to Bert and Alice Gale, the fifth of seven children.  At the age of fourteen Ivy started work in the Post Office near Slough.  She relocated to London working through World War 2 and the Blitz at the telephone exchange near St Paul’s Cathedral.   Through being a member of the Clarion Cycling Club, Ivy met George Blofield and they were married on 30^th January 1942.  In 1948 Ivy and George moved to Chartham, Kent before moving to Old Wives Lees and then Waltham.  As well as bringing up their two daughters, Gill and Jane, Ivy worked part-time at the local farms and as a cleaner at St Augustine’s Hospital.  Ivy was a member of the Chartham, Old Wives Lees and Hastinglea Women’s Institutes (WI).    In addition to cycling, Ivy was a reader of poetry, a member of Barham Bowling Club and a keen gardener, winning prizes.  She always liked walking and was a protector of footpaths and rights of ways.

James Alington (2018)

James Patrick Alington (1947-2018) was born in the Medway Towns, brother to Bill and Eve. After working for his father, Jim joined the RAF, becoming a pilot. He settled in Cornwall having been stationed there with the RAF. After leaving the RAF he worked for a building society and became a training officer for the Prudential. He also operated a mobile fish and chip van on the side! In his retirement Jim dealt in shares and investments over the internet. He also loved spending time boating and fishing. Jim loved animals, especially his cats.

James Drewery (2019)

James Drewery (1927-2019). Jim was born in Aberdeen where he grew up with his sisters Dorothy and Lydia. On leaving Robert Gordon College, he did his National Service with the Gordon Highlanders based in Somaliland. He achieved a first class degree in psychology at Aberdeen University and then started his distinguished career in clinical psychology which took him to Belfast, Edinburgh, Dumfries and finally Exeter in 1974. He had four daughters, Lynn, Sue, Frances and Barbara, eight grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He was married to Janice for 40 years. He sailed, walked, skied and fished.

James Leverton (2019)

James Leverton (1988 – 2019) was born in Oxford, the youngest child of Sue and Colin. James went to the Edith Moorhouse primary school, Carterton Community College and Burford School. Dyslexia made education difficult for James and he dropped out of school at 14. He attended the Allandale youth centre in Carterton, where he was encouraged to volunteer. James won a scholarship to study for a Degree in Youth Work at Ruskin College in Oxford and became a youth worker for the armed forces charity SSAFA at RAF Brize Norton. James met his partner, Tina, in 2016. He was a keen sportsman, with a particular interest in martial arts. James was diagnosed with Chiari brain malformation. Despite major surgeries, he was in pain and eventually unable to work.

James Ronald Briggs (2020)

James was born 9th October 1930 in Croydon to James Lenard Briggs and Blanch Emily Briggs née Kuhn. In 1937 his sister Audrey was born and in 1941 after living in various places around London the family moved to Burton Farm, Aldington, Kent where James passed a scholarship examination to Ashford Grammar school. From 1946-47 he was an Artificer in the Royal Navy and in 1948 started as a junior draughtsman with G H Buckle & Partners, Consulting Engineers but in 1949 was called up for National Service. He returned to G H Buckle in 1951 and married his first wife Paisley but they later divorced. He had always continued to study and gained a 1st class BSc in 1958. In 1962 he joined McAslan and Partners in Belfast and married Vera Webb in 1963. In 1967 they moved to Harpenden, Herts with their sons Russell and Lionel. James set up the London office of Mc Aslan and Partners, leaving in 1968 to set up James R. Briggs Associates Consulting Engineers which grew to have offices in London, Oxford and Cambridge. James was a pioneer of multi-disciplinary engineering and the application of computing. He worked on a number of projects for Oxford and Cambridge colleges, the award-winning Burrell Collection museum in Glasgow and the Sackler Gallery at the Royal Academy of Arts. In 1984 he and Vera moved to Cinder Hall in Saffron Walden. In 2001 he set about making Foxreach in Stocking Green their retirement home but Vera died in 2004. James remained active and involved throughout his retirement. James died on 17th November 2020.

Janet Dundas Williams (2021)

Janet Dundas Williams (1938 – 2021) was born in Northampton on 1^st November 1938, the only child of James and Flora Dundas.  Janet spent her childhood attending boarding schools in the UK and living in Nigeria.  Gaining a Sociology Degree from Durham University, Janet worked with Family Service Units (FSU) in Manchester and London, becoming an Assistant Director.  After her marriage to Mike on 13th May 1978, Janet gained a Master’s Degree.  Janet decided to become self-employed and set up a business offering the evaluation of social work services, which in 1988 evolved into her and Mike’s joint business, ‘Partnership at Work’. They moved to Holmfirth, Yorkshire where she was involved with Martin Smith in establishing Holmfirth as a Transition Town (HoTT), where she was Chair for eight years.  Janet’s interests included music, cats and researching the Dundas family tree.

Janet Evelyn Rogers (2021)

Janet was born on 6^th December 1947 to John and Enid Rogers in Cardiff and had a younger sister, Pam. Always proud of her Welsh heritage, Janet was six, when the family moved to England. Through her father’s job at Copse Farm, Harrow Weald, Janet grew up in a world of farming and ponies where she developed her love of horses. She attended Harrow Weald Infants, Cedars Junior and Harrow Weald County Grammar schools before studying at Pitman’s Typing College.

Janet had a number of administrative jobs, including many years as Secretary of the Stanmore branch of the Pony Club, making many longstanding friends throughout. Janet’s interests included rugby; dressing up parties, planned and impromptu; and music, Elvis Presley was her particular favourite, and she liked to support local bands.

Janet’s first marriage was to Tony Masero, and they had a daughter Gina. Her second marriage was to Gavin Phillips, with whom she had a son, Tim. Janet was delighted in her grandson Oliver.

Janet Johnson (née Tobilcock) (2018)

Janet Mary Johnson (née Tobilcock) (1936-2018) was born in London, to Edna and Dick, but was brought up in Rhodesia. She had a younger sister, Eleanor. Janet was deaf from birth and went to a special school for deaf children in Johannesburg. From the age of seven her mother took on the task of teaching Janet to speak. Inspired by Helen Keller, she enjoyed her childhood and became a confident young woman. Janet married Henry Johnson 1961 in Salisbury Cathedral, Rhodesia. A couple of years later Colette was born, followed by twins, Simon and Tessa. The family moved to the UK in 1978. Janet trained and practiced as a chiropodist. She enjoyed swimming, sailing and croquet, which she played competitively. She also travelled to Australia frequently to visit Colette. Janet had four grandchildren, George, Robert, Megan and Paddy.

Janice MacTaggart (2021)

Janice MacTaggart was born on 1st January 1954. She attended Maidstone Girls Tech., followed by teacher training college where her subjects were piano and voice. Janice went on to teach mainly in secondary schools in London. In 1981 Janice moved from Hampstead to Leytonstone and at Hackney Free School she became responsible for ‘English as a second language’. She enjoyed helping disadvantaged students, starting their lives in the UK. Her passion for social justice intertwined with her social life and her cultural interests, which she enjoyed with many friends and her long-term partner Gerry. In the 1980s, Janice attended Socialist Workers Party (SWP) meetings, Anti-Nazi League demonstrations and Rock against Racism rallies in Victoria Park. She loved art, and had a very eclectic musical taste, favouring anti-establishment, avant-garde artists. After her retirement from teaching she continued to enjoy many pursuits including travel to Europe and looking after her garden.

Jasper James Knight (2021)

Jasper James Knight (1937 – 2020) was born in London on 5th May 1937 to Betty and Jasper. He had two younger siblings, Robert and Diana. Jasper boarded at Wellington House Prep School in Thanet, followed by Radley in Oxfordshire. Jasper was a keen rower and beagler at Radley. He did his national service in Colchester before starting a French and Physics degree at Exeter College, Oxford. He left before graduating and eventually entered the property development and interior design business with a shop in Islington. Jasper married Mo in 1963 and they had two daughters, Charlotte in 1963 and Sarah in 1971. The family lived in Elmstone, Kent during the 1970s, before moving to Ramsgate. Jasper was involved with the Blean Beagles and the West Street Hunt. At the age of 45, Jasper took up skiing and in 1990, bought a property in the French Alps where he immersed himself in local life. He had four grandchildren, Jasper, Will, Katie and Jess. In 2018 Jasper moved into Littlebourne House, a care home in the East Kent village of Littlebourne. Jasper died, aged 83, on 26th December 2020.

Jean Mellanby (2020)

Jean Mellanby (1931 – 2020) was born on 26th August 1931 to Mark Milburn Wilson and his wife Edith, in Stockton on Tees. Her father worked for the railway and she spent some of her childhood living in a railway station. When she was eight, Jean’s mother died and she and her younger sister, Freda went to live with their aunt Dolly and uncle Maurice. Jean went to the Richard Hind School for Girls. She left, aged 17, with her school certificate and prizes in History and RE, and went to work at ICI Billingham. Jean met her husband, Harry, at her school dance in 1946. They married in 1953, after Harry returned from national service in the navy. Harry’s work in local government took them to the Midlands and to Yorkshire, eventually settling in Somerset in 1966. In that period they had three children, John, Steve and Liz. Jean worked at Street Library for over 30 years. She also worked at the Wellspring bookshop in Wells. Jean was grandmother to Kristian, James, Matthew, Harry and Isobel and great grandmother to Isaac, Freya, Isla and Everley. Harry died in 2017, after which Jean moved to Wessex House in Somerton. She died on 7th January 2020.

Jean Quatrine (2017)

Jean Quatrine (1921 – 2017) was born Jean Forman in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire on the 17 March. She was one of six children including two sets of twins. During World War II, she joined the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force and became a Radio Communications Operator. In her later life, she worked as a nanny and a housekeeper amongst other things. She enjoyed baking and arts and crafts and was once commissioned by the Financial Times to make Christmas crackers out of their newspapers. She married her first husband Alexander in 1942 but he was killed in the Battle of El Alamein in the same year. They had one son Sandy. After the war, she married her second husband John and they had two children: Tony and Chris.

Jean Sykes (2018)

Jean Sykes (1930-2018) was born in Shipley, the middle child of Eva and Charles Sutcliffe. She grew up with her older sister Peggy and younger brother Peter. Jean left school at fourteen and went to work as a seamstress at the Meldina factory in Shipley. Jean did what she could to help her mum, and to look after her brother, after her father died on her 16th birthday. Jean was married to Donald in 1956. Their daughter, Jackie, was born in 1963. Jean gave up work once she got married and was very happy in her role as housewife and mum. She later got a part-time job at Rawthorpe Junior School as a Playground Supervisor, where she worked for twenty years. After 50 years of marriage, Donald died in 2006. Jean continued to live on her own until she suffered a stroke in 2018. After leaving hospital, she moved to Astley Grange Care Home, where Jean spent her final days comfortable and content.

Jeanette (Jan) Key (2021)

Jeanette Key (1933 – 1921) known as Jan, was born on 15^th June 1933 a younger sister to Phyllis and Olive.  Jan grew up and went to school in Ladywood, Birmingham.  Jan met her future husband Jeff whilst working as a trainee secretary at Guest, Keen and Nettlefolds (GKN).  They married when Jan worked as a secretary at Mitchells and Butlers (M&B). Following a move north where Jan became a nurse, she and Jeff moved to Sevenoaks. They bought the Village Gallery in Brasted where Jan sold upgraded stripped pine furniture.  Jan belonged to the Women’s Institute (WI) and her hobbies included drama, singing and oil painting.  Jan and Jeff had three children, Adrian, Barbara and Kate, three granddaughters and four great-grandsons.

Jeanette Bishop (2019)

Jeanette Helena Bishop (1947–2019) was born in Byfleet, Surrey, one of four children. Jeanette (known as Nett) attended St Mary’s Infant & Primary School in Byfleet and then West Byfleet County Secondary School. After leaving school in 1962, she worked for a newsagents shop and then car seat belt manufacturer Britax. In 1966 she started work in the assembly department of Charles Austen Pumps Ltd in Byfleet, a job she held for 44 years until her retirement in 2010. It was at Charles Austen Pumps where she met Mike Bishop. Nett married Mike in 1973 and they set up home in Woking. They were happily married for 46 years. They have no children.
Nett suffered from ill health all her life, developing osteoarthritis while in her thirties. She eventually had to have both knees replaced and also developed rheumatoid arthritis, losing her mobility completely in later years. Nett enjoyed gardening, knitting, needlework going for walks in the country and holidays, but the arthritis made these things impossible in later life. She suffered from respiratory problems including COPD. Nett died in 2019 at the age of 72 from respiratory failure, during her seventh admission to hospital in nine months. She passed peacefully with husband Mike by her side.

Jeff Fox (2021)

Jeff Fox (1963 – 2021) was born on 18^th June in Redhill, the youngest child of Kathleen and Bill Fox, joining his siblings Joyce, Jane, John and Jimmy.  After a brief time in Cornwall, the family moved to Bradford.  Jeff trained as a nurse before working for the Vehicle Licensing Authority, the Highways Agency and later, Leeds City Council.   Whilst studying for a degree in Peace Studies at Bradford University, Jeff met Claire.  They were married on 27^th July 2005 at Hazlewood Castle and had two children Melissa and Caitie.  Jeff was a campaigner for environmental and animal rights, supporting Greenpeace and standing as a Green councillor in the local elections.  He was an active supporter of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).  Jeff was a lifelong Chelsea Football Club supporter and from 1997 regularly attended Glastonbury Festival.  He owned many dogs and cats, one of which George appeared in the first episode of Red Dwarf.

Jennifer Hughes (2020)

Jennifer Ruth Hughes (1984 – 2020) was born to Tony and Lorraine on 22nd May 1984, in Bramley, Hampshire. She had a twin sister, Cathy. Jenny studied History of Art at St John University, York. She stayed in Yorkshire, got married and had two babies. Theo was born in 2007 and Connor in 2008. The marriage broke down and Jenny found support in a school friend, Stephen. They had worked together on a Young Enterprise Scheme project, for which they won an award. In the summer of 2009, Stephen helped Jenny and the boys to move to Ely. They bought a house together in 2010 and George was born in 2012. Stephen and Jenny married in 2014. She took an OU course, earning a Diploma in Product Design. Jenny took on a development role in the Scout movement and worked for various charitable organisations including Barnados and Real Aid. At the East Anglia Children’s Hospice, she helped secure around £2 million in donations. Jenny started a charity management course at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge, but in 2019 she had an emergency operation to remove a spinal tumour. Despite radio and chemotherapy, Jenny moved into the Arthur Rank Hospice where she died on the 6th of March.

Jennifer Knox (2018)

Jennifer Ann Bradford Knox (1933-2018) was born in Richmond, London, to Edwin and Eulalie Latham. She had three older siblings, Stephanie, David and Jacqueline. She also had a younger step-sister, Betty. Jennifer attended The Sacred Heart Convent in Hastings but was later sent to a French speaking boarding school in Antwerp, after the early death of her mother. The language later enabled her to work on the French telephone exchange. Jennifer lived and worked in various places including London, Stevenage, Beith in Scotland, Basingstoke and at the Red Lion in Wendover which is where she met her partner, Richard. They had three daughters, Judith, Vanessa and Shiona and four grandchildren Sam, Alex, Daisy and Jonah. Jennifer loved reading, music and sport.

Jennifer Watts (2021)

Jennifer Watts (1943 – 2020) was born in Tonbridge, Kent to Betty and Alan on 4th January 1943. Jennifer and her brother Robert moved with their mother to Banbury during the war. In 1957 the family moved to Earley, near Reading, where Jennifer won a scholarship to the Abbey School. She then attended Marlborough Grammar School in Wiltshire, followed by Cheltenham Teachers College. Instead of becoming a teacher, she became an accountant at the Caleys John Lewis store in Windsor. Jennifer married her first husband, David Williams, in 1966. They moved with David’s teaching posts between Birmingham and Oxfordshire. They had three children, Clare, Lorna and Martin. Jennifer worked in a number of jobs in education administration and in the local council offices. She lived with Michael Watts from 1983. They were married in 1994. She became an advocate and fundraiser for people affected by loss of sight and hearing, and was fluent in British Sign Language. She volunteered at the village store and worked as treasurer for the Village Hall committee. Jennifer loved to travel and took part in car rallies across Europe. She was a skilled artist and loved cats. In 2019, her worsening Alzheimer’s required specialist care so Jennifer moved to the Orders of St John Care Trust at Townsend House in Headington, where she died on 20th December 2020, from COVID-19.

Jenny Baker (2019)

Jenny Baker (1945 – 2019) was born in Liverpool to Jean and Harold and had a sister, Val. She passed her eleven plus exam and went to grammar school. Her first job was in insurance, followed by a year in France as an au pair. After returning to the UK, Jenny met and married Greg, with whom she had three children, Samantha, Lucie and Adam. After a move from Hampshire to Cheshire, she and Greg split up. Jenny and the children moved to Waverton, where she met Frank and his young daughter Jo, she and Frank married, providing happiness and stability for all their children. Jenny had a full career, including various volunteer and caring roles. She and Frank set up a laundry service. Jenny was a magistrate for 25 years, a labour councillor and a humanist funeral celebrant. Jenny died on 26th May 2019.  

Joan Daniel (2021)

Joan Daniel (1935 – 2021) was the youngest daughter of Anne and Jim Lowe.  Her elder siblings were James, Arthur and Betty.  Born in Warrington, Joan attended the local Grammar School leaving to join the General Post Office (GPO) as a telephonist. She met Eric in 1955 and they married in 1959, a marriage which lasted sixty-two years.  Joan worked as a secretary in Warrington before her family moved to Essex, then East Grinstead.  After Eric’s retirement he and Joan played golf together and were both involved in Probus.  Joan’s interests included cooking, gardening, reading, playing cards and board games.  She followed many sports, having extensive knowledge of cricket, supporting Lancashire.  Joan and Eric had two children, Claire and Jaqueline, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Joan Joy (2020)

Joan Esther Joy (1935 – 2020) was born Esther Wymer on 20th June 1935, in Norwich, one of six children. She was mainly brought up by her step-father, Bill. Joan married Peter Ward when she was 18. They had two daughters, Marilyn and Anne. They separated after 11 years and Joan married Mick Joy in 1969, who already had a son, Ady. They sadly had a still-born daughter, Michelle. Joan’s working life was mainly spent as a school dinner lady, but she also spent time as a school cleaner. She retired at the age of 76. Joan was a talented knitter, a passionate gardener and a great baker. She was a grandmother to Oliver and Sean, and also a great-grandmother to Hugo. Joan’s Alzheimer’s disease progressed to the point where she eventually had to leave her own home to be cared for in a nursing home. She died on 28th February 2020.

Joan Kucmyda (2019)

Joan Kucmyda (1941 – 2019) was born on 8th September 1941 to John and Vera McManus. She grew up in Halifax and Elland. She went to Clare Hall School. Joan married Tom and moved to Shepley. They had three sons, Brian, Steven and Christopher. After they separated, she moved to Crossland Moor. She worked at GSM Electrical in Huddersfield and did evening work to support herself. Joan achieved her Queen’s Guide Award and became an Akela for the Cub Scouts. She was a fabulous ballroom dancer, and met her second husband, Michael, at the Dyers and Finishers dance. They married in 1986 and Joan became step-mum to Lisa. Joan worked for the local council after GSM closed in 1995, until her retirement. The couple travelled extensively, sometimes in their motorhome. Latterly, they spent the winters in Spain, where they bought a house. Joan was diagnosed with cancer in 2016 and died on 21st November 2019, in Huddersfield. She was a grandma to John, Sam, Carl, Luke, Lauren and Joe, as well as a great-grandma, to Harvey, Theo and Isla.

Joan Luffman (2017)

Joan Luffman (1927 – 2017) was born Joan Meacham in Pontypool, Wales on 20 February. She was one of seven children. During World War II she joined the Land Army. Joan was fond of cooking and travelled extensively across the UK and Europe. She married Alf and had three children: Carol, Ray, and Philip, and they stayed together until his death in 2004.

Joan Marie Dodgson (2020)

Joan was born on 22nd August 1930 in Chirk, near Wrexham in North Wales. She had two elder brothers, Syd and Jim, and a younger brother, Stan. Joan worked as a physiotherapist at the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital in Welwyn for most of her career, and contributed to a book, ‘Physiotherapy in some Psychiatric Conditions in Neurology for Physiotherapists’ by Joan Cash. She was a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists.

She married Leslie William Parnell Dodgson, and in 1960 they moved to Welwyn Garden City with their one-year-old daughter Ann. Their second daughter, Carol, was born there in 1962. Les died in 1971, aged 41, after which Joan cared for her mother until her death. In 1995 Joan moved in with Ann and her family, in Hadstock, where she enjoyed spending time with family, including grandchildren Joe and Ellie. In 2020, after a hospital stay, she moved into residential care in Symonds House, Linton, just before the Covid-19 lockdown. She was full of praise for the commitment and courage of the staff there. She died on 6th October 2020. Her daughters both predeceased her.

Jodi Cade (2018)

Jodi Cade (1984 – 2017) was born on 6 May to Geoff and Pattie. She was Staffordshire’s representative to the Youth Parliament before studying Politics at Newcastle University. She later dropped out and worked in Claire’s Accessories and then River Island. After meeting at University, she married husband Jamie and they had two children: Macy and Oscar.

John Conway (2018)

John Michael Conway (1982-2018) was born and raised in Oxford. He studied Arts and Drama at Abingdon and carpentry at City of Oxford College. John worked at The New Bodleian and then in estate management at the John Radcliffe Hospital. In 2009 he was diagnosed with a brain tumour. He met Zöe, his wife, in 2012 and they had six years together before John succumbed to his cancer on 25th June 2018. John was an independent minded, sociable, easy going man who loved a good party.

John Denton (OBE) (2019)

John Denton OBE (1937 – 2019) was born in Holmfirth to Wilfred and Emily Denton. He had a twin sister, Dorothy, and an older sister, Muriel. In his late teens John joined the Navy and became a Sick Bay Attendant. During his time in the Navy he enjoyed living and working in Hong Kong. John had a daughter Samantha with his first wife Beryl and became a stepfather to Christopher, Philip and Paul. After nine years John left the Navy and became a Civil Servant in the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency. He moved to the Office of Population, Censuses and Surveys where he gained promotions until he reached the top position of Deputy Head of Information Technology, for which he was awarded an OBE. In 2000 John married Merrill and became stepfather to Marc. John was a grandfather to Ellie, Ben, Peter, Phillip, Lewis and Daniel and great-grandfather to Solomon and Pixie.

John Jarvis (2019)

John Mervyn Jarvis (1933-2019) was born in Portsmouth. He was the only son of Kathleen and Jums. His father died in the war when John was seven. His step-father worked in the theatre and introduced John to the world of show-business at an early age. He would go on to perform magic tricks on stage and at children’s parties. He wrote books on the subject and became a member of the Magic Circle. In 1952, John started a 27 year career in the Royal Air Force. John married Debbie when he was 22 years old. They had two children, Jackie and Tim. They lived on various air-bases around the country. John also had postings abroad, including Gibraltar and Borneo. After the RAF, the family made their home in Thetford and John joined the Home Office. He was a talented painter and a good photographer and sold his pictures, professionally.

John Jenkins (2017)

John Jenkins (1929 – 2017) was born in Maesteg,Wales, the third of four children. After school, he took on a variety of jobs before settling down as a labourer at British Tissues in Maesteg, working his way up to shift manager before his retirement. He enjoyed cycling and was a skilled carpenter and plasterer. He married Anne and they were together for twenty years.

John Keith Prowse (2018)

John Prowse (1934-2018) was born on 8 February in Weymouth, the middle child of five. After attending Weymouth Grammar School, he joined the local council Parks Department where he was to work for forty years, with only a two year gap during which he completed his national service in the Dorset Regiment. He was to march with the Dorsets at the 1953 Coronation parade. In 1949, he fell in love with an Italian waitress named Maria. He and Maria were married in 1953 and they had two children, Antony and Caroline, as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren. John was known as a helpful, peaceful, kind and caring father, great grandfather and friend. He had a love of plants and he and Maria enjoyed exploring her home island of Sicily. John died in 2018 aged 84.

John Lloyd (2017)

John Lloyd (1941-2017) was born in southern Africa during WWII. He was involved in politics at university and became an activist in the anti-apartheid struggle. He was imprisoned for his membership of the African Resistance Movement in 1964. After his release he moved to the UK where he worked as a journalist, including for the BBC, before taking up teaching. He met his wife Jenny in 1968. She was also a teacher. They have two daughters, Kate and Becca. John was a member of the Labour Party and served on Devon County Council and Exeter City Council. He later he became a barrister. He leaves behind his wife, Jenny and daughters, Kate and Becca.

John Martin Leo (2020)

John Martin Leo was born in County Limerick to James and Mai on 9th March 1951, the ninth of ten children. He was only ever known as Martin. He studied at University College Cork where he met one of his oldest friends, P.J. Another very good friend was his neighbour Chris. Martin had a successful career as an accountant and later completed an MBA. In his spare time he enjoyed a variety of building projects around the house and garden. He also loved sailing, first at the Welsh Harp Reservoir and later, on the Isle of Wight, where he and his partner Mili had a house. He shared 30 years of his life with Mili and they were very happy. They travelled widely together, across Europe, the USA, northern Africa and Thailand. Mili looked after him devotedly through the last three years of his life as he suffered increasing ill health, leading to his death on 3rd December 2020.

John Naylor (2018)

John Naylor (1932-2018) was born on the 12th of June in south-east London, the area he would remain for his whole life. He was one of two children. John attended Eltham College before becoming a state scholar at King’s College in 1950. It was at this time John met Elizabeth, his wife of 61 years whom he married in 1956. After a spell in the RAF for his national service, John became a teacher which led to him completing an MA. This in turn led to him embarking on a long, fruitful and hugely successful career as a publisher. John was known as a deeply cultured man and he was passionate about the arts, particularly books and classical music. He died in 2018 aged 86.

John Newman (2019)

John Frederick Newman (1941-2019) was born in Salford, Oxfordshire. John was a very talented footballer. He played for the school, local and County teams, winning many cups and trophies along the way. He had trials for West Bromwich Albion and played for their school boys’ team. After his retirement as a player, John ran several youth and seniors teams. He started work as a driver’s mate for Hitchmans Brewery and then for Leach & Haynes as an electrician. He then joined the family electrical business of Oliver & Newman at their shop in Moreton in Marsh, ultimately taking over from his father as director. John married Pam in 1963 and they had two sons, Martin and Shawn. John and Pam spent a lot of time at their villa in Spain. John had two granddaughters, Gemma and Rachelle.

John Russell Savory (2020)

John Russell Savory was born in Sydenham on 3rd June 1936 to Lillian and Ernest. He had a sister, Margaret. In 1940 they were briefly evacuated to Sherborne in Dorset. He learned to play badminton and cricket with the local church teams and continued to play throughout his life. In 1947 John passed his common entrance exam and gained a place at Dulwich College. He left school in 1952, and trained as a chartered accountant at Bagshaw & Co., in London. He qualified at the age of 22, and eventually became a partner. Even after moving to a bungalow in Biggin Hill in 1952, John continued to ride his motorbike to work every day until his retirement in 1988. In the 1970s John became a single dad to his two children, Fiona and Paul. He met Sue at the local tennis club and they married in 1984, Her children, Tim and Helen also joined the family. In retirement, John took up golf and twice became Men’s Vets Captain for Park Wood Golf Club. He and Sue enjoyed golfing and skiing holidays together. He had seven grandchildren, Nicola, Chris, Beth, Louise, Kirsten, Jack and Billy, and four great-grandchildren, Archie, Amber, Ivy and Reuben. In 2012, John had a stroke which affected his movement and speech. Sue cared for him until her death, after which he was looked after by carers. John died on 20 August 2020.

John Taylorson (OBE) (2018)

John Taylorson OBE (1931-2018) was born in the East End of London with his twin David, to parents John and Edith. He had two older siblings, Olive and Tom. John left Forest School in Snaresbrook in 1947 to do a course at Westminster Hotel and Catering College in London. John did National Service in the Air Force. He then embarked on a career in the catering industry, notably as head of British Airways catering division. He lived in London, Sheffield and South Africa. John had two children, Jonathan and Sally, by his first wife, Barbara. He had one son, James by his second wife, Helen. John was an accomplished county squash player and a prolific fundraiser for a children’s charity, for which he received an OBE in 2007. He had two grandchildren, Max and Lily.

John Varley (2018)

John Varley (1938-2018) was born on 17 January in Liverpool, one of three children. After growing up in Toxteth, he joined the Merchant Navy – serving as a steward on large passenger ships. After leaving the Merchant Navy he joined the nearby Ford car production factory where he would remain employed for the next three decades. In the 1960s he met Gloria who he would eventually marry- but not after she had emigrated to Australia temporarily. John and Gloria had two children, Paul and Liam. John loved motorbikes, Friday nights in the pub, and in his later years, travelling with Gloria. John died in 2018, aged 80.

John Williams (2020)

John Grenville Williams (1936 – 2020) was born to Sam and Dorothy in Bedwas, Caerphilly, on the 30th of October 1936. He had a sister, Audrey and a brother, David. Aged 11, he went to a Technical Grammar school and then to New Tredegar Technical College. He represented both at rugby. John left school at 15 and began an apprenticeship as a mechanical engineer for B.O.A.C. He did National Service in the RAF, afterwards returning to B.O.A.C., where he worked for the next forty years. In 1967 John married Marilyn. They settled in Bedwas, where John played rugby for the local side. They bought a house which John improved and extended over the next 50 years. They had two children, Huw and Suzie. John retired in 1993. He took up painting and drawing and continued to travel widely. In 1996 Suzie suffered a serious medical setback that impacted the family. John had been suffering the slow onset of Alzheimer’s for some time and more recently had suffered from heart problems, but his sudden death on 7th January 2020 was unexpected.

Jon Roads (2017)

Jonathan Roads (1943 – 2017)was born in Hitchin, Hertfordshire on the 26 October. He studied at Seale Hayne Agricultural College in Devon and then had a number of business ventures, including Aquaid, a WaterAid franchise, and Road Hogs, a pig staffing recruitment agency. He enjoyed gardening, growing his own fruit and vegetables in his allotment, and walking. With his first wife Val, he had three children: Stephen, Oliver, and Eleanor. Jon then married second wife Kate although they later divorced. He remained with partner Grace until his death.

Joseph ‘Joe’ Staples (2019)

‘Joe’ Joseph Staples (1941 – 2019) was born in Leamington Spa to Joseph and Edith. He had a twin sister, Josie, and a younger sister, Jill. By his early twenties, Joe was serving in the Army with the Queen’s Life Guard and was chosen to be one of the horsemen guarding Winston Churchill’s coffin in 1965. At around this time, Joe met Barbara and they returned to Nottingham where they married and had two sons, Andrew and Mark. Following the breakdown of their marriage Joe had no contact with his family until 2013 when Mark re-established the relationship, bringing much happiness to the wider family following years of separation. Joe had married again and moved to Somerset where he was popular in his village and enjoyed quizzes and cricket.

Joseph (Joe) Lucas Jones (2021)

Joe was born on the 1^st. July 1940, in Islington, the youngest of Gladys and Charles ten children.  Charles, Pa, worked as a fish porter in the mornings and in the theatre at night with Ma. Joe, like most of his family, worked in the theatre. He started work at the Sadler’s Wells Theatre and then went on to be prop master at the English National Opera Company (ENO) at the Coliseum in London. He worked at the “Collie” for most of his career, with his brother Jimmy. He loved a few laughs and a prank with his colleagues Little Ray “Irish”, and the Liddell’s Harry, Terry (whom he took under his wing and treated like a son), and Danny and spent many a happy hour at the “Lemon Tree pub”, next to the stage door. He married Joan Sevei in 1967, after 12 years they separated and subsequently divorced. He met Anne in 1980, at the “Collie” and they bought their first home together in 1982. Joe became a great stepdad (Pops) to Michaela, Natalie, and Coral. Anne and Joe separated in 2006 divorcing in 2010. They became friends again in later years. Post retirement, Joe did some cabbing around Southend and then worked for Enterprise delivering cars for hire. He threw himself into the University of the Third Age (U3A) and continued to travel. Joe was especially close to his brothers Jimmy, Jeff and George and his sister Joyce, enjoyed the company of others and was a great storyteller. He died on 30th December 2020 in Southend.

Joseph (Joey) Thomas McKeown (2021)

Joseph Thomas McKeown, or Joey as he was known to all, was born in the little village of Aghalee, Northern Ireland, on 6^th February 1934. He had just turned 87 when he died unexpectedly on 19^th February 2021. He was still living in the same weaver’s cottage where he was born. Joey was the second of four sons to Joseph McKeown and Helena née Hendron. His brothers were Billy, Stanley and Ronnie. They were quiet, but industrious lads, who grew up during the war and knew all about hard work. After leaving school Joey worked first at Barbour Linen Mill in Lisburn, then later at Lurgan Hospital, where he spent the rest of his working days. Like the other men in his family he had a passion for motor bikes. That passion was not even dented by a serious accident back in the 1950s, though in later life he did take to riding a scooter, complete with old-fashioned helmet and goggles. In fact, Joey was an old-fashioned bachelor himself and did not pay much attention to fads or fashion. For his whole life he refused to have a telephone. He preferred to leave the talking to the poets and to Dickens, which he loved to read. He also loved his sports, particularly rugby and football and he enjoyed listening to classical music and to Irish country and western. He loved animals, walking and the simple things in life. Joey is buried in Old Aghalee Cemetery, an ancient and peaceful place, barely a mile from the weaver’s cottage. He joins his parents and generations of other McKeowns who are buried there.

Joshua Bains (2018)

Joshua Bains (1989-2018) was born in Northampton to Lyn and Dave. He attended the Campion School. Josh was an adventurous and mischievous boy who became a generous, smart and personable family man. A good salesman and enthusiastic sportsman. He died tragically young, leaving partner, Rebecca, and two children, Cyrus and Liyah.

Josie Anne Stuart-Smith (2021)

Josie Anne Stuart-Smith (1932 – 2021) was born to Horace and Phyllis Stuart in Leicester on 10^th June 1932.  She had three brothers Ralph, Trevor and Tony.  Josie went to Nottingham University to study agriculture and horticulture where she met Mervyn Smith.  They married on 16^th July 1954 at the Parish Church of St. Michael and All Angels, Thurmaston, Leicester.  After securing a job as a student gardener at Cambridge University’s Botanic Gardens, Mervyn’s job with the Colonial Agricultural Service took them to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Sabah in Borneo.  During these travels, Josie and Mervyn first son Ben was born.  Jonathan was born when Josie and Mervyn had returned to live in Cambridge.  As well as providing landscape gardening services, Josie became an accomplished potter, selling her work and teaching pottery and gardening at schools in Cambridge, Leys, Perse and Roger Ascham schools.  Josie’s other interests included nurturing bonsai trees, cooking, especially Malay cuisine, reading, cycling and playing badminton.  She was a supporter of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) and the women’s protests at Greenham Common.

Joyce ‘Joy’ Parsonson (2019)

Joyce ‘Joy’ Ellen Parsonson (1933-2019) was born Joyce Ellen Southgate in Leyton to Jim and Alice. She was very talented at sport, and was offered a sports scholarship. Joy married Don in 1951. They were married for 60 years and had two daughters, Chris and Lin. They lived in Leyton until the early 1990s, when they moved to Maylandsea in Essex. Joy worked for Cable and Wireless in London but became a full time mum and later, a registered child-minder. Joy was very creative, a fantastic seamstress and an expert knitter. Joy was also very handy at DIY. Joy had two grandchildren, Joelle and Tyler.

Joyce Holroyd (2020)

Joyce Holroyd (1937 – 2020) was born on 14th September 1937. She grew up in Luddenden Foot, West Yorkshire with her mother, Mary, and her younger brother Kevin. At school, Joyce excelled at sport. After leaving she took a secretarial course. She played tenor horn in local bands, where she met her future husband, Robert. They married when Joyce was 21 and bought their first home in Elland. They had three sons, David, John and Stuart. Once the boys were all at school, Joyce went back to work at Balfour Beatty and then at David Brown, where Robert was MD. Joyce was a member of the Townswomen’s Guild for over 45 years and was chair of the Elland and Halifax branch. She enjoyed the social life around Robert’s cricket and golf clubs both at home and abroad. She was grandmother to Samuel, Helen, Sarah, Thomas and Emily. Joyce died on 5th November 2020.

The tribute to Bob Holroyd can be found here

Joyce Pemberton (2019)

Joyce Pemberton (1929 – 2019) was born in Derby, on the 14th November, 1929 to Joseph and Hannah Brayshaw. They moved to Blackpool when Joyce was around three. She had an older sister, Joan. Joyce went to Revo junior school in Blackpool and then to Tyldesley Secondary School until she was 14. Her first job was at a local library, where she later met Frank, whom she married when she was 22. They had a daughter, Sue. Frank was in the army, which meant much of their life was spent living overseas. Joyce loved ballroom dancing and was an accomplished piano player and musician. In the mid 80s, Frank and Joyce retired to Heysham. After Frank died, Joyce remained in their home for 17 years. She took on the upkeep of their house and garden. As Joyce’s memory started to fail she moved in with Sue for four years until she needed more care. Her last years were spent at Highclere Nursing Home, where she died on 28th November 2019, after a chest infection. Joyce was grandmother to James, Andrea, Matt and Paul, and great-grandmother to Erin, Libby-Rose, Isaac and Evie-Lou.

Joyce Woodhead (2019)

Joyce Woodhead (1930 – 2019) was born in Lower Cumberworth, West Yorkshire, on December 6th 1930, the youngest of the five surviving children of Edgar and Alice Peace. After leaving school she began working at Firth’s Mill at Shelley Bank Bottom, where she met and fell in love with Dennis, whom she married in 1953. They had three children, Brian, Anne and Andrew. Joyce had a ‘life plan’ – a good marriage, happy children and grandchildren, and the odd holiday thrown in – and she fulfilled those dreams and more. She loved trips out with Dennis, reading while he fished, baking for friends and family, and exploring the UK, including one very memorable trip to Scotland. The arrival of her grandchildren, Emily and Mathew, gave her renewed energy in her later years, and they had many tales to tell of escapades with their gran. Joyce died on 29th August 2019 at Chapel View Care Home in Mapplewell.

Judith (Judy) Mary Jones (2020)

Judy was born in York, to Dorothy and Reg Clitheroe, younger sister to John and older sister to Gill. She attended Shipton Street Primary School followed by Queen Anne Grammar School, and was a keen girl guide. Following in her father’s footsteps, she joined Rowntree’s in 1968, working in the main office. She then moved to Central Accounts where, in 1973, she met Mick Jones. They married and moved into their first house in Haxby in 1976. Judy became Assistant Budget Officer, leaving in 1979 to take up part-time work when she had her first child, Katy. In 1981 their second daughter, Caroline, was born. By now they were living in Wigginton, and Judy had a long association with their school, Wigginton Primary, acting as secretary of the PTA for some years. From the early 1990s she worked for 15 years for the Great North Eastern Railway (GNER), eventually becoming the Assistant Treasury Manager. She was very family orientated and a fond grandmother to Meg, Chloe and Lorna.

Judith Elizabeth Hanna (2021)

Judith Elizabeth Hanna (1954 – 2021) was born in Nowra, New South Wales, Australia to Jack Hanna and Valmai St Clair, the eldest sister to John, Peter, Julian, Zena and Roslyn.  Judith was schooled in various places including New Guinea, due to her father’s postings as a naval aviator.  She was twelve when her family settled on a sheep farm in Kojonup.  Judith studied Anthropology and Linguistics at the University of Western Australia in Perth.  When Judith was living with her grandfather in Sydney she met Joseph Nicholas. Following a move to the UK, Judith and Joseph were married in 1983.  Judith was an activist, working for a range of organisations including Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) and the Campaign for Better Transport.  She also worked on social policy at English Nature/Natural England. Her beliefs in an equitable, decent, inclusive and sustainable society were equally embedded in her personal life. An avid gardener and owner of an allotment at Elmar Road, Judith initiated seed swaps and organised people locally to plant and care for neglected areas of land.  She was at the centre of the local community in Tottenham, London.

Judith Saner (2015)

Judith Saner (1949 – 2015) was born Judith Haynes in Didcot on 17 June, the youngest of three children. She studied English Literature at UCL and then worked at the Greater London Council. Judith enjoyed gardening, supporting Arsenal, and knitting. She married husband Cengiz and they had two daughters, Emine and Kate, before their later separation.

June Winters (2020)

June Elizabeth Winters (1932 – 2019) was born in Islington on 3rd November 1932 to Elizabeth Wood and Edward Archer. She had two brothers, John and Ted. In later life she wrote a memoir of her early years with illustrations and poetry. Evacuated three times during the war – June recounted the use of the Anderson shelter and the sounds of doodlebugs. Her first job was with the security printers, De La Rue where she did some of the intricate artwork for banknotes. June married Donald Charles Winters in 1954 and started a family. Deborah was born in 1957 and Kay in 1959. Several generations of June’s family lived in close proximity – for periods all in one house. In her spare time June made lovely clothes for her daughters. Political and caring about wider society – June’s political observations were often printed in the national press and she used to take her daughters on CND marches. June had to tackle ill health throughout her life and when her father died in 1963, she had a breakdown and for many years thereafter had to deal with bouts of anxiety and depression. Attending adult education classes for art and creative writing, June became accomplished in poetry and art. Grandmother to Chloe and Lewis, June passed on some of her skills. In 2010 her husband Don died and June went to live with her daughter, Kay, in Cheshire near to Debbie – she loved being in the countryside. June’s health though continued to deteriorate and after a fall she was admitted to Leighton Hospital where she died on 10th December 2019.

Junior Aitken (2020)

Junior Aitken was born on 18th October 1942, to Isa and Tucker, in Newmains, Lanarkshire, where he lived for 29 years. He had five older brothers and a younger sister. He went to Newmains School until the age of 15, when he left to work in a garage. Junior spent most of his working life in the construction industry. His final job was as a delivery driver. In January 1966, he met Rosemary whom he married in August that year, at Wishaw registry office. After a year living with Junior’s parents, the couple moved into a council house. Over the next four years, Colin, Sharon and Dawn were born. The family moved to England in 1971, where Junior’s brother had moved earlier. Junior had a particular passion for Benidorm in Spain, where he and Rosemary visited many times. He was a fan of football and horse racing and loved cats, helping out at the Cat’s Protection League where Rosemary worked. They had three grandchildren, Billy, Sam and Londi. The couple lived at Overstone Lakes for 14 years, until Junior’s dementia and lung cancer forced a move to Northampton town. He died on 24th May 2020, at Cliftonville Care Home, aged 77.

Katherine Daly (2018)

Katherine Daly (1928-2018) was born and brought up in Irlam, her parents’ only daughter. She left school at 14 and worked as a secretary and as a PA for a hairdressing salon business. She later worked for the Girl Guides Equipment Depot in Broadheath. She met and courted Stan on the dance floors of the Manchester ballrooms. They were married in 1950 and later adopted two children, Chris and Lisa. Kathy loved plants and she and Stan enjoyed frequent trips to Tenerife and to the La Boheme restaurant in Lymm. Kathy died on 21 March aged 90.

Kathleen (Kathy) McGowan (2022)

Kathleen (Kathy) McGowan (1942 – 2022) was born on 6^th April 1942 to Daniel and Elizabeth O’Neill in Kilkenny, Southern Ireland.  Leaving school at fourteen, Kathy joined her sister Maura in Huddersfield to look for work.  Her first job was at the Co-op laundry and then she secured a job at ICI as a Laboratory Technician.  Kathy and Joe were married at St Patrick’s Church, Huddersfield on 28^th September 1963 and had three sons, Paul, Joe and Terry.  After the boys had started secondary school, Kathy worked as a home help for eighteen years.  Kathy was a grandma to Caitlin, Sam and Matt and a ‘temporary’ grandma to the many children Paul and his wife Julie fostered.  In 2008 Kathy visited Joe’s family in Perth, Australia.  As a young girl, Kathy won medals for Irish dancing.  Throughout her life, Kathy played the accordion with her family joining in the singing of Irish songs, especially her favourite, Danny Boy.

Keith Antony Harris (2020)

Keith Antony Harris (1953 – 2020) was born on 19th October 1953. He grew up just outside Lancaster with his parents Larry and Barbara, workers at the local mill. After primary school in Halton he attended Lancaster Grammar School taking ‘A’ levels a year early. He did a year at Warwick University but took his degree at Lanchester Polytechnic in Coventry. After graduating, he took the hippy trail to India and then taught English to Iranian air force cadets until the revolution. After spending some time in the United States, he returned to Coventry where he met Gill. They had three children, Ellen in 1980, Joel in 1983 and Elijah in 1991. Keith started a career with Royal Mail, in the early 1980s, in Exmouth. He moved up through the ranks from the counter to top management with his promotions meaning frequent moves and lots of commuting. He took early voluntary redundancy during a major restructuring exercise and then joined the Learning & Skills Council. He retired at 60 and he and Gill moved back to Budleigh Salterton with time for making music and other interests including the Budleigh Film Society. They also enjoyed walking along the coast and in the countryside and birdwatching down by the River Otter.

Kenneth Drew (2018)

Kenneth ‘Philip’ Drew (1925 – 2018) was born in London in January, the eldest of two children. He was called up to the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve in 1943 and served for three years. After he was demobilised, he studied English at Oxford University and graduated with a first class degree. Philip then joined the Civil Service, working at the Board of Trade, before becoming an academic at Glasgow University. In 1977, he became Professor of English before retiring in 1984. He married wife Lindsay in 1953 and they had three children, Kate, John, and Sarah, and seven grandchildren.

Kenneth Herdman (2018)

Kenneth Herdman (1934-2018) was born in Hartlepool to Ted and Elizabeth. He was one of four children, the others being Ronnie, Vi and Kathy. Ken did National Service in the army, stationed in Newport, Wales, where he met his first wife. They settled in Machen, in the house he was to live in for the rest of his life. In 1956 Ken got a job as a machine operator at Alcan in Rogerstone, where he worked until his retirement. Ken had two sons from his first marriage, Ken and Chris. He also had three step-daughters, Helen, Lisa and Sarah, from his second wife Gaynor, whom he married in 1987. Ken retired in the early 90s, and he and Gaynor enjoyed their retirement, spending time with their grandchildren and their dogs and summers in their caravan in Saint David’s.

Kirsty Fraser Meddings (2020)

Kirsty was born on 17th March 1973 in Kirkcaldy, Fife, to Valerie and Peter Meddings. She had a younger brother Colin. The family moved to Watlington, Oxfordshire in 1997 where Kirsty spent a carefree childhood. Pete’s work allowed the family to move to California from 1985/88 where Kirsty forged some lifelong friendships. She was an active musician playing in the jazz and marching bands. On returning to Watlington she studied at Henley 6th Form College and after a gap year travelling, went on to study English and American Literature at Warwick University. Her career in publishing began at Blackwells but she really came in to her own at Catchword where she met James Culling. They married in 2004 and Daniel was born in 2005 and Luke in 2012. Kirsty was widowed when James tragically died in 2012 of leukaemia. In 2015 Kirsty married Martin Eggleston, a widower and they became a blended family. Kirsty was a devoted mother to Dan and Luke and a wonderful stepmother to Amy. Kirsty worked at Crossref as a Product Manager for her last 12 years. She adored the company, her work and all her colleagues. Kirsty’s enthusiasm, sense of humour and ‘force of nature’ left such a massive imprint on all who knew her. Kirsty died from an aggressive breast cancer at home with her family on 10th December 2020.

Lancelot ‘Larry’ Melbourne (2019)

Lancelot ‘Larry’ Augustus Melbourne (1944 – 2019) was born in Barry, South Wales, to Lance and Florrie. He had eleven siblings, Desi, Teddy, Marie, Chris, Val, Peter, Edna, Paul, Florinda, Denise and Michael. Larry was a quiet person who enjoyed music and reading. He was also practical, making such things as a go-kart and a bicycle, moving on to motorbikes as he got older. As a child he enjoyed being outdoors and working in the garden and this was to continue all his life. Larry went to Jenner Park School and Barry Boys’ Secondary School, leaving at fifteen. After a few years at the Rank Hovis Mill, he started working in Sully Hospital as a porter in 1963. He stayed there until the hospital closed in 2001. Larry then became a groundsman at Llandough and Barry Hospital until he retired in 2009. After his parents died, Larry continued to live at the family home where he became a focal point for the family. In 2013 Larry recovered from a heart attack, after which he moved into the Bella Vista nursing home where it soon became apparent that he had dementia. Larry spent his last few months in the Heath hospital.

Laurence Oldham (2019)

Laurence Oldham was born on 25th February 1923, in Burgh near Aylsham to parents Lavinia and John Oldham. He had two brothers, Frederick and Roy, and a sister, Doreen. He grew up in Cheshire where he attended Godley St John’s School in Hyde. He left school at fourteen and joined William Chadwick and Sons accountancy firm. During WWII Laurence served with the Royal Armoured Corps. He spent time in Egypt, India and Burma. He attained the rank of Warrant Officer. After the war, Laurence became Accounts Manager at Robert McArd and Co Ltd in Denton. He qualified as a Chartered Secretary. He went on to become Director and Secretary of the Ford Car Agency in Hyde. He continued to work as an accountant until he retired in 1987. Laurence married Mary in 1950 and they had two children, Howard and Brenda. In 1984 they moved Stockport. They were involved with the local Community Theatre, where Laurence made the sets. Laurence became treasurer of the Hyde Probus Club. When Mary developed dementia, Laurence took on the role of carer, looking after his wife for several years. He spent his final years living in Suffolk with Brenda and her family , until his death on 18th October 2019.

Lawrence Deane (2018)

Lawrence Stanley Deane (1940-2018) Larry was the middle child of Leonard and Eirwen. He grew up in Llantwit Major with two sisters, Lorraine and Marianne. He went to Cowbridge Grammar School. He joined the Merchant Navy and then, in 1959, the RAF where he met Christine, who he married in 1963. They moved to London where Larry worked as a draughtsman. Daughters, Lorraine and Carolyn, were born in January and December 1964 respectively. Larry joined the Navy as an officer pilot and was posted to HMS Albion. His last posting was to Lossiemouth where Larry was an air-sea rescue pilot. Larry had undiagnosed PTSD and left the forces. After some time spent teaching, Larry started work in the Civil Service. In 1985 he got a job in the Engineering and Science Research Council in Swindon. In 1989, Larry had a heart attack retired due to ill-health. In 2008, after Christine retired, they moved to Barry where Larry volunteered at the National Coastwatch Institute’s station.

Leah Everitt (2020)

Leah Everitt (1932 – 2020) was born in Cromer on 14th December 1932 to George and Leah Nash. She was an only child. Leah left Cromer School at fourteen, and trained to become a shorthand typist. She married Philip Everitt, known as Rocky, in 1952. The couple had four children, Sandra, Philip, Mitzi-Jane, and Steven. When the children were young, she worked on a local mushroom farm, cleaned at Cromer High School and worked in many bars and hotels in and around Cromer. Leah was a keen dancer and roller-skater. In the summer, her life centred around her beach hut in Cromer. In later years, Leah explored her gift for writing. She had eleven grandchildren, and many great grandchildren. Leah died on 20 February 2020.

Lesley Williams (2019)

Lesley Margaret Williams (1945–2019) was born in Cardiff, to Stuart and Dulcie Little, and lived there for the majority of her life. She had one sister, Viv. Lesley went to Birchgrove Primary and then Cathays High, followed by University in Cardiff. She trained as a baker and chef and then took up a post teaching catering at Colchester Avenue College. Lesley married Dave in 1970 and they had two daughters, Kate and Liz. When the girls were teeenagers, Lesley went to work at the Inland Revenue until Dave’s death in 2001. She then took a voluntary job at a Cancer Research Wales charity shop. Lesley and Dave were active members of the Cardiff High School Old Boys Rugby Club. Lesley was later a member of Rhiwbina Ladies Bowls Club, becoming captain for a season. Lesley spent her last eight weeks at the Marie Curie Hospice in Penarth.

Lilian Pidgeon (2019)

Lilian (Anne) Pidgeon (1925 – 2019) was born in Hackney, to Alfred and Ethel Cottee. She had a younger brother, Ernest. When she was about six, the family moved to Southend on Sea, where she attended Hamstel Road Primary School and later Southend High School for Girls. Anne was evacuated to Nottinghamshire during the war. She left school at 17 to train as a nurse, in Sheffield. Two years later, Anne was recruited by the Armament Research Department. In 1951, Anne married Denis Pidgeon at Cambridge Shire Hall. They had six children, Colleen, Karen, Hilary, Alastair, Stuart and Sean. After she left the MOD, Anne retrained as a teacher and worked as an infant school teacher in Crowthorne, Berkshire. Anne and Denis settled in Wenhaston in 1983. After Denis died in 2005, Anne continued to live in their country bungalow until she died there. She was a prolific artist, with a particular love of handcrafts like needlework, pottery and knitting. Anne had 15 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

Lilian Riley (2019)

Lilian Riley (1929 – 2019) Lillian was born in Liverpool on the 24th January 1929, the daughter of a shipyard worker, and the eldest of four children. She and her sisters were evacuated to the Welsh Borders during the War. Later, she met John Robinson, by whom she had a son, Clive in 1956. She married John in 1960, and they divorced in 1964. In the meantime she had adopted Ade, originally from Nigeria, and for some years she was a single mother in the Wirral, supporting her two sons, before financial and social pressure led her to send Ade back to Nigeria. They did not meet again for 36 years, but then Clive tracked him down and they became close again. She often visited him and his family in LA. She was also close to John’s daughter Pat, and cared for her children. She worked in children’s homes until her early retirement. After Clive left home, she married Frank Riley, and they lived happily together till his death in 2003. She then moved to Hastings, to be near her stepdaughter and son. She died on October 4th in hospital in Hastings after a short final illness.

Linda Norman (2018)

Linda Anne Norman (1944-2018) was a woman who loved life and family. In addition to creating a wonderful home for her daughters Kate and Chloe, Lin did an Open University degree and went on to teach business studies and help shape further education policy. She was an early member of the Ecology Party and a keen member of the South Harpenden Allotment and Gardening Society, of which she became Chair. Lin leaves her second husband of 30 years, Colin, her close sister Maggie, and a wide circle of friends.

Lisa Birks (2020)

Lisa Jane Birks (1974 – 2020) was born 20th August 1974 to John and Margaret. Her mother died when Lisa was only five years of age. Thereafter her father looked after her, with the help of her grandparents and Auntie Doll, as she got older. She was brought up in Hullbridge and Thundersley, in Essex, and went to Deanes secondary school. As a child she joined the Hadleigh Marching Militaire where she played clarinet and twirled the baton. Her performances included a tour in Switzerland. When Lisa was 16 years of age, she started working at The Royals food court. Through a work colleague, she met Chris who was to become her husband for 26 years. Their son, Ryan, was born in September 1992. Sadly, Lisa’s health started to deteriorate when Ryan was only a baby. She had to give up her job as a carer for the elderly. Lisa loved animals and owned many pets including dogs, cats, and iguanas. She remained stoic about her chronic and progressive illness, which often left her exhausted and isolated. She received treatment at the Royal Free Hospital, including trial treatments so that others might be helped. Lisa died on 18th January 2020.

Lucy Buckley (2015)

Lucy Buckley (1925 – 2015) was born Lucy Mannerings in Cranbrook near Goudhurst on 6 February, and spent her childhood in Kent. She worked as a waitress and then during World War II she joined the Auxiliary Territorial Army. Through this, Lucy met husband Tommy who she married in 1948. They stayed together until her death. She enjoyed spending time with her family and doing the housework. After her marriage, she worked a variety of part-time factory jobs and had three children.

Lynne Fraser (2020)

Lynn Repsis Fraser (1948 – 2020) was born in St Paul, Minnesota, on 7th April 1943. She lived all over the US until the family settled in Denver, Colorado in the mid 1950s. She studied Biology at the University of Colorado in Boulder and then, in 1965, drove to New Haven Connecticut to start a PhD in Biology at Yale University. In 1968, Lynn met Bill Fraser and married him the following year, after completing her PhD. She then spent two years as a post‐doctoral research fellow at Yale Medical School. In 1970 they moved to the UK where Lynn worked at the Clinical Research Centre at Northwick Park Hospital. In 1975 she became a lecturer in the Department of Human Biology at Chelsea College, where she rose to Professor of Reproductive Biology. She was author or co‐author in over 130 scientific papers and chaired the UK’s Society for the Study of Fertility. She was also the first woman Chairman of The European Society of Human Reproduction and Fertility. Lynn retired in 2008, and spent much of the following 11 years travelling. In 2018 Lynn was treated for ovarian cancer but died on 9th March 2020.

Lynne Martin (2018)

Lynne Martin (1959-2018) was born to Ray and Maureen Viney. She had a older brother, Wain. Lynne grew up in and around Cambridge and went to Parkside Grammar School. She moved to London where she met Les, while they were both working as a freelance computer operators. They rented a flat together in Croydon. Believing herself unable to have children, Lynne was surprised, in 1989, to be pregnant. Lynne and Les were married in February 1990 at Croydon registry office and their daughter Jennifer was born in July 1990. The family moved around until deciding to settle in Hythe. Lynne had a varied career including as a recruitment consultant, financial advisor and worked for local town and parish councils. Lynne had two grandchildren, Jack and George. She was a keen walker and yoga practitioner.

Madeleine Spears (2019)

Madeleine Spears (1945-2019)
Madeleine was born on 3rd November 1945, in Bassaleg, near Newport, the middle one of three daughters born to Brenda Dean and Frank King. Madeleine was smart and became head girl at her local grammar school. She studied zoology, marine biology and chemistry at West Ham College of Technology and then became a teacher. At college she met David; they married and had two children. Together they set up a production company which produced over 300 award-winning educational science films. Madeleine was a committed political activist and trades unionist. She enjoyed family campervan holidays, talking with friends, and the activities of her local U3A geology group.

Majid Matar (2018)

Majid Matar (1955-2018) was born in December 1955. He was married to Leoncie in 1990. He had a son and a daughter. He died in July 2018 aged 63.

Margaret Audrey Drew (Lizzie) (2020)

Lizzie was born Margaret Audrey Bingham in Sheffield on 23rd July 1937 to Samuel and Gladys a younger sister to John. She was adventurous, strong-willed, refined, organised and, most of all, warm-hearted and kind. She started as an assistant stage manager at the Nottingham Playhouse before moving on to acting in rep in Sheffield. Then she followed her dream to be an air hostess and loved flying with BOAC for 6 years. When working for her brother in London arranging seminars she met her partner Bryn Drew, the building contractor working on her flat in Chiswick. Together they converted a Chiswick house into a successful 18 bed hotel. As the business grew and they handed over more of the day to day running they enjoyed a number of adventurous holidays organised to suit them both and enjoyed meeting up with family and friends and making the most of the whole cultural life of London. Lizzie died on the 23rd September 2020.

Margaret Bannister (2018)

Margaret Edith Bannister (1948-2018) was born in Milford Haven, to Les and Dilys Brown and had a sister, Linda. Her family had been trawler men for generations. She was a bright girl who won a place at the Board School. She enjoyed swimming and played hockey for the school. When she was a teenager, the family moved to Cardiff, where Margaret worked for British Telecom. Subsequently she moved into Health Service Administration where she worked for the next thirty years. Margaret had a fondness for Greece, which she visited regularly. Margaret met her husband, Barrie, and moved to his cottage in Tyn-yr-Odyn. She was an excellent chef and loved working in the cottage garden.

Margaret Bennett (2016)

Margaret Bennett (1925 – 2016) was born Margaret Perkins in East Dulwich, London. She was the third of six children. She served as a nurse during World War II and then became a teacher after the war. She married her husband in 1949 and they had three children: Lynn, Ann, and David. After raising her children, she became a care assistant for the elderly and eventually manager of a residential care home.

Margaret Ford (2019)

Margaret Isabel Ford (1927-2018) was born in London, the middle child of Isabel and Charles Western. She had an elder sister, Barbara, and a younger brother, Ken. Margaret left Barratt Street Trade School aged 14 and started work as an apprentice hairdresser near Harrow. She married Tony in 1952. Their son, Jeremy was born in 1956. The family moved to Bedhampton, followed by Woodingdean, and then on to Battle. Margaret had a passion for birds and nature, spending a lot of time at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. Margaret also loved gardening.

Margaret Parsons (2020)

Margaret ‘Madge’ Parsons (1924 – 2019) was born in Holbeck, Leeds, on 15th of February 1924 to Adam and Eliza Moscrop. She had a brother and a sister, and also twelve half sisters and brothers. Madge was educated at Ingram’s Road Primary School in Holbeck. She grew up during the depression years and WWII. Madge was a very talented swimmer and represented Yorkshire. On leaving school Madge worked as a seamstress. At the age of 18, she joined the Women’s Land Army and she served four years, near Thirsk, where she met Claude Parsons. They married in December 1945 and lived in Tipton, before returning to Leeds. John was born in 1947 followed by Andrew in 1949, and Christopher, in 1952. Madge was a keen gardener, producing her own food. She was also a great cook. Madge enjoyed travel and she was fortunate in her life to see many wonderful places. She was a grandmother to Michael, Shane, Gemma and Keeley, and great grandma to Joshua, Millie, Anna, Eva, Maisie, Lewis, Charlie, Maddie and Betsy. After a fall, Madge moved into sheltered accommodation in Thorn Hill Court and then Aire View where she died on 31st December 2019.

Margaret Pride (2018)

Margaret Alison Pride (1947-2018) was born in Cardiff to David and Phyllis Roche. She was one of seven children. Margaret left school and worked as a wages clerk and in the same year she met Ed Pride, whom she married in 1968. Their first house was in Llantrisant, where Ian was born. They moved to Llandaff where Jane was born. In 1973, the family moved to Buckinghamshire, where Sally was born. In 1976 they moved back to Wales. They lived in a caravan in Llangynwyd, next to a derelict farmhouse that they spent the next two years renovating. They kept many animals on their smallholding. When the children were old enough, Margaret started work at Maesteg Comprehensive, where she stayed for 30 years. She had five grandchildren, Katie, James, Lewis, Abbie and Alex. She died in south Wales.

Margaret Saunders (2019)

Margaret Saunders (1924 – 2019) was born on 25th November 1924 in Croydon, to Sidney and Ellen Uphill. She had an older older sister, Hilda. During the Second World War, she was evacuated to Norfolk. After the war, Margaret returned to London and married Albert Saunders. They had three children, Janet, Donald, and Ann. Margaret looked after the children and the home. They bought a smallholding in Norfolk which Margaret ran whilst Albert continued to work as an engineer. Margaret became very involved with her local community, and was a keen member of the Women’s Institute, representing them at the National Conference in London. After moving to a smaller home, Margaret worked at the local school as dinner lady and caretaker. Margaret and Albert were instrumental in establishing the Millennium Green in Carbrooke in 2000. Cycling was a large part of family life and Margaret and Albert became involved in the organising side of the sport. They were committee members of the Road Time Trials Council for the Eastern District. Following Albert’s death in 2008, Margaret continued to live in their cottage, with support from her family until she needed constant care, and moved to Dorrington House for the last five years of her life. Margaret died peacefully in her sleep on 10th November 2019.

Marilyn Mountstephens (2019)

Marilyn Dorothy Mountstephens (1950 – 2019) was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 26th January 1950, the third of four daughters born to parents Cathy and Dennis. Marilyn had a strong sense of adventure and travelled to England where she met Terry. They married in 1974 and had three children. Marilyn and her family enjoyed many outdoor sports together, and she and Terry enjoyed fancy-dress parties. Marilyn was a creative and skilled seamstress, knitter and craftswoman. She was an accomplished events organiser and organised all her children’s weddings. She was an exciting person, full of energy and life and with a great sense of humour.

Marion Spencer (2019)

Marion Spencer (1920 – 2019) was born and raised in the London Borough of Harrow. Her parents were Thomas Wilson Fox and Mabel Dalton. She had two sisters, Barbara and Shirley. She went to Brondesbury & Kilburn High School, where she became head girl. Marion then went to UCL where she gained a First in a general arts degree. Conscription took her into the Board of Trade as a civil servant, during the war. In 1945 she passed the exam into the Administrative Class of the Civil Service. She met her husband, John, at Staff College. They married in 1958, after a nine year courtship. Marion then left the Civil Service and moved to London where Cathy was born. Richard arrived two years later. Marion loved opera and sang in a choir. After ten years in Croydon, the family moved to Oxford, and Marion took up a part-time post in the library at Westminster College. In retirement, Marion was an active member of Oxford U3A and established its opera group. She volunteered for the League of Friends at the John Radcliffe Hospital. Marion was grandmother to Tom, Beth and Matthew.

Mark Howlett (2019)

Mark Andrew John Howlett (1964-2019) was the son of Rita and John Howlett and the younger brother of Debbie. He grew up in Oxford and attended Redefield School. He left school at the age of 16 and became a driver, qualifying to operate HGVs. Mark married Lindsey in 1993. Their first son, Andrew, came along in 1996 followed by Jamie in 1998. Mark was a talented darts player, winning many contests. He was a keen Oxford United fan and a renowned practical joker. In 2014, Mark suffered a cardiac arrest which left him with brain damage. He spent most of the next five years in The Leonard Cheshire Nursing home in Burcot and died in The John Radcliffe Hospital., Oxford. He was only 54.

Martin Chandos Taylor (2022)

Martin Chandos Taylor (1952 – 2020) was born in Chelsea on 23^rd May 1952 to Alfred and Lady Ursula Taylor, the youngest brother to Peter and John.  Martin’s childhood was spent in Kew, attending a school in Gunnersbury.  Martin took a degree in Arabic and Oriental Studies at university before joining International Computers Ltd (ICL).  Martin changed jobs many times, working in the private, public and charity sectors, moving from programming to IT security.  Martin was a linguist, but enjoyed dismantling and building computer hardware, reading and music.  He played the tuba, playing with the Wantage Silver Band and he was chair of the Oxfordshire and District Brass Band Association for several years.  Martin lived in Newbury, then Grove until 2006 and after other moves, he settled after retirement in Swindon. With his first wife, Ruth, Martin had two sons, David and Alec.  Later, Martin married Sue and became stepfather to her two sons Alistair and Matthew.

Martin Gilbert (2019)

Martin Thomas Gilbert (1921 – 2019) was born in Folkestone on 8th February 1921, to Charles and Dorothy. He had a younger brother. Martin won a scholarship to The Harvey Grammar School. In 1937, he started an electrical engineering apprenticeship in London with Marryat & Place and gained a Higher National Certificate in Electrical Engineering. In 1940 his parents moved to Sunderland, where Martin joined them after his London accomodation was bombed. He worked in a shipyard until 1943, when he joined the Navy as a Volunteer Reserve. This turned into a 25 year commission in the Royal Navy. After the war, Martin met Jean, whom he married in 1950, after a three year posting in the Mediterranean. In 1961, the couple settled in Totnes with their three children, Anthony, Ruth and Sarah. Martin retired from the Navy in 1971, having attained the rank of Commander. After the Navy he joined Gilflex, a company his father had started, making plastic electrical conduit. This led to a career in international trading standards. Martin became a keen sailor in the 70s and 80s. Martin and Jean were active members of the Totnes community and Martin was a key member of a group that supported Tanzanian farmers. Jean died in 1991. Martin married Anita in 1993. Anita died in 2012, and Martin‘s health began to deteriorate. He died in Torbay hospital on 17th November 2019.

Martin John Smith (2020)

Martin John Smith was born in Wolverhampton on 1st July 1959 to Jean and Bernard. He had three siblings, Paul, Sue and Robin. He passed his eleven plus exam and went to Penistone Grammar School, followed by Huddersfield Technical College. Having started work at Shelley Textiles, Martin made the decision to move to the South of France. He worked on a campsite in Canet-Plage. He became fluent in French and ultimately became head of security. After 16 years, Martin returned to Yorkshire, settling in Hawes and working in the hospitality industry. He progressed his way up from night porter to front of house manager at The George Hotel in Huddersfield. When his mother’s health deteriorated, Martin gave up his job to become a full-time carer for her. He also established a gardening business, working around his caring role. He was a proud and loving uncle to Callum, Michael, Jennifer, Emily, Ashley and George. Martin died on 14th June 2020.

Mary Cole (2019)

Mary Catherine Cole (1923-2019) was born in London, the only daughter of William and Mary McCarthy. Her father was an ardent socialist, and strongly influenced the beliefs that she held all her life. At the beginning of the war she joined the Wrens, and was stationed at Chatham. After the war, she worked at the BBC as an editor and met and married Lionel Cole. They lived for a while in Venezuela, where Matthew and Rosanne were born. The family settled in Hampstead Garden Suburb in 1963, where they enjoyed an active social life. Mary was an extraordinary hostess and a fantastic cook. In 1986 they retired to Uckfield. Mary was a volunteer for the Citizens Advice Bureau and a yoga teacher. Mary was also a grandmother.

Mary Gordon (2019)

Mary Gordon (1923–2019) was the fourth of seven children born to John and Ethel. She grew up in Manchester. Her father died when she was seven, leaving the family in poverty. Mary left school at 14 to work at a munitions factory. She met Wilfred and they had a son, Douglas. They didn’t marry until Wilfred returned from the war. In the mid 60s, Wilfred’s work took them to New Jersey, enabling them to explore the Americas. Mary worked as a seamstress in both the UK and the US. They returned to live close to their son Douglas and his family. Mary had five grandchildren; Gary, Colin, Michelle, Wayne and Karl, and later thirteen great-grandchildren, and even lived to meet great-great grandchildren. Wilfred died in 1996. Mary travelled to Australia many times to visit Michelle and her family. At the age of 86, Mary moved to Shropshire to live next to her grandson, Gary. Mary spent the last few months of her life in Llysfield Nursing Home in Oswestry.

Mary Leach (2018)

Mary Leach (1931-2018) was born and raised in Stonyford, the third of nine children. Like many girls in those days, she left school at 14 and entered the world of domestic service. When she was 20, Mary married the 21 year old George and, not long after, Mary gave birth to Jane and then later to Gwen. The family settled in Manley and would remain there for the rest of their lives. Mary worked on farms and as a cleaner throughout her life. She loved the countryside, taking particular delight in watching the flowers bloom through the seasons. Mary died on 9 January, aged 86.

Mary Roberts (2019)

Mary Alice Roberts (1930 – 2019) was born on 2nd June 1930, to Annie and Jack Wilkinson, in Fartown, Yorkshire. Her sister, Margaret, was born when Mary was sixteen. She went to Greenhead Grammar School, then worked at ICI, dye testing in the laboratory. Mary married Norman in 1950, at Christ Church, Woodhouse and they welcomed two children, Anne and Chris, to the world. She was a supportive mum, encouraging Anne in her career, and helping patch Chris up after various escapades. Mary returned to work testing dyes for Colne Vale Dye and Chemical Co. and later for Croda, and always had an impeccable eye for colour matches. She became an incredibly proud grandma and great-grandma, and loved to spend time with the young ones whenever she could. Mary and Norman enjoyed a long and happy marriage, full of holiday adventures and time spent with friends. Mary died on 22nd August 2019 at the Sycamore Park Care Home.

Mary Urquhart (2018)

Mary ‘May’ Hannah Urquhart (1931 – 2018) was born in Lockerbie but spent her childhood and early adulthood in Dundee. She was the youngest of nine children. She left school at 14 to work as a window dresser at a department store in Dundee. She met her future husband David Urquhart at evening classes. They had three children, Ann, Alison and Douglas. May was open minded and liberal for her generation. After separating from David, May went back into the retail world, with Dickens & Jones and John Lewis, among others. May retired aged 65. She had four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Matthew ‘Matt’ Trotter (2021)

Matthew ‘Matt’ Trotter (1939 – 2021) was born on 14th January 1939 in Washington, County Durham, to Bob and Rosie Trotter. He had five siblings, Joe, Jackie, Bobbie, Billy and Maggie. Matt joined the RAF aged 15, after his father and brothers. He reached the rank of Sergeant in Bomber Squadron. He served several tours abroad in Bahrain and Egypt. Matt excelled at sport and represented the RAF at cricket and football. He also earned a Football Association coaching qualification. Matt met Christine in 1962 when he was stationed at Finningley. They married in 1963 and had two daughters Lindsay and Beverley. Matt retired from the RAF in 1972 and became a self-employed door-to-door insurance salesman and rose to become regional director for the company. His work took the family to live in Norfolk and Wales, returning to Doncaster in 1987. He retired in 2001. Matt had four granddaughters, Olivia, Chesca, Gabriella and Maddie. He was renowned for his fine singing voice and his willingness to help family, friends and work colleagues. Matt died on 18th April 2021.

Mervyn Stuart-Smith (2021)

Mervyn Stuart-Smith (1927 – 2021) was born on 28^th January 1927 to Beatrice and Gilbert Smith in Frenchay, near Bristol and had a younger sister Margaret.  Mervyn’s early life was impacted by the Second World War and the death of his mother at the age of fourteen.  Following his National Service in the Royal Armoured Corps, Melvyn gained a degree from Nottingham University.  After university Mervyn secured a job at Downing College, Cambridge. His second year’s training was spent at the College of Tropical Agriculture in Trinidad.  After marrying Josie Stuart on 16^th July 1954 at the Parish Church of St. Michael and All Angels, Thurmaston, Leicester, Mervyn was appointed as an Agricultural Adviser with the Colonial Agricultural Service.  Mervyn and Josie lived in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and for ten years in Tuaran, Sabah, North Borneo.  Josie and Mervyn’s first son Ben was born in Malaysia and Jonathan, after returning to the UK.  Mervyn re-trained as a technical teacher at Wolverhampton before securing a job in 1967 at the Francis Jeeps College in Cambridge where he worked until he was sixty.  Mervyn also lectured in other colleges in East Anglia and he became an examiner in Tropical Agriculture for the Cambridge University Examination Board.  Other than his passion for cricket, Mervyn enjoyed the Arts, reading and gardening.

Michael (Mike) Lewis (2019)

Michael (Mike) John Lewis (1950 – 2019) was born to Beryl and Jim Lewis on 1st January 1950. He had a younger sister, Annie. The family moved frequently with his father’s RAF postings, but often returned to his Grandparents’ farm in Kinsley, Yorkshire. Michael started boarding at Pocklington School in Yorkshire, aged 9. He got his first guitar aged 15 and had a life-long passion for music, playing in many bands. Michael passed his A-Levels and went on to study Natural Sciences at Christ’s College Cambridge. He stayed on in Cambridge after graduating, getting his first professional Job at the University Genetics Department. Michael married Caroline Bennett in 1978. Their children, Joe and Holly arrived in the mid-eighties. In 1982 he joined the Laboratory of Molecular Biology for the Medical Research Council where he worked for 32 years. During this time he made some very significant scientific discoveries and earned a PhD. Introduced to the sport by his daughter, he also had a committed career in the sport of fencing, both as participant and administrator. Michael was grandfather to Alfie and Ada. He died on 21st July 2019.

Michael John Sawbridge (2015)

Michael John Sawbridge (1937-2015) was born on 21 October in Brazil where his father had settled after the First World War. After boarding school in England and a brief spell as an accountant, Mike was called up to do his national service. He served in the RAF and later became a jet pilot. He would go on to serve around the Middle East and Africa, including a stint flying for the Royal Jordanian Air Force. It was during this time he met Carol whom he married in 1966, and who would then join him on his overseas postings. Later, Michael moved into flying commercial airliners. The couple had two children, Mark and Martin. Michael loved squash and walking in the countryside. He died on 27 September, aged 77.

Michael Penny (2016)

Michael Penny was born on 28 July 1917 in Taunton. During World War II, he served in the RAF before rejoining the family timber business when the war ended. Michael enjoyed playing sports, particularly tennis, squash, and hockey, and walking trips across the country. He married his wife Jean in 1946 and they had one child, Stephen, and three grandchildren.

Michael Tudor (2019)

Michael Tudor (1965 – 2019) was born in Liverpool to Cathy. He had two sisters, Tina and Alison. He passed his 11+ and went to Campion grammar school but left without any qualifications. He left home at 16 and did various jobs in Liverpool. He met his life partner, Diane, in 1987. Michael did an Art and Design BTEC course. He and Diane then moved to London, where he went to Thames Polytechnic, to study Humanities. Michael’s teaching career included Community Music teacher at the Rathbone Arts centre, course leader for digital arts at the John Evelyn Centre and teaching graphics at Sacred Heart. Music was an essential part of Michael’s life, both as a musician and as a fan. Michael married Diane on Valentine’s Day, 2017. He had been diagnosed in August 2016 with stage 4 lung cancer. However, in February 2019 he developed serious complications and his condition began to deteriorate. He died on 20th May 2019.

Michael Wagner (2017)

Michael Wagner (1917 – 2017)was born in London on 2 November, the second of three children. He joined the army during World War II and, after being captured in North Africa, managed to escape from an Italian Prisoner of War Camp, spending five months hiding in a chapel. After the war, Michael joined the Colonial Service and was stationed in Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia), eventually becoming Under Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. He married his wife Nan in 1946 and they had three children, Bobbie, Margie, and Trish, and nine grandchildren.

Michael Walmsley (2020)

Michael Walmsley was born on 9th September 1960 to Pauline and Roy. He had a younger brother, David, and was close to his maternal grandparents. He grew up in Holywell Green, West Yorkshire. Michael was a lifelong Liverpool FC supporter, travelling all over England to watch them play and sometimes made the trip to Europe to see some of their international matches. His parents divorced, but Michael had a good relationship with both of his step parents. He went to school at Brooksbank in Elland. His first job was at Waller Brothers mill in West Vale. He later worked as a book-binder at Remploi. After leaving home, he got a flat in Stainland, where he lived with his cat, Socks and his enormous DVD collection. Michael was an uncle to Grant and a great uncle to Eva. He died on 4th May 2020.

Michel Prigent (2019)

Michel Pierre William Prigent (1943-2019) was born in Hereford, to Margaret and Pierre. He was the eldest child of four, with brothers Alain, William and sister Jean. The first three years of his life were spent in England and then in Brittany, but the family followed his dad’s postings first to Tunisia and then to Bavaria. At the age of 14, he went to a catering school in Strasbourg. After college Michel served as an apprenticeship in the French merchant navy. He moved to London in the 1960s, working various jobs including as a chef at The Savoy, but was more interested in political movements. Michel had a daughter, Sappho, from a relationship with Karoline Deck, and two grandchildren, Phoebe and Jacob. He was a keen musician, playing drums and guitar.

Mona Stakes (2019)

Mona Stakes (1927–2019) was born in Dewsbury, the only child of Leonard and Florrie Spurr. She had an idyllic childhood which came to an end when her dad fell ill and died when she was only ten. Mona grew up very quickly, taking responsibility for many of the household chores. Mona earned a scholarship to Dewsbury Tech Commercial School, but had to leave at fourteen to earn a wage. She made a contribution to the war effort, weaving parachute silk. In 1947, Mona married her first husband, Desmond. They had three daughters, Janet, Margaret and Ruth. Mona stayed at home to look after them. When Desmond became ill, Mona went out to work again, as a nursing auxiliary at Dewsbury General Hospital. After Desmond died, leaving her a widow at 45, she worked in old people’s residential homes, becoming Assistant Matron. Mona then met and married Les. They enjoyed 40 years together. Mona died at home in Dewsbury. She was a grandmother to Matthew, Helen and Robert, and great-grandmother to Phoebe, Lottie, James, Tom, Annie and Naya.

Neil Faraday (2018)

Neil Michael James Faraday (1968-2018) was born Neil Redhead in Cambridgeshire, to Margaret and John. He was the middle child of three, with brothers Martin and Andrew. He went to Dartford Road Infants and Westwood Primary School and then on to Hereward School for his secondary education. Neil’s first job was with the Department of Employment, leading to a move to Leicester. Later he worked at Viking where he became a team manager before a change of career to lorry driver. He later joined British Gas as a customer service advisor. At British Gas he became the LGBT workplace organiser for his GMB union and was a strong supporter of Stonewall and a member of the Labour Party. Neil met Mike in 1998. They entered into a Civil Partnership in 2006 and married in 2015. They developed a shared interest in motor cycling. Neil died peacefully after a 4 year battle with cancer.

Nic Snow (2019)

Nic Snow (1963 – 2019) was born in Hammersmith to Betty and Alf. He had three siblings, Malcolm, Elaine and Chris. His parents separated when Nic was nine, and he and Chris spent a year in New Zealand with their father. On return, Nic spent chunks of time with his mother or father living in west London. After leaving Westminster College he tried various things, starting out in retail. In the 80’s, he became a copywriter and worked for some of the top London agencies such as Saatchi’s, working in film, TV and print. Nic married and had a daughter, Kelly. He moved to Eastbourne in the late 1980’s. He set up his own business, designing and building websites for his clients. He was also a part-time technical adviser for The Fertility Network and Dyslexia Action. Nic had a passion for motorbikes. He also loved films, gaming and reading. Nick was reunited with Cally, his sweetheart from college, and he spent his last few years with her. Nic died in Eastbourne.

Nicholas John Levine (2021)

Nick was born on 21st December 1938 the second child (Catherine was born 1935) of Sydney and Leila. The family were evacuated to Berkhamsted while Sydney stayed mostly in London working at the Ministry of Supply and on air raid duty. After the war the family moved to Highgate where Nick went to Primary School and first met his future wife Julia. He attended the liberal boarding school Bryanston in Dorset and then went to Cambridge and on into teaching at Rickmansworth Grammar School. When taking a school trip to the Victoria and Albert Museum he bumped into Julia again who was studying at the Royal College of Art. They married in 1963 and in 1964 went to Tanzania on the Teachers for Africa scheme where Rob was born. Jo was born on their return to England where Nick taught at Crownwoods School, Eltham, but their third child, William, died aged just nine months. The family moved to Gloucestershire where Nick was a deputy headmaster and Jess was born in 1976 when the family moved to Crowborough where Nick became headmaster at Beacon Academy and later Tom was born. Nick retired in 1994 and bought himself a piece of woodland which remained a passion and a major occupation. Nick made a great and lasting contribution to the local Labour Party, doubling the Labour vote in the 1997 General Election. He also worked for the Citizen’s Advice Bureau and the local Foodbank, chaired the local bridge club and was a thoughtful contributor to two book clubs. Nick and Julia moved to a beautiful house, Goldsmiths, where, during the Covid pandemic, they had “a good lockdown” surrounded by the Sussex countryside before Nick died on 23rd February 2021.

Nicholas Price (2018)

Nicholas Ernest Price (1939-2018) Nick was born in Stanmore in Middlesex to Ernest and Margaret Price. He had an elder sister, June. Nick’s first job was in avionics with Ultra Electronics in Park Royal. Later he joined the family business making pottery vases. Nick married Frances, ‘the girl next door’, in 1960. They lived in Stanmore where Andrew and Tim were born. In 1970 the family moved to Pinner where Suzie was born in 1973. Nick shot competitively for his rifle club and his country. He restored old cars and a river boat in which they took family trips up the Thames. Nick started a new business called Pinner Glass which he ran for twenty years, assisted by Andrew. Eventually Nick and Frances retired to Hook Norton where he enjoyed gardening, playing golf and watching cricket. Nick was a loving Grandfather to James, Jack, Sarah, Stephanie, Sophie, Amber and Isabel.

Nigel Watson (2019)

Nigel Jerome Edwin Watson (1947–2019) was born in Southall, one of seven children, and grew up mainly in Putney and in Wolverhampton. He was a talented guitarist, singer and composer. He collaborated and toured with numerous well-known artists, in particular, Peter Green. Nigel had three children, Josh and Alistair in the 90s, from his marriage to Sandra, and Paul from an earlier relationship with Pixie in the 70s. When he wasn’t working as a musician, he was a very fine carpenter. He had many hobbies and passions, most notably his racing pigeons and his Jaguar cars. He loved all kinds of animals and birds. Nigel lived for many years in Oxted but died in Sevenoaks.

Noel Gibbard (2019)

Noel Gibbard (1922 – 2018) was born on 12th December 1922 in Hornsey, London, to May Mallard and William Gibbard. He had an older brother and sister, Roger and Rosalie. His childhood home was in Folkestone but he was evacuated during the war. Noel trained at the officer cadet training unit and Kings College, as a Royal Engineer. He was posted all over the UK and Europe, rising to the rank of Lieutenant. Noel married Elizabeth, with whom he had three children, Anne, Sheila and David. He continued his engineering degree at Cambridge University and eventually set up home in Slough. Noel’s career took him to Haden’s in London, as a heating and ventilation engineer. He rose to a managerial position but turned down a directorship to remain on the floor as a manager. He soon became an expert in his field. His academic papers on heating and ventilation engineering were well regarded by the Royal Institute, who on one occasion, awarded a medal to Noel for his outstanding research. Noel and Betty became grandparents to Joanna, Jen, Philippa, Duncan, Nicola and Andrew. In 1982 he retired but took an active roll with the Chiltern Humanists, where he became their Chairman. He wrote political articles for the Times under the pseudonym of Ian Woods and volunteered for the Maidenhead Voluntary Bureau. He bounced back after the death of his wife and his son David. Noel was diagnosed with lymphatic leukaemia and eventually died on 7th December 2018.

Olive Settle (2020)

Olive Settle was born on the 29th July 1928, the daughter of a senior nurse and a head gardener, and her childhood, growing up in the gardener’s house in a park, was a lonely one, though one which taught her to love nature. She signed up under age into the Women’s Land Army, which she hugely enjoyed. In 1949 she married Charles Settle, and they had two children, Paul and Yvonne. Charles was often away with his work for British Rail, and the Army Emergency Reserve, and was later active in the Scouts, which meant Olive again led a solitary life. She worked for an Estate Agents and a builders, and when she retired became a member of the Wilmington Active Retirement Group. She spent her last couple of years at Yvonne’s, where she enjoyed joining in the many social events. She died peacefully on February 4th 2020.

Olive Smith (2017)

Olive Smith (1938-2017) was born and raised in Harrogate, the younger of two children. She met John, her first husband, when she was 20 and lived with him in Singapore whilst he served with the RAF. Upon returning from Asia, she and John lived at various air bases in and around Wiltshire. She and John later separated and she married Howard in 1973. They had two children, Simon and Gillian. Olive worked as a typist throughout her life, including for the Ministry of Defence and the Suffolk Constabulary. The family lived in Cameroon for two and a half years in the 1980s. Olive loved to visit Europe on her holidays – including in her later years whilst suffering health problems. Olive died on 19th January, aged 78.

Oliver Fyson (2020)

Oliver Fyson (1953 – 2020) was born in Witney on 31st October 1953 to Richard and Ella. He was the fourth of five children. He was the first member of his family to go to university. He studied engineering at City University in London. Once qualified, Oliver worked on a number of major projects overseas, including in India and Iraq. During this time he met Sophie and returned to the UK, where they married in 1984. They lived in London for a while, where Oliver renovated their homes. They moved to Oxford where they started a family. Oliver joined AKSWard, where he was to work for the rest of his career. In the last few years of his life, Oliver was involved with Wolvercote Community Orchard, helping in particular with the annual Apple Days and improving access for people with disabilities. He was diagnosed with melanoma in 2018 but remained active for as long as he was able. Oliver died on 1st March 2020.

Olivia ‘Livvie’ MacDonald (2018)

Olivia ‘Livvie’ MacDonald (1934-2018) grew up in war-time Birmingham and remembers the Lancaster bombers leaving the Longbridge works near her home. She had a sister, Ruth, and a brother, John. Livvie learned guitar and performed locally in a folk band. She joined The Royal Signals as a radio operator in the early 50s and served in Cyprus. It was there that she learned to sail and developed a passion for boats – building two of her own later in life. After the army she worked in the electronics and engineering industry in the West Midlands. Livvie and Iris had quads in 1959, all of whom sadly died very young. Livvie is survived by her son, Brian. In 1990, whilst living in Cornwall, Livvie had a stroke which changed her life. In 2002 she moved to Hailsham to live with Theresa, whom she’d met, two years before, through an online forum for people going through gender reassignment. Livvie continued with her passion for making theatrical costumes and immersed herself in family life and part-time jobs.

Otto Ephrem Carballo (2018)

Otto Carballo (1945-2018) was born and raised in Trinidad, the youngest of six. He won a scholarship to a prestigious secondary school in Trinidad and Tobago, and then to the University of the West Indies. He later won a government scholarship to study architecture in England. When he was 23, he met and fell in love with Christine. They married and Otto became stepfather to her two children, Nicholas and Lalita. Otto worked as an architect and as immigration officer and later became an expert on forgeries. He was known for his intellectual brilliance and he was a member of Mensa. He died on 16 April, 2018, aged 72.

Pam Llewellyn (2017)

Pamela Llewellyn (1933 – 2017) was born Pamela Jones in Bromley on 28 September. She studied History at Birmingham University and then went on to obtain a PGCE in London, allowing her to become a teacher. She held a variety of teaching posts, eventually ending up as the Head of History and Government and Politics at the Sixth Form College in Barrow-in-Furness. Pamela was also a borough councillor and after her retirement led a successful campaign to improve the local library in Taunton. She remained with partner John until his death in 1999.

Pat Berry (2020)

Pat Berry (1927 – 2020) was born in Sunderland on 5th May 1927 to Celia and Leonard. She had two siblings, Celia and Len. Pat passed her eleven plus exams and attended Bede grammar school, where she became head-girl. She was only twelve when WWII started. Pat trained at Langham Tower in Sunderland to become a teacher, teaching netball, swimming, games, dance, and PE. She was also a netball referee, and had lifeguard qualifications. She married Simon Berry in 1949. They were married for 64 years and had a daughter, Jane. Outside work, Pat was a member of the local history group and the wildfowl and wetlands trust and volunteered at the local hospital. She enjoyed yoga, drawing, painting, tapestry and birdwatching. After Simon’s unexpected death in 2013, Pat moved to London to be with Jane, her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She joined Finchley Victoria bowling and croquet club, making many new friends. She died on 12th November 2020 in Barnet Hospital.

Pat Kendall (2014)

Pat Kendall (1934 – 2014) was born in Bethnal Green, London on 19 October, one of six children. She worked as a machinist and enjoyed sewing, travelling, and spending time with her family. Pat married husband Alan in 1955 and they remained married until her death. They had three children: Tony, Carol, and Jackie.

Patricia ‘Pat’ Wright (2017)

Patricia ‘Pat’ Wright (1952-2017) was born on 1 May in Sunderland and raised in South Hetton, Hartlepool, and Seaton Carew. She was an only child. After training as a primary school teacher, she went on to spend 30 years as a special educational needs teacher, in the later years becoming the Coordinator of Special Needs at Campion School in Leamington. She and her husband Alan were married for 40 years, but neither wished to have children. Pat and Alan shared a love of music and of the Norfolk Broads, the latter of which Alan introduced to Pat on their honeymoon. Pat died on 9 October 2017, aged 65.

Patricia Clark (2019)

Patricia Mary Clark (1933-2019) was born in the tiny village of Corofin, in Ireland, to Michael and Mary. At the age of 15, she was sent to stay with her sister in Cardiff to look for employment. She trained as a nurse and joined the newly-formed NHS, and specialised in theatre work for many years. Patricia met Jim in 1956 and after a five year long-distance courtship, they married in Kensington High Street in 1961. They moved around the country, spending a while in Manchester, where Pat worked at St. Joseph’s Hospital, running the operating theatre. In 1967 their daughter, Patti, was born. In 1972, the family went to live in Singapore. When they moved back, they bought a house in Tunbridge Wells and Pat went back to nursing, this time in geriatrics. She died in Tunbridge Wells.

Patricia Hosking (2018)

Patricia Margaret Hosking (1953-2018) was born in Gloucestershire to Jack and Margaret. She had three older brothers, David, Anthony, Colin and a younger sister, Sylvia. She married Keith in 1973, and in 1976 they bought a house in Oxfordshire where their four boys, Thomas, Robert, Michael and Kenneth, were born. In 1985, the family moved to Somerset, where they lived for 33 years. Patricia worked at Tesco for 21 years and also as a dinner-lady at Croscombe Primary school. In 2012, she took early retirement and became the carer of Keith’s mother Christine. Patricia was grandmother to Jessica, Scott and Mia.

Patricia Legge (2019)

Patricia Legge (1940 – 2019) was born Patricia Ivall on 13 March 1940 in Alverstoke, Hampshire. The family moved to Duxford, where Pat grew up with her sister Fay and her brother Jim. Whilst working at Babraham Research Institute in Cambridge, she met Anthony Legge, whom she married in December 1961. They had two children, Karen and Alex. Pat and Tony moved to Great Shelford. Pat then decided to pursue a career in education. She trained at Homerton College. She loved teaching and taught at primary schools in Stapleford, Grantchester and Coton where she became Deputy Head. Her final teaching years were spent as Headteacher at Harston and Newton Primary School. Pat took her MA at Madingley Hall Institute of Education. Pat eventually retired and ran a B&B from her home in Great Shelford. She enjoyed amateur dramatics, both acting and writing. Pat was a grandmother to Lucy, Tom, Joe and Wyn and also to Alex’s stepchildren Perys, Owain and Dylan. Pat did not want extensive treatment for her oesophageal cancer, preferring quality of life over a difficult extension of it. She died on 7th November 2019.

Patricia Margaret Buxton (2020)

Pat was born on 17 August 1937 in Epping Hospital to Sidney and Gladys Jones the third of four children, Eric, Ron and Melvin. Pat went to school in Loughton and then to Walthamstow College. In 1956 Pat married Bruce Buxton and they moved to Derbyshire where Helen and Lynn were born. When they were 9 and 6 the family moved south to Ilford and then to Cranham where Bruce and the children were vey involved in swimming activities. Pat and Bruce divorced in 1973 and Helen stayed with Pat in Hornchurch and then Harold Wood while Lynn and Bruce moved to Devon. Pat worked as a legal secretary in London and also in pubs and clubs back home to help with finances. Pat was happy in the family circle and a very involved grandparent to Helen’s children Laura, Nina, Karen and Faye and Lynn’s children, Matthew and Daniel and later a fond great grandparent to Luca, Giovanni and Roberta, Adam, Oliver and Ava, and Leah, Ali, Kaitlin, Megan and Charlie, Lily Mae and Alma. Pat moved in 2010 to a retirement complex in Saffron Walden to be near Helen and spent a lot of time with her family, taking regular holidays with Helen and Lynn.  Pat was diagnosed with lung cancer just ten weeks before she died at Highfield Care Home on December 8th 2020.

Patricia Newell (2019)

Patricia Joyce Newell (1935 – 2019) was born in Swaythling, Southampton to Len and Mabel Hendy. Pat’s schooling was disrupted by the Second World War. Her school, Swaythling Primary was taken over by the Army and some of the soldiers, including Americans, befriended Pat and her sister Jan. In the early fifties Pat met Jim Newell at the Top Rank Ice Rink. Their friendship turned into romance and a marriage which lasted over sixty years. Their house in Edwina Close became their life-long home where Pat brought up their two sons, Paul and Gary. For twenty-three years Pat worked in the sports shop Waterhouse and Collings. Pat particularly liked taking holidays in Greece. One year, Pat and Jim went to Richmond Virginia to visit one of the American soldiers who had befriended Pat in the War, and had become a close family friend. Pat’s hobbies included sewing counted cross-stitch pictures, embroidering tapestries, playing Scrabble and collecting Royal Mail memorabilia.

Patricia Pinch (2020)

Patricia Pinch (1929 – 2019) was born in Barry on the 16th May 1929 to George and Iris Follett. She had an older brother, Eric, and younger sister, Jean. Pat left Holton Road school aged fifteen and trained as a hairdresser at Raymond’s in Cardiff. Once qualified, she became a mobile hairdresser. Pat married Brian in 1950 and their first home was a top floor flat. Mike was born in 1951. The family moved to Hatch Cottage, where Vicky was born in 1959. Pat started working part-time in shops, locally and in Cardiff. They built a new bungalow in the grounds of Hatch Cottage. Pat spent a lot of time with her grandchildren; Carl, Neil, Jennie, Tom and Emily. She was also a great-grandmother to Joseph, Olivia, Jacob, Evan, Nia, Ella, Evie and Charlie. Pat never got over Brian’s death in 2006. She died on 31st December 2019.

Patricia Vera Barder (2020)

Patricia Vera Barder (1927 – 2020) was born on the 20th December 1927, in Finchley, London to Charles and Dorothy Hyman. She had an elder brother, Neil. At the age of 13, Pat was evacuated to Berkhamsted. She attended Berkhamsted School for Girls, where she enjoyed playing sports including, unusually for the time, cricket. Pat married Robin in 1951. They lived in Northwood where much of their social life revolved around the cricket club. They had three children, Chris was born in 1953, Jenny in 1956 and Tim in 1959. Robin died in 1982. Pat followed cricket, horse racing, tennis and football on the radio and television. She was an independent woman and only stopped driving at the age of 83 and attended Ascot races, aged 90. Pat sustained a broken neck as a result of a fall. Her neck healed but she never fully recovered and died in Burlington Care Home on 28th April 2020, aged 92.

Patrick Clerkin (2019)

Patrick Edward Clerkin (1931-2019) was born in Cavan, in the Republic of Ireland. He grew up on a farm with his mother, stepfather and siblings. His stepfather took him out of school when he was just was six years old to work on the farm. He never went back to school and never learned to read and write. Patrick moved to London in his early 20s. He found employment with Camden Council in their parks and gardens department. He lived in Kentish Town and had an allotment where he grew vegetables. Patrick only went back to Ireland once after leaving but kept in touch with his sister, Margaret, by phone. He was a sociable character and loved helping people, especially his neighbours. When Patrick became less fit, he accepted the help of the Irish centre befrienders service. Patrick started to get dementia and was looked after in his last years by the carers at Maitland Park Villas. He died in Belsize Park, in North London.

Paul Duncan Sanderson (2020)

Born on 24th May 1946, Paul grew up in Chesterfield the eldest of six, often helping to look after his brother, Neil, and sisters Fay, Lori, Dawn and Tracey as his mother Betty, worked as a crane driver. He attended the grammar school and then Huddersfield Polytechnic. He met his future wife Sonja, they were together 49 years and had two daughters, Emma and Tina. Paul worked first at Marconi Space and Defence Systems in Reading and then at the European Space Agency in Darmstadt, West Germany. Returning home, he started his own software company, Videss, from his garage and grew it to employ 60 staff in a northern and southern office. Paul loved music of all sorts and could play a tune on the piano once heard and get a tune out of any instrument. His musicality helped with ballroom dancing and he and Sonja reached the semi-finals of the Closed British Championships at Blackpool. Paul began to suffer from dementia and in February 2019 moved into Crimson Manor Care Home owned by Tina. He died on 17th November 2020.

Paul Grunwell (2018)

Paul Grunwell (1956 – 2018) was born on 28 November, one of two children. He studied at the Bolton Institute of Technology and then went on to work for ITV as a Development Engineer, specialising in HD technology. He later set up his own computer and networking company and then worked as an engineer at Gearhouse. Paul enjoyed cooking, woodworking, and other DIY projects. He married wife Pat in 1980 and they had two daughters, Jennifer and Heather, and two grandchildren.

Paul Jackson (2019)

Paul Ormston Jackson (1956 – 2019) was born in Shotley Bridge to Harold and Elizabeth. He had two older sisters, Mary and Dorothy. He attended Consett Grammar School and then worked as a trainee architectural draughtsman in Corbridge. In 1981 he married Brenda. James was born in 1982 and they moved to Leamington Spa. Paul then went to Warwick University to study Early Modern History. Their second son, Oliver, was born in 1986. Paul graduated in 1987. The family moved back to Consett in 1988 and Paul took on postgraduate study at Sunderland University. Paul homeschooled James and Oliver. Paul and Brenda divorced in 2003 and Paul and the boys continued to live together. Paul’s health deteriorated with a condition called ankylosing spondilitis which gave him chronic back pain and he also developed diabetes. James became his full time carer in 2006. Paul became very ill in 2018, but pulled through only to suffer a brain haemorrhage in February 2019. He died in hospital in Durham.

Paula Varley (2020)

Paula Margaret Varley (1952 – 2020) was born on 16th November 1951 and was adopted when she was four weeks old, by Barbara and Eric Wells. She had a brother, Kevin. Paula grew up by the sea in Westcliff and attended Grammar School, and had a particular talent for English. This led to her work for an advertising agency in London, and in Europe as a translator for a while. Paula also had an artistic skill for drawing accurate portraits of people. Whilst working as a barmaid in London, in about 1980, Paula met Roy Varley, whom she later married in his home town of Norwich. They had three sons, Jack, Thomas, and Sam. Paula became a governor at both Larkman First and Knowland Grove schools. She particularly excelled at supporting children with special needs. Paula battled with both her physical and mental health and suffered the loss of Thomas when he was a small boy. She had one grandson, Ted. Thanks to care from Roy and Sam, Paula was able to remain at home through her illness and died there on 20th February 2020.

Pauline Evans (2018)

Pauline Fiona Evans (1959–2018) was born to parents Anne and John. She had four siblings, Steven, Helen, Nicola and David. Family was really important to her and she delighted in being a doting aunty to all her nieces & nephews. She had two children, Carrie and Nick. In 1999, Pauline moved to Spain with the love of her life, Chris. In Spain she ran her own bar and then set up an apartment rental business, which she ran for the rest of her life. She was a wonderful nanny to her four grandchildren, Betsy, Scarlett, James and Leon. Pauline and Chris married in 2018.

Pauline Gene Wilsdon (2020)

Pauline was born in London on 29th December 1926. When she left school, she took a commercial certificate and found work as a typist and assistant secretary. She then trained as a physiotherapist and worked at Stewarts and Lloyds steel works in Corby before moving to Oxford in 1949 to work for Morris Motors. She met Ray Wilsdon at the tennis club, and they married on 25th August 1951 in Caincross Church, Stroud. They moved to Barton Lane in Headington and both learnt to ride horses and went pony trekking and to Point-to-Point events. Sons Mike (1957) and Tony soon came along. She was a hands-off mum, but that didn’t seem to harm her sons. She and Ray enjoyed opera, fine arts, holidays abroad and in the UK. She was a member of a book club, church recording, historical societies, and the Ashmolean museum. She enjoyed Giffords circus, the ploughing match and in particular beagling – especially the social side, organizing eggy teas for the Dummer Hunt, quizzes, walks and much more. Ray died in December 2015 and Pauline moved to a flat in Whitney where she kept herself busy until she started slowing down towards the end of Christmas 2019.

The tribute to Raymond Wilsdon can be found here

Pauline Williams (2019)

Pauline Evelyn Williams (1941 – 2019) was born on the 28th April 1941 in Cardiff to Charles and Mary Taylor. She had a brother, Robert. She married Ron O’Dare in 1962. The first ten years of married life were spent at her parents’ house and then in caravans. It was during this time that their three boys, Mark, Craig and Shaun, were born. In 1972, the family moved into a house, with a large garden, in St Athan. Pauline had a gregarious personality and was an active member of the local community, including the Young Wives Club and boys’ clubs. She organised the street party for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1976. She also worked several jobs to help provide for the family and was an excellent cook and baker. In 1989, Pauline married Ray Williams and moved to Llanedeyrn, where she worked as a caterer. She was grandmother to Charlotte, Ashleigh and Ryan. Pauline died on 15th June 2019.

Peggy James (2018)

Peggy James (1922-2018) was born Peggy Gower, in Newport. She boarded at the Royal Commercial Traveller’s School in Pinner. She graduated with the British Transport Police in Cardiff in 1948. It was there that Peggy met her future husband Aubrey James. Aubrey left the police to work for British Steel. In 1954 they had their first child, Stephen, and a year later, Huw. In 1965 the family settled in London when Aubrey moved to British Steel headquarters. Peggy took a job with Thomas Cook in Mayfair. In 1974 they moved to Old Hatfield and later, back to Port Talbot. Aubrey took early retirement in 1982 and they moved to Reading. In 1986, Aubrey died suddenly of a heart attack, prompting Peggy to move to Chepstow. She loved theatre, museums and galleries and was a member of the Royal Academy. Peggy’s final home was an assisted living flat in Buntingford.

Peggy Newman (2019)

Peggy (Margaret) Newman (1923 – 2019) was born in Whitechapel, London, and named Margaret Clarke. She was brought up by friends of her natural parents.They moved to Hertfordshire and then to the West Midlands when Peggy was 12. She enlisted in the Land Army at 17, during the Second World War, where she learned farming. Peggy married Les in 1947, whom she’d met at the beginning of the war, and they settled in Canterbury, where Paul was born in 1955. Peggy worked on a local farm until she and Les moved back to the Midlands, settling in Bewdley in 1972. Peggy took up work as a waitress in the Gainsborough House Hotel in Kidderminster. In 1999 they moved to Stilton in Cambridgeshire. Les died in 2010. In 2018 Peggy moved to Kingfisher House Care Home in Newmarket where she died. She had a granddaughter, Stacy, and a great grandson, Oliver.

Percy (Bob) Charles Rush (2020)

Percy Charles Rush, better known as Bob, was born on 28th September 1925 in the East End of London. He had three siblings, Millie, Kitt and Albert. Bob attended Manchester Street School until the age of 14. After a short spell working in a printing factory, he embarked upon a career as a milkman at College Farm. At the age of 17, Bob joined the Army, following the death of his mother. He served in France, Belgium and Egypt as an ambulance driver, as part of the Royal Army Medical Corps. Returning to civilian life, he went back to being a milkman, this time with Express Dairies, where he would work for 49 years. In 1963 Bob married Janet at Islington Registry Office. They moved to Tufnell Park, where they raised six children, Stephen, Jenny, Lyn, Kevin, Lorraine, and Angie. Bob and Janet enjoyed holidays in Spain and liked to cruise. After he retired from Express Dairies, Bob worked for the Meals On Wheels service for many years. He eventually retired at the age of 83. He had many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Bob died on 18th June 2020.

Peter Adams (2017)

Peter Adams (1940 – 2017) was born in South London on 26 May, the fourth of five children. He became a ‘barrow boy’ in the South London markets aged fourteen and ended up with twelve stalls across London. He also owned multiple shops, laundries, a recording studio in Soho, and opened the first West Indian supermarket. Peter was charged with murder in 1965 and served seventeen years. He married first wife Cynthia and they had two children: Lee and Lawrence. He later married Shirley and after their separation he had two further children with his partner Candida: Jessica and Ben.

Peter Collins (2021)

Peter Collins (1940 – 2021) was born in London on 26^th February 1940, the eldest son of Eileen and Patrick Collins.  Peter’s siblings were Anne, Andrew and Michael.  Due to their father being an RAF pilot, the family moved many times, living in Singapore and Hong Kong.  Peter started school, boarding at St Dominic’s and finally at Stowmarket High School.  Peter studied Electronic Engineering at Lewisham Technical College before being apprenticed with Hong Kong Electric.  He moved to Seeboard where he spent most of his working life and later he became a consultant.  Living in Sevenoaks, Peter played rugby for the Old Juddians.  He was Men’s Captain of Sevenoaks Swimming Club and played water polo.  He had a passion for cars, owning an Austen 7 and was an early adopter of technology.  Peter’s interests ranged from genealogy, gardening, to organising Medieval Banquets. Peter was ‘Squire’ of The Royal Borough of Morris Dancers.  He was passionate about folk music, singing at festivals and folk clubs and he made period instruments.  Peter met Maureen at his nineteenth birthday party and they married in 1963.  Peter and Maureen had three children Becky, Mat and Liz and four grandchildren.

Peter Fuller (2019)

Peter Denis Fuller (1924 – 2019) was born in Brentwood to Herbert and Lavinia. He had an older brother, Harry. The family moved to Luton, where Peter joined a firm of chartered accountants. When he was 18, Peter joined the RAF, serving in Burma and India. After the war, Peter returned to the Luton accountants’ office and qualified in 1952. He married Sheila Sinfield in 1950. They were together for sixty years, until Sheila’s death. They had two sons, Richard and Alan. When the boys were young they moved to Harpenden. Peter transferred to the firm’s London office and become manager of its taxation department and then a partner. In 1982 he was elected senior partner. He retired in 1988 and studied for an Open University degree. He worked for the Citizens Advice Bureau for eleven years, serving as Executive Chairman for six years. He also worked with the National Children’s Home in Harpenden. Peter was a grandfather to Adam and Emma.

Peter Richard Ask (2020)

Peter Richard Ask (1946 – 2020) was born in Sheffield on 7th August 1946, to Richard and Kathleen. He had two sisters, Pauline and Julia. They grew up in Wisewood. He preferred hiking and rock-climbing to school and once led a Youth Association expedition. He was also a talented table tennis player, with a place in the Guinness Book of Records for the longest continuous table tennis match. Peter started to train as a chartered accountant, shifting to internal audit before taking a computing degree and passing with first class honours. He became head of the computer department at G R Stein, a subsidiary of the Hepworth Group. He set up his own company, Milden Systems, and travelled extensively, implementing computer systems for various companies across Europe. Peter got married to Jane in 1972. They had two daughters, Jodie and Jaime and four grandchildren, Jacob, Emma, Harry and Felix. In his spare time Peter sang and played folk guitar, as well as being a keen cricketer. Peter then moved to Spain and worked in Pamplona, followed by Carcassonne in France. He and Jane eventually moved back to Yorkshire, where Peter occupied himself with golf and bridge. Despite a terminal diagnosis, Peter’s last few years were full and included writing a novel. He died on 1st October 2020.

Peter Saunders (2020)

Peter Saunders (1926 – 2020) was born on 30th July 1926 in Johannesburg. He spent his early childhood in South Africa. He and his sister, Jane, were sent to boarding school in Kent. Peter completed his schooling at Blundell’s in Devon. He was called up in 1944. As an ex-serviceman, he was able to study Physics and then Architecture at St John’s College, Cambridge. He married Patricia Annesley in 1954, and they had four children: Emma, Justin, Will and Tabitha. After working in private practice in the partnership Gore, Gibberd and Saunders he joined the South-West Regional Hospital Board in the mid-seventies. Peter’s first marriage ended in 1973. He then married Valerie Smith, and they had a son, Tom. They moved to Chiswick. Peter was an avid cyclist throughout his life. After Peter retired, he and Valerie set up a B&B business. After Valerie died in 2010, he took in lodgers, more for the companionship than the rent. Peter had eight grandchildren. He remained in good health, until he died on 6th January 2020.

Peter Smith (2019)

Peter Ignatius Smith (1947–2019) was born in Belfast, the second child of Terry and Bridget. He had a brother, Terry and sisters, Nora and Kathleen. When Peter was eleven, the family moved to Barry. He joined the Army Cadets and later joined the TA. This gave him a life-long interest in the military and military history. He always supported Help for Heroes. When his mother died, Peter went to live with his brother Terry and his wife, Brenda. Peter married his first wife, Julie, when he was 21. They bought a house in Llanbradach which is where Louise and Kate were born. Some years later, the family moved back to Barry. Peter eventually became a tanker driver, a job which he enjoyed. In 1994, and now single, Peter met Carol. That relationship lasted 25 years. They finally married in 2018. Peter never retired and was on sick leave when he died in hospital in Cardiff. Including Carol’s family, Peter was the grandfather of fifteen and the great grandfather of eight.

Peter Start (2019)

Peter John Start (1932 – 2019) was born in Southwark, the second youngest of Charles and Marguerite’s six children. Peter was evacuated during the war, to a farm in Cornwall. When he was back in London, he finished his schooling at St John’s, near Waterloo, becoming the head prefect. He left school at 14, first working in a solicitor’s office, then going into engineering as an apprentice. Peter met Margaret when he was 25. A year later, they were married, the beginning of sixty happy years. He was a keen sportsman – football, cricket, tennis and table tennis, and later took up fishing and golf. Peter continued as an engineer with Laystall Engineering until he was in his mid-40’s, and then went to work in Trading Standards for Southwark Council until he retired at 56. In 1991, Peter and Margaret moved to Surrey. They then moved to Memphis, Tennessee for seven years, from where they travelled all over the States. They came back to England in 2006, and settled in Oxted. They had three children, Daryl, Russell and Melanie plus grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Peter Thorley (2018)

Peter Eric John Thorley (1956-2018) was born in Holbridge, Essex but moved to Suffolk when he was seven years old. He attended Clare secondary school. Peter joined the British Army in 1971, and became a member of The Royal Anglian Regiment and was stationed in West Germany, The Gambia and Northern Ireland. After leaving the army in 1981, Peter joined the South Wales fire service. While in the fire service, Peter met his second wife Julie. They had five children; Jo, Scott, Julian, Olivia and Chelsea. After early retirement from the fire service Peter worked as a carer. He ran marathons in his younger days and enjoyed cycling and walking around the Welsh coastline and the Brecon Beacons.

Peter Weaver (2019)

Peter Weaver (1938 – 2019) was born in Wakefield to Peggy and Bill. He was the eldest of seven children, Michael, Terry, Maureen, Brian, Christine and Gary. Peter left school at fifteen, going into a plumbing apprenticeship at Gillot’s in Wakefield. He spent his National Service with the Royal Engineers, six months of it in Germany. Peter married Joyce when he was 21 and become a dad to Bridget and Andy. He and Joyce were temporary carers at Flanshaw Children’s Home, and foster carers themselves. They separated in the mid 70s and Peter worked hard to look after Bridget and Andy on his own. Peter married Margaret in 1995 and became step-dad to Christopher and Robert. Peter was self-employed for many years but spent the last ten with Wakefield District Council. He was a grandfather and great-grandfather. Peter’s deteriorating health and the loss of Margaret in 2017 necessitated him moving into Carr Gate Nursing Home. He died in Wakefield.

Peter William Hardisty (2021)

Peter William Hardisty (1931 – 2021) was born in Leeds on 29^th June to William and Jessie Hardisty, a younger brother to Molly.  Peter joined the Green Howards, where for seven years he spent time serving in Malaya and in the UK he was stationed on Salisbury Plain.  Peter married June on 7^th June 1954 at St Cyprian’s Church, Harehills.  They had three children Lynne, Janet and David.  Initially living at Wortley, Peter worked in Ossett as a signal engineer and at a local shoddy mill.  Later, working for British Rail, Peter and June moved to Stevenage before returning to Yorkshire after Peter retired, settling in Skelmanthorpe.  Peter’s interests included off-road driving in his Suzuki Jimny, gardening, walking his dogs and genealogy.  He had five grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren

Peter Wisbey (2020)

Peter Richard Wisbey (1950 – 2020) was born on 21st May 1950 to Lilian and Harry. He had two sisters, Sue and Jayne. They grew up in Wood Green. Pete passed the 11 plus and went to the Stationers’ grammar school. He later moved to the London Nautical School. He loved art and was good at it so when he left, he trained as a commercial artist. Pete’s first job was at the Queen’s Theatre, but he soon rented space in a studio just off Regent Street with a group of other artists. He moved into directing photography shoots for advertisements, and progressed to Art Director. Pete subsequently studied cabinet making at the London College of Furniture. He received enough commissions to go full-time. He then did an HND in multimedia which led to a degree, and by the early 2000s he was poised to take up a teaching job. He and his partner, Deborah, had recently had a child, Miles, when she was diagnosed with cancer. Pete became her carer and they decided to marry. Deborah died when Miles was 18 months old, and Pete then became a full-time father. Pete died on 21st March 2020, survived by Miles and Rosey, his partner since 2011.

Philip Sears (2019)

Philip Sears (1946–2019) was born in Birmingham to Herbert and Irene. He had an older brother, David. They moved to Leatherhead when Philip was still young. He went to Kingston Grammar School, where he captained the school swimming team. Philip was a talented musician, guitar player and singer. He performed and worked in folk clubs in his younger years. Philip met Sue while studying at Brighton College of Technology. It was their shared love of folk music that brought them together. They married in 1968. They had various homes around Surrey including one they built from scratch to Philip’s design. Philip and Sue became parents to Matthew in 1971. As well as a successful career as a draughtsman, Philip was as accomplished athlete. This started with his involvement with Dorking Lions Club. He was a participant, coach and marshall in various marathons, triathlons and channel swims. He suffered a heart attack after competing in a Guildford biathlon but recovered to carry on competing. Philip was a grandfather to Claire and Elizabeth. He was living in Surrey at the time of his death.

Phyllis Mansfield (2019)

Phyllis Dorothy Mansfield (1922-2018) Phyll was born Phyllis Dorothy Rice in North London to Alexander and Florence Rice. She had a brother, Alec and a sister, Iris. During WW2 Phyll joined the Communist Party where she met her future husband, Geoffrey Mansfield, for whom she worked as election agent. Their two daughters, Jennifer and Elizabeth, were born in London before they moved to a house on the banks of the River Thames near Staines, in 1958. Having left the Communist Party in 1956, Phyll became a member of The Labour Party and became active in politics. She also volunteered for the WRVS as part of the ‘Meals on Wheels’ team. Phyll had two granddaughters, Sarah and Becky and a great granddaughter, Erin.

Phyllis McDonald (2020)

Phyllis Evelyn McDonald (1929 – 2020) was born in East London on 20th August 1929, the youngest daughter of Edward and Elsie Gunn. She had two elder siblings, Renee and Bob. At the age of 11 she entered West Ham Municipal Secondary School, which became Stratford Grammar School in 1945. Phyllis then earned a degree in languages at Trinity College Dublin, and went on to work as a translator for many years. She married Jim McDonald in 1961 at Shoreditch Register office and moved to Langney near Eastbourne. She was a member of the Communist Party for many years and a generous donor to a number of organisations. Phyllis was an independent woman but, after a fall in 2019, she moved into Inglewood Nursing Home. Her health continued to deteriorate and she died on 3rd March 2020.

Phyllis Parry (2020)

Phyllis Parry (1926 – 2020) was born in Leeds on 17th August 1926, the only child of Percy and Florence Diamond. When Phyllis was two, her family moved to London where she lived with her mum and three maiden aunts. She attended Camden School for Girls and during the war, was evacuated to Lincolnshire. When she returned to London, Phyllis took her Civil Service exams and began work in local government. She volunteered at the Australian Boomerang Club and received a certificate of thanks from the Australian Government for her contribution. She married Pip in 1949 and moved to Reading where Pip was to lecture at the University. Gillian was born in 1951, Tim in 1956 and Andy in 1959. Phyllis did voluntary work for charity and became a grandmother in 1981. After Pip died, symptoms of Alzheimer’s started to show and eventually she went into care at Parklands, where she died on the 31st of March, aged 93.

Prudence (Pru) Mary Stephanie Winder (2021)

Pru was born in Cudworth near Barnsley, one of four children. Her siblings were Mick, Sue and Hilary. Their father worked for the Coal Board and their mother was a teacher. Pru attended the local convent school followed by Notre Dame Catholic Girls Grammar school in Leeds. In 1964, after art school, she studied for a degree in English Literature and Education at York University which led to a teaching career in further education, and later prison education. She had met Alan while at art school and they married while at university, setting up home in the village of Naburn. They then lived in Greece for a time before returning to Yorkshire and had two daughters, Selina and Georgina. Alan died while the girls were away at school. Once they had grown up, Pru returned to Greece to teach English as a foreign language. In retirement she was able to indulge her passion for art and became an active campaigner in her local community. She also enjoyed time with her grandchildren, Mark and Juliet.

Ralph Martin (2017)

Ralph Trevor Martin (1947-2017) was born in St Albans to Blanche Kirkman and Reginald Martin. He had a sister, Josie. As a young man Ralph was very practical. He even built his own hovercraft and wired a friend’s house. He taught woodwork for a year, after which he had several electrical and engineering jobs before he settled down as a technical manager for an electrical company for over 20 years. He retrained as an upholsterer and started a successful business with his new skills. Ralph was married to Irene for 42 years and in whose arms he died two years after being diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Ralph Southard (2019)

Ralph Earnest Southard (1927-2019) was born into the family of Hilda and Frank Southard, a younger brother to Frank. It was a close family with many relatives living nearby. Ralph was raised in Southampton and remembered the German bombers over Southampton during the war. At the age of fourteen, Ralph joined Whites, a yacht-building company, as an apprentice joiner. He had over twenty five jobs before retiring. Ralph and Myra were married for sixty-six years and had two children, Roger and Wendy. He was a Freemason, keen golfer and artist and a life-long Southampton FC supporter. Ralph had two grandchildren, Terry and Niky.

Ray Beresford (2019)

Ray Beresford (1933 – 2019) was born in Long Eaton, Derbyshire to Elsie and Albert. He had two older siblings, Eugene and Madge and Johnny Walker, an orphan taken in by Ray’s parents, became a lifelong friend, more like a brother. After a short apprenticeship as an electrician, Ray worked at the Royal Crown Derby factory. After marrying, Ray moved to West Hallam where his two daughters Karen and Gail were born. Ray’s last job in Derbyshire was at the British Celanese factory. In the early seventies, Ray, with Gail moved to Gosport to live with his parents and to be near Karen. Ray got a position with the Department of Environment where he worked for nearly twenty years. In 1976 Ray moved to a flat in Harbour Towers. It was here he met Heather whom he married 3 months later. Later that year Ray and Heather bought a house in Queen’s Crescent which they extended themselves and Ray finished off, using his carpentry skills to build fitted furniture. Ray was an enthusiastic cook, baker and brewer. Ray and Heather enjoyed many holidays, especially those in Greece. Ray was a grandfather to Lorne, Lianne and Luke. Ray was proud of being one of Terry Wogan’s ‘TOGs’ and he was always up for playing one of his little tricks or practical jokes on his family and friends.

Raymond Edwin Wilsdon (2015)

Ray was born in East Oxford to Alice and Frank Wilsdon on 25th June 1921, ten minutes ahead of his twin brother Cyril.  The twins had an older brother, Kenneth and a younger sister, Nancy. They all attended Southfield Grammar School. Their father died suddenly when they Ray was 10, and his grocery business failed, which put an end to Ray’s hopes of becoming an architect or a farmer. He left school at 14 and became a draughtsman for Pressed Steel. During WWI he worked on aircraft components, a reserved occupation, which meant he was unable to join the RAF as he would have liked, and as Cyril was able to do. After the War, Ray designed refrigerators, then returned to car production for about ten years before being made a finance and administration manager in the purchasing department of Pressed Steel Fisher, where he remained till retirement. He was a keen sportsman and enjoyed the countryside.

Ray married Pauline Milford on 25th August 1951 in Stroud and set up home in Barton Lane, Headington, where they stayed. His first of two sons, Mike, was born in 1957, followed by Tony. The couple enjoyed pony trekking and point to point, and later discovered beagling. Ray became Treasurer of the Dummer Beagles and enjoyed social activities up to his 90th birthday. He was also very active in the local conservation group, Friends of Old Headington, for whom he served as Treasurer and later Vice-President, and he also became Treasurer of the Parish Hall.

The tribute to Pauline Wilsdon can be found here

Raymond Lyon (2019)

Raymond John Lyon (1933 – 2019) was born on 19th July 1933, to Vera and John. His early years were spent growing up in Croydon, with his younger sister Yvonne. He was evacuated to Brighton and then to Wales during the war. He was required to work hard on a farm, and his education was disrupted. His first “proper” job was working on a building site. He also did factory work at Payne’s Chocolate Factory and Thornton’s in Croydon. He spent time working as a security guard at a shopping centre in Croydon, but his main role, where he seemed to find his niche, was working for twenty one years as a porter at the Queen Mary’s Hospital for Children. Ray had three marriages and six children, Simon, Anthony, Teresa, Nick, Kerry, and Richard. He also fostered children. Ray and Jennifer left Croydon to spend their retirement in Lyng, Norfolk. It wasn’t retirement in the strict sense of the word because Richard was still only eight years old and Ray was still very much a parent. Ray continued to keep busy by doing gardening jobs for neighbours and tending his own garden. Ray’s health declined in later years and so he lived with Richard for the last eighteen months of his life. He died peacefully at the Norfolk & Norwich Hospital on 5th November 2019, leaving behind his children, grandchildren, and a great grandchild.

Raymond Ward (2018)

Raymond Alexander Ward (1924-2018) Ray was born in Lewisham, the only son of George Sopp. He later changed his name to Ward. He got a scholarship to Beckenham Grammar but left school at 16 and became a clerk. During the war he was assigned to teaching radar. After a successful career he became a Reader in Operational Research and Statistics at Thames Polytechnic where he taught until he retired. Ray and Hazel had three children, Mary, Mike and Tom. In retirement Ray and Hazel carried on a business distributing software for crematoria. After Hazel’s death, he met Jean, who was his partner to the end, and with whom he published two books. He had a great sense of humour and was

Reg Lawson (2020)

Reg Lawson (1936 – 2019) was born on 17th August 1936, to Jenny and Arthur. He had two older sisters, Barbara and Dorothy. Arthur died when Reg was only a few years old, and Jenny brought the children up on her own for a number of years. At school, Reg was a keen rugby player, playing for the school team and also Headingley Juniors. He never lost his passion for the sport, and followed Leeds Rhinos all his life. When he was 18, Reg joined the army and served three years in the Royal Engineers, spending much of his time in Germany. Reg married his childhood sweetheart, June, in 1959. They had five children together, Garry, Diane, Graham, Kevin and Sandra. Reg was a sheet metal worker, spending twenty years at Oliver Douglas. He was not a big traveller, preferring to play darts and dominoes at his local pub. The exception was his annual trip to London for the Rugby Challenge Cup Final at Wembley. Reg was a grandad to Martin, Kelly, Katie, Matt, Nicola, Linzie, Sam, Charlotte, Rebecca and Sarah, as well as having 19 great-grandchildren. He died on 20th December 2019.

Reginald Beckington (2018)

Reginald Gordon Joseph Beckington (1928-2018) was born in Risca, Wales, to Thomas and Winifred and had three siblings John, Lillian and Winnie. His father died when he was very young. He did his National Service in the Navy and then ran the NAAFI in Port Said. Reg returned home and worked in the family shop before working at the Rover Car works where he met Martha. They were married in 1956. Reg adopted Martha’s daughters, Sheila, Patricia and Maria and later had their own daughter, Pauline. From 1976, Reg did maintenance work at Llanederyn High School and for Brains Brewers. Reg cared for Martha when she got dementia until she died in 2002.

Richard Godwin (2020)

Richard Ian Godwin, Richard, was born on 6th November 1968 and grew up in the quiet Oxfordshire parish of Ducklington where his father Ian was a builder and his mother Anne worked in the village shop. He and his younger brother Peter attended local schools. Richard joined his father in the construction business, specialising in ground works and they grew very close. Forced by illness to leave building work, and prevented from joining the Police Force by his eyesight, Richard joined the Post Office, becoming an old school, ‘pillar of the community’ postie in Aston for over 20 years where he was appreciated and liked by everyone, especially the local dogs, for whom he always carried treats. At the West Witney Sports and Social Club he met Amanda and became ‘dad’ to her three year old daughter Casey. They had many happy holidays together in Cyprus but there were also difficult times when Richard suffered a prolonged period of mental health problems. He and Amanda decided to separate for a while but they all continued to care for each other as a family. They grew close again in early 2019, before Richard had heart problems and surgery and were married in the Dominican Republic in November 2019. Planned travels were made impossible by the Covid pandemic and instead Richard enjoyed the pleasures of being at home. He had been back at work for just a week before he died on 12th August 2020.

Richard John Maltby (2021)

Richard John Maltby (1964 – 2020) was born on 2nd December 1964. He grew up in York with his mum Pat, dad Brian and sister Sarah. Richard trained as a stonemason. His work took him around the UK and at the age of 19 he moved to Cornwall and joined English Heritage. He returned to York and worked as a furnaceman until redundancy in 1991. He then became a postman until he took early retirement in 2015. He met his partner, Debbie in 1990. They shared a passion for motorbikes, outdoor life and folk music. Richard was a skilled motorcycle mechanic, servicing and repairing his own and other people’s bikes. He biked and walked through South America, New Zealand and the Arctic as well as adventuring closer to home in the UK and Europe. Richard and Debbie married in York in March 2020 but he was already unwell and died on 29th December 2020.

Rita Lucas (2019)

Rita Joyce Lucas (1926 – 2019) was born in Portsmouth to Evalina and James Williams. She had an older brother Norman, and an older sister Marion. At the start of the war, Rita was evacuated to Winchester. When her family relocated to Shinfield near Reading, Rita joined them leaving school at the age of fourteen to work in the War Office. Rita married Harold Lucas in 1950 and set up home in Whitley Wood where her two children Derek and Avril were born. Rita was successful in winning many competitions including winning two seats on the flight in March 1991 to commemorate Concorde’s Maiden Flight. Rita and Harold moved from Reading to Apperley near Tewkesbury and settled into village life. Rita was renowned for her poetry, excellent cake making and hospitality, welcoming family and friends to stay at every opportunity. After Harold died Rita continued to visit the RAF Association Flowerdown House through which she had an opportunity to go to one of the Queen’s Garden Parties at Buckingham Palace. Rita had one grandchild Leo.

Rita May Woodham (2021)

Rita May Woodham (1933 – 2021) was born on 3rd February 1933 in Slough and lived there all her life. Her parents were William and Winifred Edwards, and she had an older sister, Jean. She went to James Elliman School, after which she worked for Eton Rural District Council. Rita married Ray Woodham in 1952 at St Paul’s Church. They had four children, Lyn, Susan, Martin and Trevor. She had 8 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Rita didn’t care for domestic chores but she was an enthusiastic cook and baker. She adored animals and had a varied collection of pets over the years. She loved listening to music, listening to the radio and watching television. Rita was ill for some time before she died on 2nd February 2021.

Rita Smith (2019)

Rita Ann Smith (1944–2019) was born in Kingston to Mary and Ernest. She grew up with sister Ina and brother Jim, in Godstone and went to school in Oxted. Rita married Alan in 1965. Maria was born a couple of years later, and Carl a couple of years after that. They lived in Surrey until taking over The Man of Kent pub in Sevenoaks, Kent. They soon moved on to Tandridge Golf Club, before finally settling in Oxted. Most of Rita’s working life was spent either book-keeping or working in hospitals, first as an auxiliary nurse, then in housekeeping and catering. Among Rita’s interests were meditation and creative writing. She also loved knitting and was an impressive seamstress. Above all she loved entertaining her four grandchildren, James, Daisy, Thomas & Oliver.

Robert ‘Bob’ Gaskell (2020)

Robert ‘Bob’ Gaskell was born in Pontefract on 30th September 1943, to Joseph and Minnie. He grew up there with his siblings, Eric, Rita and Peter. Their mother died when Bob was seven years old. At the age of 15 he went to work at the Prince of Wales Colliery, where he spent several years down the mine. Bob married Margaret on 29th December 1962 and they set up home in Willow Park. Bob and Margaret had three children, Kevin, David and Maureen. He worked on the railway, in manufacturing and on a pig farm before he settled at Kings Mills as a flour-miller. He also became a union representative. His social life often involved a drink at the Willow Park Club. He loved his Yorkshire Terriers and kept chickens, pigs and a goat on his allotment. Bob was a DIY enthusiast and enjoyed tinkering with cars.

Poor health forced Bob to retire early but this enabled him to spend time with his five grandchildren, Matthew, Adam, Emily, Scott and Courtney. He also had nine great grandchildren. His health deteriorated further during his last couple of years, particularly after the death of his son, Kevin. With Margaret looking after him, he was able to stay at home, but eventually he moved to Victoria Homecare. Bob died on 4th August 2020.

Robert (Bob) Andrew Wilson (2020)

Bob was born on 31 May 1943 in Hamilton on the shores of Lake Rotoroa on the North Island of New Zealand. With his older brother Neal and younger sister Jan, Bob enjoyed being outdoors and was fascinated by nature.  Through his interest in collecting fossils, making bone studies of dead animals and studying plants he became interested in zoology and botany.  Bob went to Auckland University and completed his B.Sc. at Victoria University. He then taught for a year at Methven High School. After travelling in Europe Bob ended up in Oxford. By this time Bob had discovered archaeology, which was to become his career. In 1974 Bob joined the Oxford Archaeological Unit and continued at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History until his retirement. He was an innovative archaeozoologist and wrote a book: ‘Spatial Patterning among Animal Bones in Settlement Archaeology’. A volume he edited on the sexing and ageing of domestic animals from their bones, continues to be an important reference work. Bob lived an independent and simple life, read widely and did not use computers or even have a phone until he started chemotherapy in 2018.  Bob was diagnosed with Leukaemia in 2014 and by 2019 his health was deteriorating badly but he still enjoyed his walks.

Robert (Bob) Desmond Luck (2021)

Robert Desmond Luck, known as Bob, was born in Caterham, Surrey to Gwen and Desmond Luck on 6^th August 1942, the eldest of four children. He attended Caterham Hill School before joining Peugeot cars as a mechanic at the age of fifteen. Bob transferred his mechanical skills to the aeronautical industry working for a number of companies including Hawker Sidley and Dan Air, before moving to Singapore Airlines where he worked on Boeing 707s and 747s.  Returning to the UK, Bob worked for British Caledonian which became British Airways, where he worked until he retired.

A keen sportsman, Bob played rugby for Haywards Heath. While living in Singapore Bob took up running which he continued for 40 years, encouraging his family and friends to join in.  He ran marathons in London, New York, Jersey and Helsinki and ran Team South Down relays for Brighton Hash. In his late 40’s Bob started competing for Great Britain in duathlons and triathlons, winning a bronze medal in the long-distance World Championships. Bob’s other loves were motorbikes – he first owned a Gold Star, followed by Ducatis, amongst others, and cars, building his own Midas and attending motor racing at Brands Hatch, Silverstone and Monaco.

Bob married Sheila in 1965 and they had two children, Helen and Ivan, and five grandchildren. His last seven years were spent happily with his partner Christine, with whom he indulged another interest – constructing a miniature railway in the back garden.

Robert (Bob) Douglas Williams (2022)

Robert (Bob) Douglas Williams (1950 – 2022) was born on 24^th May 1950 and grew up in Australia and as a ‘hippie’ travelled to Indonesia.  He was married to Suzy and had two children Sam and Allys and grandchildren who knew him as ‘Dodo’.  His interests included motor bikes and steam engines, photography, bird watching, cooking and a wide range of music.  An avid traveller, Bob took his family to learn about faraway places from Orkney to Darwin, Hong Kong to the Welsh Borders.

Robert Edward Holroyd (2020)

Robert Edward Holroyd (1931 – 2020) was born on 6th January 1938, to Gladys and Ratcliffe. He grew up in Elland with his younger sister, Irene. As a boy, he was a keen sportsman and maintained his passion throughout his life. After leaving school, Robert worked at David Brown’s Gears. He gained an HNC at night school and moved from the shop floor, through the drawing office to become divisional managing director. Robert played football for several clubs, including Halifax Town. From the age of 14 he played cricket for Elland, moving through a number of clubs before becoming chairman at Blackley. Robert assisted his team to victory in the Sykes Cup on at least five occasions. He also played the euphonium in a local youth band for several years, which took him all over the UK and to Germany. Robert married Joyce in 1958. They were married for 61 years and had three sons, David, John and Stuart. After forty years at David Brown Gears, he left and worked as a consultant for the British Gear Association for a few years before retiring completely. When Robert’s cricketing career was over, he took up golf, and was a member of Halifax Bradley Hall Golf Club for over twenty years, becoming captain in 2004. Robert was grandfather to Thomas, Emily, Helen, Sarah and Samuel. He died on 31 January 2020.

The tribute to Joyce Holroyd can be found here

Robert Leeves (2019)

Robert Frank Leeves (1938–2019) was born in Peacehaven, the eldest of Alice and Maurice Leeves’ four children. When he left school, Robert got a job with an electrician, repairing radios and televisions. Married life with Susan started in a rented semi-derelict house in Newhaven, but they moved to Australia to join Robert’s brother, Rodney. They bought a house and had their daughter, Nadia. They moved back to England in 1975 and bought a house in Telescombe, followed by a series of houses to renovate and sell-on. In 2001, Robert retired, and he and Susan moved to Spain. When Robert began to have health problems, they moved home to England to be near to family, and the NHS. Despite health problems in later life he remained active and engaged with life until he had a stroke. Robert died in Eastbourne.

Robert Onions (2015)

Robert ‘Bob’ Onions (1946-2015) was born to Hedley and Evelyn in South Wales, younger brother to Peter and Richard. Bob attended Grammar school in Cowbridge and then went to Birmingham University where he read Law, eventually joining the Civil Service in London. In the 1970s he moved to Hong Kong on secondment to the Hong Kong Government. Soon after Bob’s return to England, he met Joanna. This meeting was the beginning of a thirty-eight year love affair. The couple moved to their beloved Gozo in 1997. They married in July 2014 after Bob’s cancer diagnosis.

Robert Soper (2018)

Robert John Soper (1956-2018) was the middle child of Joyce and John Soper. From the age of five there were signs of ill health. He was treated for for cerebral palsy at the age of eight and at the age of 20, Robert was diagnosed with Ataxia-telangiectasia. This would affect his movement, speech and swallowing. There was no effective treatment available. Despite this, he remained engaged with the world around him and never complained. As a teenager, Robert boarded at Thomas Delarue school in Tonbridge. He then moved back home but later lived in a flat with the help of carers. He enjoyed holidays abroad, bowling and sailing. As he became less mobile, Robert used his computer to access the wider world. When he died, aged 62, Robert was almost certainly the longest-lived person with the condition in the world.

Robin Neil Hannay (2021)

Robin Neil Hannay (1933 – 2021) as a child lived in Derby with his sisters Pam and Wizz.  He went to Bemrose Grammar School.  Robin left home to start a student engineering apprenticeship at Guy Motors, Wolverhampton.  In August 1960 Robin married Jean.  Their first house was in Fordhouses, Wolverhampton, before they moved to Wheaton Aston.  Following a promotion with AEC, Robin and Jean moved to Cheshire in 1968.  From his childhood, Robin had been fascinated by buses and this became a lifelong hobby.  He travelled around the UK collecting bus chassis numbers, books, magazines, models and taking photographs.  Robin was a member of the Omnibus Society, the Public Service Vehicle (PSV) Circle, the Historic Commercial Vehicle Society and the Model Bus Federation from its inception.  He attended the Autumn Commercial Motor Show for sixty years.  Robin published four books on the history of AEC, Dennis and Guy Motors.  Robin and Jean had two children, Mike and Claire and three grandchildren.

Rodney Birks (2019)

Rodney John Birks (1944 – 2019) was born on 14th March 1944 at Stratford Hospital, London, to Elsie and Alf. He had an older brother, Geoff. He grew up in Leytonstone. After school and technical college, he got a four year apprenticeship with Ford and qualified as an engineer. He had many roles within the firm including union representative. As a young man he enjoyed rally driving with his brother Geoff. His passion for cars, scooters and motorbikes remained throughout his life. Rod had three children with his first wife, whom he divorced in the mid 80s. He met Judy, whom he married in 1990 and moved to Westcliff. They bought a second home on the Norfolk Broads, where he developed an interest in boats. Rod joined the committee of The River Thurn Tenants Association. In 1995 he had a heart valve operation and subsequently a stroke. He became an active member of The Stroke Association, supporting other sufferers. He was also active in a number of other associations including the Labour Party, Ramblers Association, Jaguar and Harley Davidson Owners clubs, and local poetry and film clubs. He was also a fan of rugby and jazz. Rod had a grandson, Ryan. He died on 4th November 2019.

Roger Locke (2018)

Roger Malcolm Locke (1945 – 2018) was born in Yorkshire to Hilda and Alf. He grew up in Shelley with his sisters, Hilary and Gillian, and his brothers, John and Andrew. Not keen on school, Roger preferred hunting and later owned and trained gun-dogs. He was a keen sportsman and played football for Shelley FC. His father died when Roger was 17 and he stepped up as man of the house. Most of his working life was spent at Hey Royds Colliery. Roger married Anne in 1976. They had three children, Martin, Helen and Clare. Being a handy and resourceful man, he renovated the family home, Wheatley Hill Lodge. Roger was a vintage tractor enthusiast but his main passion was his family. Roger made friends easily and was a well known member of the local community.

Roger Woods (2020)

Dr Roger Paul Woods (1948 – 2020) was born in Winchmore Hill, London, on 30th December 1948. He was the only child of Rose and Henry Woods. Roger completed a degree at University College London in Anthropology and Linguistics. He worked for Camden Social Services and gained a Masters in Social Policy, achieving a distinction. In 1992 Roger met his life-partner, Liz Webb. He then lectured at Luton University, where he became Head of Department and a Senior Manager. He took redundancy in 2005. His next role was with Aimhigher, promoting further education to minority groups. He worked as a research consultant until his retirement to Wells-next-the-Sea. In retirement, Roger completed an MA in History and completed his PhD which was awarded posthumously. Roger was a self-taught cook, a knowledgeable bird-watcher and a committed environmentalist. He died on 28th February 2020.

Ronald Delwyn O’Dare (2018)

Ronald O’Dare (1937 – 2018) was born in Cardiff on 28 August, one of seven children. After leaving school, he worked on deep sea trawlers and then joined the Merchant Navy. Ronald loved the outdoors and enjoyed camping. He married Pauline in 1962 and they had three sons: Mark, Craig, and Shaun. They later separated in 1986.

Ronald Furley (2017)

Ronald Furley (1937 – 2017) was born on 23 October in Nottingham, an only child. He began working in Boots as a Trainee in the Special Labs, making prescriptions, before changing career to become a Jeweller. He specialised in clock and watch repairs and had extensive knowledge of gems. Ronald also served in the army as part of the 3rd Kings Own Hussars. He married his wife Dorothy in 1959 and they had three children, Nett, Mark, and Carl, and four grandchildren. Depositor: Nett Furley (Ronald’s daughter).

Ronald Wilson (2021)

Ronald Wilson (1948 – 2021) was born in the village of Shilton near Burford on 30th September 1948 to Joan and Isaac. He had two older siblings, Les and Patricia. Ron attended the village school in Hailey and then Wood Green secondary school. He married Margrit in 1968. He was made redundant from his factory job in the late 1970s and retrained as an HGV driver. Ron enjoyed taking part in many sports, he was a great cook, handyman and gardener. He loved theatre, particularly musicals. Ron survived cancer twice in the 1980s but it returned in 2013 and his chances of survival were low but he battled on, with the help of MacMillan Cancer Support. He died at home on 8th Feb 2021.

Roy Davidson (2017)

Roy Davidson (1932 – 2017) was born on 8 April in Liverpool, the eldest of three children. He worked firstly as a cowhand after leaving school and then in a variety of factory jobs. Roy helped set up a number of sports clubs in Didcot and was a keen cyclist. Roy married his wife Beryl in 1963 and they had two children, Jonathan and Sylvia, and four grandchildren.

Roy Stead (2019)

Roy Stead (1941 – 2019) was born on 3rd June 1941, to Emily and Willy. He grew up in Bradley with his big sister, Kathleen, and his brothers, Leonard, Brian and Reuben. His mother died when he was still young and Roy went to live with Kathleen and her husband. He worked as an engineer for various local engineering firms, retiring at the age of 60. Roy married Brenda, with whom he had two boys, Darren and Jonathan. They lived first in Netherton, then in Almondbury. Roy loved sport, was a keen cricket player himself and supported his sons in their sporting interests. Roy and Brenda divorced in 1981, and a couple of years later he met Peggy. They married in 1986, Roy becoming step-dad to Michael, and he and Peggy had many happy times playing crown green bowls, walking in the Lakes or going for a drive out with a flask and sandwiches. Roy was a member of Honley Male Voice Choir for 21 years, singing with them at Wembley, at Twickenham, and at the Albert Hall, and when they won the National Championship. He was a proud grandad to Danielle, Hannah, Jodie, Harry, Martin and Steven, as well as a great-grandad. Roy and Peggy moved to Newsome in 1995 and took great care of each other, until Peggy’s death in 2018. Roy died on 30th October 2019.

Ruth ‘Barbara’ Handley (2018)

Ruth ‘Barbara’ Handley (1930-2018) Barbara, as she was always known, was born in Oadby, Leicestershire, on 19 March 1930 to Reginald and Edith Tunnicliffe. She had one brother Reg, who predeceased her. Educated at Blackpool Collegiate School for Girls, she entered Sheffield University to read French and English, and in 1949 met Graham. They married in 1951, and had three children Roland, Rosamund and Elaine. Rosamund died aged three in 1963. From 1959 to 1997 the family lived at an old farmhouse in Crews Hill, keeping dogs, cats, a donkey, goats and a pony during this period, and making wine, gardening, reading, and entertaining. Barbara swam for charity, was a keen vegetarian, made vast amounts of jam, and delighted in music and most forms of sport. When she and Graham moved to Cheshunt in 1997 the same rewarding and stimulating way of life continued for some years, cut short somewhat by her bravely cheerful fight against cancer. She was much loved for her kindness, humour, tolerance and natural sociability.

Ruth Fell (2019)

Ruth Margaret Fell (1943–2019) was born in Ton Pentre to Oliver and Margaret Jones. She had four siblings, Joan, Brian, Alan and Philip. She won a place at Pentre Grammar and could have gone to university. But instead, at sixteen she started a pre-nursing course at Llwynypia college. In 1961 she gained a place at the Cardiff Royal Infirmary to train as a nurse. She qualified in 1964 and continued to work as a staff nurse at the CRI until she went to Pontypridd Cottage Hospital as a night sister. Then, in 1969, she went to East Glamorgan as a sister. She met her husband John Fell toward the end of the sixties. Jonathan was born in 1973. The marriage was not a success and they were divorced in 1975, after which Ruth and Jonathan moved with her Mum and Philip to Penrhys. In 2002 Ruth reluctantly retired. She went to Spanish classes and bought a caravan in Aberporth. Ruth became a grandma to Oliver in 2009. Ruth developed throat cancer in 2014. She died peacefully at home in south Wales.

Ruth Gibson (2014)

Ruth Gibson (1929 – 2014) was born Ruth Brooks on 25 October in Biddulph Moor in North Staffordshire, the eldest of two children. She had to leave school at fourteen and went to work in Lewis’s as a clerk in the finance department. Ruth began to train as a nurse but had to leave to get married. Once her children had grown up, she returned to nursing and ran the eye clinic at the Clatterbridge Hospital. She married husband Trevor in 1950 and they remained together until his death in 2000. They had two children: Betty and Margaret.

Sharon Berry (2019)

Sharon Louise Berry (1971 – 2019) was born to Val and Rod at Hillingdon Hospital. She grew up in Hazlemere, Buckinghamshire, where she met her lifelong friend, Michelle. At 16, she left school to start work at a local estate agent. Sharon moved to Princes Risborough at 21, where she lived with Michelle. Sharon later joined Brown’s Solicitors, specialising in conveyancing work. During the 2000s, Sharon had two children, Emily and Alfie, with her first husband, Toby. In 2011, she met Shaun, whom she married in 2018. Sharon spent the last few weeks of her life at the Florence Nightingale Hospice in Stoke Mandeville, where she died on 23 July 2019.

Sheila Ann Sowter (2018)

Sheila Sowter (1936-2018) was born on 7 August in Derby. She was an only child after an older sibling died in infancy. After growing up in Essex, Sheila won a place at Cambridge University where she completed a degree in natural sciences. She went on to gain a mathematics degree from the Open University and she became a lecturer in geology, earth sciences, mathematics as well as in teacher training. In 1976, Sheila gave birth to Connie and became a single mother. Sheila had a vast array of interests. She enjoyed travelling, alone as well as with Connie, she was multilingual, and she had a deep love for opera, especially Wagner. She was also a member of MENSA. Sheila died on 6 April 2018, aged 81.

Shirley Borsberry (2018)

Shirley Joy Borsberry (1953-2018) Daughter of Joyce and Eric. Sister to Jean and Diane. Former wife to Spencer. Wife to David. Mother of David and Paul. Step mother to Vicki and Lee. Aunt to Marcus, Rachael, Adam and James. Grandmother to twins Amber and Rowan, to Myles and Taylor, and to Billy and George. Shirley was born and raised around Banbury. After her first marriage, she lived in the Midlands. She moved to Sunderland and married her second husband, David, in 1988. Shirley then earned a degree and taught maths to children with special needs and became a Teacher Governor. In 2008 they moved back to Banbury.

Shirley Simmonds (2018)

Shirley Simmonds (1936-2018) was born on 18 May 1936 and grew up in Thongsbridge. After leaving school she trained as a teacher at Goldsmith’s College, London and whilst there she developed a love of the theatre which drew her back to London many times. As well as working as a teacher she volunteered for a number of charities including the Samaritans and Friend to Friend. Shirley loved travelling and visited a great many places including most of Europe and much of Asia and Africa. Shirley died on 29 May 2018, aged 82.

Simon Byles (2018)

Simon Byles (1998 – 2018) was born in May 1998, the third of four children. He began an apprenticeship training to become a mechanic and then, after he left the apprenticeship, worked at an Argos Distribution Centre. He loved music, fixing cars, and spending time with his friends and family.

Simon Hilditch (2019)

Simon John Hilditch (1957 – 2019) was born on 14th January 1957 in Oldham, Lancashire, to parents Eric and Trudi. The stand-out aspect of Simon’s personality was his quick wit and sense of humour. This was despite his diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, which came only a year after he and his wife Maureen moved to their new home in Somerset in which they had envisaged an active and happy retirement together. Simon had previously enjoyed a career in the Merchant Navy. He loved the sea and he loved boats. Simon loved music, and jazz in particular, and he played the piano. He was a proud Lancastrian by birth. Simon died 18th August 2019.

Simon Major (2018)

Simon William Major (1946 – 2018) Son of William and Olga. Brother to Veronica. Husband to Jan. Father of Katia, Laura, Sam and Bethany. Uncle to Joanna, Tom, Sharon and Simon. Great Uncle to Georgia and Mia. Simon was born in Nottingham. He lectured in Social Studies at Walsall and Staffordshire College. He was a lifelong keen fisherman with a passion for politics, the Labour Party and campaigning for social justice. Simon was a founder member and Company Secretary of Caldmore Housing Association and a community worker in West Midlands, establishing a refuge for vulnerable Asian women. He was a radio producer, editor and training and development guru for the BBC and Chairman of Governors of Basildon Primary School.

Stephanie (Steph) Jane Rowley (2021)

Stephanie (Steph) Jane Rowley (1967 – 2021) was the youngest sister of Ray, Carol and Donna.  Working for many years in banking, Steph took a part-time degree in Psychology and volunteered at Wakefield Prison.  Following her Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology Steph spent ten years in this field, initially focussing on the risks of long-term prisoners reoffending.  Her life’s purpose developed into how young offenders could be given a better chance to change their behaviours and achieve better outcomes in their lives.  Steph loved all the Arts, poetry and music.  At an AC/DC tribute gig she met Francis.

Stephen Burton (2020)

Stephen Robert Lloyd Burton (1956 – 2020) was born Stephen Peacock on 13 September 1956, in Kings Lynn. He lived there with his mother, Crystal, and his grandparents until he was seven. His mother married George Burton, who adopted Steve. They moved to Downham Market where Steve’s half-brother, Howard, was born. Steve completed an engineering apprenticeship and then spent some time working in Belgium and France. On his return to the UK, he went to work for British Sugar at its plant in Wissington. Steve worked for the company for 38 years. Steve met Lavinia in the late 1980s at a dance in Swaffham, and married her at Thetford Registry Office in 1994. They had a daughter, Zoë, in 1998. Steve loved history and particularly the Second World War. One of his favourite places was the Imperial War Museum at Duxford. Steve was a fan of Formula One – he was a race marshal at Snetterton and Donnington. Lavinia discovered that Steve’s biological father had a family in America. Steve, Lavinia, and Zoë went to Alabama to meet his siblings, Virginia, Valerie, Louie, and Fair, in 2008. After leaving British sugar, he became a driving instructor. Steve faced medical challenges in his last few years and died in his sleep on 22nd January 2020.

Stephen Hazell (2019)

Stephen Hazell (1942 – 2019) was born on 22nd January 1942 in Paignton. He had three older siblings, Maurice, Julian and Judith. When he was still a baby his father was killed in the war and so Stephen was raised by his grandparents. He went to King Edward VI Grammar School in Totnes, where he became head boy. He then went to Merton College, Oxford, to read English. Stephen was awarded a Fulbright Travel Scholarship to do postgraduate research for a year at Rice University in Houston. He returned to London, and met Lynda while he was a supply teacher at Paddington School. They married in June 1966. Later that year, he became Head of English at Hendon College. Stephen and Lynda had two daughters, Kate and Libby. Stephen did his doctorate at UCL. In 1985 he moved to the Central School of Speech and Drama for five years, as deputy director. It was during this time that he and Lynda separated. Stephen met his partner, Usha, and Alya was born in 1989. In 1993, Stephen became Head of Visual and Performing Arts at the National Institute of Education in Singapore. Rohan was born in 1995. In 2007, the family returned to the UK. Stephen became an external examiner in Drama and Communication at the London College of Music, and a governor at Courtyard Theatre Training Company, Shoreditch. Stephen’s health deteriorated in his last six months. He died at home on 10th October 2019.

Stephen Merrett (2018)

Stephen Merrett (1939-2018) was born on 7 June in London’s East End. He was an only child. An exceptionally intelligent boy – after school he joined the RAF but he left after two years. He instead chose to study Philosophy and Economics at Bristol University. He later gained a master’s degree from Oxford University as well as gaining a PhD. Stephen used his economics expertise throughout his life, including a stint at the Ministry of Technology. He later specialised in the economics of housing and wrote a seminal textbook on the subject. He met his wife, Alicia, in Buenos Aires and they were married in England in 1967. She and their daughters were Stephen’s whole world. He had a profound love of nature and enjoyed climbing. Stephen died on 10 April 2018, aged 78.

Stephen Riches (2019)

Stephen Frederick Riches (1958 – 2019) was born in Kent to Ruth and John Riches. He had three older brothers, Robert, David and Colin. In 1960, the family moved to Lound in Lincolnshire, where Stephen went to the local primary school. In 1968 they moved to Ringshall in Suffolk and Stephen attended Stowmarket Grammar School. After school, Stephen went to work at Taylor Barnard, in Mendlesham. Stephen suffered kidney failure at the age of 17. He needed dialysis at Addenbrookes Hospital three times a week until he received a kidney transplant. He left Taylor Barnard in 1980 and went to work at the Co-op Dairy until he retired in 2008. In 1985, Stephen married Marion at Ipswich Registry Office. Stephen was a keen walker and loved to ride motorbikes.

Stephen Robert Ledbetter (2020)

Stephen Robert Ledbetter was born on 5th December 1953 in Birmingham, to Eileen, a housewife, and George who was a supervisor in insurance. Stephen’s brother Andrew was born in 1955 and the family moved to the southern outskirts of Leicester. Stephen went to Wigston Grammar school and on to study Civil Engineering at Dundee University, where he met his wife Anne. They moved to London where Steve followed his career in civil engineering before moving to Bristol to research into dams and earthquakes. Attaining his PhD, he moved to the University of Bath and they moved to High Littleton where Steve served as a Parish Councillor and school governor for the village school. Ralph and Moira were born in the 1970’s and have both gone on to achieve doctorates, in environmental science and chemistry respectively. Stephen was a keen teacher and became the first director of The Centre for Window and Cladding Technology, writing Standards and Guidance documents and developing MSc courses to teach future façade engineers. In semi-retirement, Steve remained active in the village as long as he was able, particularly in setting up the shared ownership of the village shop. Stephen died on 5th August 2020.

Stephen Whitham (2017)

Stephen Witham (1954 – 2017) was born on 23 February, the third of four brothers. He enjoyed motorcycling and loved dogs. Stephen married wife Carol at Witney Register Office and they had two daughters, Shenda and Louise, a son called Steven Junior, and thirteen grandchildren.

Stuart Jones (2018)

Stuart Jones (1966-2018) was born in Maesteg, the only child of Dewi and Gwynneth. He grew up in Nantyffyllon, attending the primary school there. Stuart left school at sixteen and gained his HGV and PSV licences. He lived in Cornwall, a place he loved as a boy, working as a HGV driver. He moved back to Cardiff in 1996, and worked for National Welsh and Bebbs Coaches, driving holiday coaches all over Britain and Europe. In 2010 he got a job driving for Valleys2Coast. His relationships with Katrina and Emily resulted in three children, Ethan, Enzo and Zeta, who he enjoyed taking on holidays to Cornwall. In 2014 Stuart set up home with an old school classmate, Donna.

Stuart Wilson (2018)

Stuart Wilson (1951-2018) was born in Sunderland along with twin brother Ian. The twins were followed by brothers Brian, Andrew and Peter. The family later moved to Leeds. Stuart studied at Falmouth School of Art and Design and graduated with a Fine Arts Degree in Painting. He then took a Postgraduate course at Leeds Polytechnic. Stuart taught art in Cheshire and Yorkshire where he met his partner of 32 years, Noel. The couple moved to London and subsequently Surrey, where Stuart continued to teach, paint and exhibit. Stuart was a gifted artist whose work was often inspired by his travels. He was a member of the Guildford Society of the Arts and formed the Surrey Open Arts Group.

Sudha Young (2020)

Sudha Young was born on 5th November 1935 to Hiralal and Kalavati Topiwala. She was born and raised in Kenya, where her father worked as a GP. She had five younger siblings, Hansa, Mina, Panna, Harshad and Surbhi. After two years in pre-medical school, she was awarded a place at the Grand Medical College in Mumbai at age 18. After qualifying as a doctor, she returned to Kenya to begin work at a hospital in Nairobi, where she met her first husband. They had a son, Yatin, but the marriage ended and Sudha went to study in England, leaving her son with her mother. When Sudha returned to Kenya, she worked at the Coast General Hospital as a Consultant Haematologist. Sudha then met Douglas, whom she married in 1972, creating a family of five, with Douglas’ children, Dianne and Christopher. The family moved to England, where the children were all at boarding schools. She bought a house in New Malden and secured a job at Kingston General Hospital. She also worked at St George’s and St Thomas’ hospitals in London. In 1982 they moved to Horsley in Surrey. Sudha retired from the NHS in 1993 due to a second prolapsed disc. She enjoyed gardening, reading, theatre and travel. She joined the University of the Third Age and became a member of a wine tasting group. In her later years, Sudha developed late onset Bipolar Disorder, and had long periods of depression. She was also diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. She died on 23rd July 2020.

Sue Steward (2017)

Sue Steward (1946 – 2017) was born in Stathern, Leicestershire on 19 September, one of three children. She studied at the University of Liverpool and then began teaching biology. She later switched to the music industry and started out working in the mail order department of Virgin Records before becoming Publicity Officer. In later life, she was a writer, journalist, and DJ with a passionate appreciation for world music. Sue was also interested in photography, becoming photography critic for the London Evening Standard.

Susan Morris (2019)

Susan Jane Morris (1959-2019) was born in North Cheam, the first child of Margaret and Peter Monery. She had two siblings, Dave and Carolyn. Susan went to Langley Park Girl’s School. She left school as soon as she could and after working at the Bank of England, and at the Gas Board, Susan trained as a croupier, working for some time for London Casinos. She settled in Croydon and met Chris whom she soon married. They moved to South Africa for seven years, where she worked for Sun International. Peta was born in Pretoria in 1990. Susan and Peta returned to the UK in 1995, because of the political environment in South Africa. Susan returned to work in London, where she became an inspector and then a supervisor at the Park Tower Casino. Susan was living in Penshurst when she died.

Sydney Buckland (2016)

Sydney Buckland (1917 – 2016) was born on 31 December in Bermondsey, the only son among eight children. Before World War II, he worked as an engineer and then during the war he worked as a tank driver. Afterwards, Sydney made tools for the British Syphon company. He enjoyed playing the guitar, dancing, and travelling. He married wife Vera in 1947 and they had one son, Neil, and three grandchildren.

Sydney Neilson (2019)

Sydney ‘Mick’ Leslie Neilson (1932-2019) was born in Cleethorpes, one of eight children to John and Margaret Neilson. His father died when Mick was eight. Times were hard and he had to leave school early in order to help support the family, starting at the Scunthorpe Steelworks. Mick taught himself Maths and quickly rose to be a foreman. He was intensely practical and mechanically minded. Mick married Pauline in 1955. Steven was born in 1959 and Paul five years later. They bought their own home in Winterton in 1968. After Pauline died in 1989, Mick moved in with Steven and began lecturing at Twickenham College. Mick was a grandfather and great-grandfather. He had a new lease of life when he moved to Eastbourne. He bought a flat to do up, followed by another home to work on. Mick did a lot of travelling in his retirement. He died in Eastbourne.

Sylvia Davies (2018)

Sylvia Davies (1959 – 2018) was born Sylvia Bergamo in Switzerland on 25 August, the youngest of four children. She moved to the UK as a young child and after leaving school, she worked in a shoe factory in Bridgend. After her marriage, she became a cook and then a cleaner at a school. Sylvia enjoyed travelling with her husband and caring for her children and grandchildren. She married Roddy in 1979 and they had three children: Lee, Ross, and John.

Sylvia Dormer (2014)

Sylvia Evelyn Dormer (1928 – 2014) was born in Norwich to Violet and Albert Abbs. Sylvia was an only child until she was 10 years old, when her sister Myra was born. The Second World War disrupted her education and Sylvia left the Stuart School for Girls aged 14. She went to night school to learn shorthand and typing which lead to various secretarial jobs. Sylvia was also in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force and a part-time model in the 1950s. In 1951, Sylvia married William Bowers and they had two children, Ruth and Mark. Following William’s tragic death, Sylvia met Ian with whom she spent the next 48 years, 36 years of which they spent in Potter, outside Norwich. In 1990 Sylvia qualified as a chiropodist and practiced for about 10 years. Among her passions were amateur dramatics, cooking and painting. She was involved in running the Potter Heigham art exhibition for 20 years. She died in Norwich.

Sylvia May Hutchins (2020)

Sylvia was born on 5th April 1924 in Portland, Dorset and grew up there then the family moved to north London where her father ran a haulage business. She met Bert Hutchins when her mother was childminding his daughter Silvie and in the mid 1950’s they moved to Benfleet where Bert was a carpenter and Mike and Jenny were born. Bert built the family home in Homefields Avenue where Sylvie lived for mare than 60 years until March 2020. Her mother and father moved in next door and then her sister Dora and husband Tom. Sylvia was a keen cricket supporter and loved Wimbledon. She enjoyed paintings, the theatre and cinema, loved listening to music and was an avid reader. She enjoyed wildlife and gardening and had a good eye for photography. Sylvie was always interested in and supportive of her children and then her grandchildren Robert, Hazel and Mark and her great granddaughter Millie. From March 2020 Sylvia lived happily at Hargrave House Care Home in Stansted where she made new friends and was able to keep in touch with her family through garden visits and FaceTime during the Covid-19 pandemic. Sylvia died on 24th October 2020.

Sylvia Myson (2019)

Sylvia Joy Myson, ‘Sylvie’ (1934 – 2019) was born in Cambridge on the 7th July 1934. She had three brothers, whom she looked after when their father died, when Sylvie was eleven. She left Coleridge School to work as a seamstress. Sylvie married Terry in 1956. They lived in Cambridge and had five children, Sandra, Andrew, Jenny, Kevin and Sarahjayne. Sylvie was a home-maker for her family but later returned to part-time work, including 18 years as a dinner lady, following her grandchildren to Priory Infants and Abbey Meadows where she became a ‘proxy granny’ to many. She was a devoted mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She looked after her grandson Carl from the age of 18 months. Sylvie survived kidney cancer in 2016 but later lost her voice due to Motor Neurone Disease. She was cared for by her family at home, where she died on 14th September 2019 .

Terence Dashwood (2019)

Terence James Dashwood (1937 – 2019) was born in the East End of London, the only child of Ivy and Jim. He was evacuated from Stratford to Bedfordshire, aged three. He went to Bedford Modern School. Terence did his National Service in the RAF. He started work at Goldington Power Station near Bedford, later moving to London to be an industrial chemist with the CEGB at Littlebrook and Battersea Power Stations. He married (Rosemary) Fay Thomas in 1962 and moved to Streatham. Neil was born in 1964. They then moved to Bromley where Sara was born, followed by Stuart a couple of years later. In 1978, Terence moved to Sapele, Nigeria in 1978 to run a power station for a few years. On returning to England, he continued to work with the CEGB, eventually moving to Ightham, Kent. In 1989 he relocated to Somerset, working at Nuclear Electric in Bedminster. It was here he met his second wife Margaret. In retirement, they shared a real passion for walking and gardening. He had 10 grandchildren.

Thomas ‘Tom’ Frederick Hering (2021)

Thomas ‘Tom’ Frederick Hering (1935 – 2021) was born on 7^th April 1935 in London to Frank and Kitty. He had two sisters, Anna and Norah. Tom was sent to boarding school from the age of four. Tom’s mother remarried in 1943 and had another son, Martin. In 1949 he went to Quintin Grammar in London and lived with his father and stepmother, Lotte. After completing four A levels, he worked for a year as a technician at the Royal Free Medical School. He went to Magdalene College, Cambridge in 1953 and obtained his BA in Natural Sciences. He stayed at Cambridge to complete his PhD. In 1959, Tom began work for the Nature Conservancy Council, at Merlewood Research Station, in the Lake District, where he met Jenny Dewhurst. They were married in 1963. In 1965, he was appointed Lecturer, and later Senior Lecturer, at the University of Nottingham where he worked until his retirement in 1990. He had two daughters Ruth and Caroline. Jenny died in 1983. Having joined the British Mycological Society in the 1960s, in 1986 Tom set up the Leicestershire Fungus Study Group and was the Leicestershire County fungal recorder. He published a number of papers in distinguished journals. Lynne Mansell-Long was his companion from 1996 until 2018. He had two grandchildren, Arthur and Dan. Tom enjoyed sailing, skiing, walking, mountaineering, creative writing, painting and was a volunteer at the National Trust for over 20 years. Tom was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January 2021 and died on 15th December 2021.

Thomas Blake (2019)

Thomas Henry Blake (1931 – 2019) was born in Elham to Charles and Elizabeth. He was the middle child of five, the others being Bill, Ronald, Gladys and Pamela. His father died when he was still young. The family moved from Folkestone to Hampstead in London before the war started. Tom was evacuated to Wiltshire to stay with his mother’s family for the duration of the war. On leaving school he completed an electrical apprenticeship. Tom met his wife to be, Vera, before starting National Service. Tom was an electrician in the Royal Navy between 1952 and 1954. Then he joined the BBC as an electrician and subsequently became a cameraman. Tom and Vera married in 1956 and lived in Hampstead, where Graham was born. He later transferred to BBC Wales with a move to Newport, where Mandy was born in 1965. Vera died in 1982 and in 1988 Tom retired and focused on his golf. He had two grandchildren, Carys and Rhys. Tom died peacefully at home.

Thomas Brown Hunter (2020)

Thomas Brown Hunter was born on 9th September 1945 and was the oldest of five children. He remained close to his brother John all his life. He played football for his junior school and for Northumberland county at senior school. He left school and started a plastering apprenticeship but left the trade to join the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, travelling the world aboard oil tankers, refuelling Royal Navy ships. Thomas married Chris in Shiremoor in 1968, having left the Navy the previous year. The couple had two children, Zoe and Lee, and Thomas loved being a dad. When work became scarce, the family moved to Hertfordshire and in 1975 he became a plasterer at Wrotham Park Estate. He took over the role of gamekeeper on the estate when the position became vacant. Thomas was a keen pigeon fancier, racing his birds with his beloved granddaughter, Flossie. He also had two great grandchildren, Alfie and Grace. Over the years, Thomas developed a fondness for the island of Malta, which he visited regularly and where he made many friends. After months of ill health, he was diagnosed with lung cancer and died in hospital on 22nd June at the age of 74.

Thomas Gondris (2019)

Thomas Gondris (1930-2019) Tom was born in Czechoslovakia, the only child of Eugen and Else. Tom was sent to England on the last of the Kindertransport trains. He was given a home by the Parsons Family, in Hampshire. Tom’s parents didn’t survive the war. He left school at 18 and went to Egypt for eighteen months National Service. When he returned to England Tom was taken on by a small firm, that had recently been started by fellow central European, Harry Erben. The firm flourished and Tom stayed with it for the rest of his working life, becoming managing director. In 1958, Tom went on a skiing holiday in Austria where he met his wife-to-be, Pat. Their marriage was to last over 60 years. They had three children, Joanne, Peter and Alexander. The family settled in Ipswich, when Tom’s company moved to the area. He served as a borough councillor and was deeply involved in the restoration and preservation of local buildings.

Thomas O’Halloran (2019)

Thomas John O’ Halloran (1929 – 2019) was born in Newtown, Cardiff to Mary and Henry O’Halloran, one of ten children. Tom left school aged 13. He eventually found work as a builder’s mate. He spent two years in Yorkshire on National Service before returning to Cardiff to work in the steel industry. Tom married Olive in 1955 and had two daughters, Bev and Jan. In 1990, Tom moved to Cathays to live with his partner Dot. In 1992, Tom survived a heart attack, prompting his retirement from the Welsh Government. Tom and Dot then moved to Rumney, close to his daughter, Bev. After retirement Tom became very domesticated, taking on the role of house husband. Tom had two grandsons, James and George. He was a lifelong fan of Welsh rugby. Tom spent his last year at Willow Brook Nursing Home.

Thomas Oliver (1991)

Thomas Watson Oliver (1910-1991) Tom was born in Sheffield but the family moved to London when he was four. He was an only child. He won a scholarship to Tonbridge School, where he thrived academically and in sport. Tom left school at 15 to work in his father’s business, Henry Oliver and Company, which he took over in 1936, on the death of his father. Diabetes prevented Tom from serving in WW2. Tom and Kathleen married in February 1940, after a long courtship. They had two children, Catharine and Charles, and later became grandparents. In 1978 Tom was made a freeman of the City of London, an acknowledgement of his work for the Goldsmith’s Hall. Tom was a cross country runner for the Ranelagh Harriers Athletics club and later took up bowls, becoming treasurer of the bowls club in Ealing.

Timothy Maskell (2019)

Timothy John Maskell (1961 – 2019) was born in Rotherfield, the younger child of Margaret and Fred. He had an elder sister, Sandra. The family moved to Crowborough when Tim was seven, where he attended the Beacon School. He left school at 16 and trained as an engineer. He became an administrator for the Engineering Council. From there he moved to Sussex Enterprise as Head of Business Development. He then became marketing manager of Brighton Bears Basketball Club. He later retrained to work with people with autism and learning disabilities. He also enrolled on a part-time Postgraduate course in psychology and hypnotherapy. Tim also had a Masters degree in Change Management. As a young man, Tim was very involved in martial arts and running. He did two London Marathons, the Brighton Triathlon, and the South Downs 100 mile run twice. He married Hilary in 1992. They bought a house in Maresfield, where Luke was born in 1996. In 2018 Tim met and moved in with Caroline but shortly after that Tim was diagnosed with leukaemia.

Ursula Rhodes (2011)

Ursula Henriette Barbara Rhodes (1923-2011) was born in Germany but was sent to England, aged 15, when Germany became unsafe for the Jewish community. Sadly her parents, Gertrud and Heinrich Michel and her younger sister, Lilli, did not survive WWII. She was adopted by the Hawthorne Family and gained a brother and sister, Philip and Stephanie. She attended the Orme Girls’ School in Newcastle under Lyme. Ursula became naturalised as English. She married Harold Rhodes in 1946, a union that lasted 64 years. They were both active in the Labour Party. Ursula left work after the birth of their daughter, Judith, in 1953. They later moved to London before retiring to Harrogate.

Ute Bass (2019)

Ute Bass (1951 – 2019) had a simple rural childhood in the village of Juhrdenerfeld in northwest Germany. She studied at Hamburg University, and won a Fulbright Scholarship to study literature at the University of Texas, travelling extensively in the USA and Canada. Returning to Hamburg University, she gained an MA in English, Geography and Education and her teaching qualification in 1979, going on to teach at a grammar school for deprived children in Hamburg. In 1981 she married Jim Bass, and in 1985 they settled in England. Ute taught German in several colleges in Croydon and Guildford till her retirement in 2012. She was a caring, selfless person who was loved by many. Her only regret was that she never had children, but she and Jim were together happily for 45 years and travelled the world on many adventures. Ute visited 47 countries during her life, including her dream of seeing New Zealand in her last year. She died at home in Send Marsh, Guildford, aged 68.

Valerio Augusto Lucchesi (2018)

Dr Valerio Augusto Lucchesi (1927-2018) was born in war-time Italy to Evelina and Mario. He had one sister, Anna. He was largely self-educated, and learned English from British and American troops. He was accepted by the University of Florence where he took his doctoral degree in English. He moved to the UK to teach Italian. He married Joyce in 1967 in her home town of Yeadon in Yorkshire. They moved to Oxford, where they lived for 51 years. Valerio was the recognized specialist in the History of the Italian Language and was First and last Fellow and Tutor in Modern Languages at Corpus Christi. He was secretary of the Oxford Dante Society from 1986 to 2006.

Veronica Towler (2018)

Veronica Towler (1941 – 2018) was born on 12 June, an only child. She studied at the London University for a degree in general estate management and then at Exeter University for a degree in social work. She worked briefly as a social worker and then returned to surveying, becoming a Chartered Surveyor. She was passionate about conservation, at one point the Chair of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England, and a keen walker.

Victor Martin (2019)

Victor Martin (1940 – 2019) was born in Glasgow on 24th September 1940. He was an only child with a largely absent father. He had a tough childhood, growing up in a tenement building with no bathroom and a shared outside toilet. Vic was, however, an intelligent boy and won a place at Grammar School. He moved to London, working for the Inland Revenue, where he was a Union Shop Steward. He later became a tax consultant. Vic’s marriage to Jilly produced two children, Angus in 1965 and Beki in 1968. However, the marriage did not last and in 1975, Vic married Jenny and became step-dad to Claire and Becky. He was a member of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and the Anti-Nazi League. He was also an active campaigner for socialist causes. Vic took his civic duty seriously and was on the local parish council. Vic was grandfather to Ben, Kizzy, Khloe, Joshua, and Jack. He died on 4th December 2019.

Victor Woolley (2018)

Victor James Woolley (1941–2018) grew up in Sheffield, with his mum and dad, Evelyn and James, and his younger siblings Ian, David and Cheryl. He joined the RAF Linguistics School and worked translating intercepted messages from spy planes flying over East Germany and quickly became fluent in Russian. After five years in the RAF, Vic returned to Yorkshire, where he married Sue. Mark was born in 1964. He separated from Sue and some years later married Christine with whom he had Richard and Katy. After the RAF, Vic became a corrosion consultant, a job which took him all over the country and to the Middle East where he became fluent in Arabic. He moved back to Yorkshire in 2011, having been in Azerbaijan and Georgia. He was a very well-read man and once appeared on the Granada TV show Runway.

Wendy Cook (2018)

Wendy Elaine Cook (1958-2018) was born in Cardiff, the youngest of four children born to Desmond and Betty Lewis, with siblings, John, Diane and Thurza. She attended Whitchurch School. Wendy was married and had two sons whilst still young. After her second m arriage ended, Wendy moved to Llanharan and got a job at the Miskin Manor Hotel. She then met Nigel and after a period caring for him through his treatment for cancer, they married in Pontypridd. In 2001 they moved to Llanharan where they lived until a move to Beddau in 2015.

William (Bill) Lesley Harbord (2021)

Bill was born in Lambeth, London, on February 4^th 1933 to Bill and Renee Harbord. Jacqueline, his sister was born eleven years later. Bill went to Loughborough Junction school until the family briefly moved to Whitstable to escape the bombing, and then to Galt, Ontario, Canada. In the early 1950s while on National Service with the RAF on Hayling Island, Bill met Enid and they married in 1966. They had three children, Graham, Alexandria and Vicky.

Bill worked as a porter at Philips Auctioneers in Bond Street, which led him to join his parents in the antiques business, based in the Portobello and Bermondsey Markets. He took up Judo, achieving a Black Belt second Dan and became a Judo coach for the London County Council and later, undertook youth work and taught self-defence to women in Brixton.

Bill was a man of contrasts: he never took life seriously, he enjoyed being controversial and lived in the moment, but he was an intelligent businessman and an autodidact, reading up on art and history. Leading a full life, Bill always had time for his many friends and dog companions. He was devoted to his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchild.

William Aldworth (2019)

William ‘Bill’ Aldworth (1939-2018) grew up in Willesden with his parents, Ernest and Violet. He had five sisters, Pam, Peg, Maureen, Joan & Barbara. After school, he took up an apprenticeship with a local engineering company. He gained his HNC and became a draftsman until retiring at the age of 70. Bill married Barbara in 1962 and they had two children, Guy & Lisa. The family moved to Suffolk and in 1967, Bill started his own firm, Henstor Engineering. Sport was a lifelong theme for Bill, particularly judo, football and golf. He had a short career in local politics, as a Labour councillor in 1970 and later as a county councillor.

William John Davies (2017)

William John Davies (1935 – 2017) was born in Barry on the 7 April, the youngest of two children. He worked first as an apprentice carpenter and then joined the RAF before returning to carpentry once his service was over. Later on, he changed careers and became a Chartered Quantity Surveyor, calculating the materials that would be needed for the Millennium Stadium. William married his first wife Jean in 1956 and they had three children: Mike, Helen, and Julian. He later married Hazel and they had two children: Nicola and Kat. He had ten grandchildren.

William Western (2020)

William James “Billy” Western (1932 – 2020) was born in Cadoxton, South Wales, on 3rd June 1932, to Billy and Nellie. He had seven siblings, Dolly, Mary, Helen, Beatie, Margaret, June and Len. He attended Cadoxton School and played football for the junior and senior teams. Billy left school when he was 14 and started work for a company that transported livestock from farms to market. He joined the Royal Engineers for national service when he was 18. He was trained as a driver and was posted to Egypt, serving in the Canal Zone. In 2007, his service was recognised with the award of the Canal Zone medal. Returning home, he went back to his previous job driving lorries. Billy married his childhood sweetheart, Cassie, in 1956. A year later their daughter, Janice, was born. Billy now worked for British Road Services as a class 1 HGV driver, driving all over the UK and Ireland. After 25 years at BRS, he then drove for several other companies including Geest and Moretons before retiring in 1997. He preferred to keep busy and so ran a local cab service, helped neighbours with gardening, as well as driving floats in the Barry Carnival. Billy was a grandfather to Kathryn. In 2016 Billy and Cassie received a card from the Queen congratulating them on their Diamond Anniversary. When Cassie was very ill, Billy looked after her at home. Cassie had been in hospital for the four months before Billy died in Barry on 3rd January 2020.

Wolfgang Marc Schatzberger (2021)

Born in Vienna, Wolfgang, or Wolfi as he was known by his family, was the only child of Ida (née Lewinter) and Maximilian Schatzberger.  In May 1939, aged 12, he escaped on the Kindertransport for England, and after a short time in foster care lived with an aunt and her family in Whalley Range, Manchester.  Marc, as he was known in England, went to Technical College followed by Manchester Central sixth form.  He reached the finals of the North West junior boxing championships.  He then studied electrical engineering at University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST) and, on graduation, became an apprentice at Metropolitan Vickers.  Marc married Rosl Fried (‘Rosie’) in 1947 and became a British Citizen. They had two children, Paul and Lesley.  He worked at Long and Crawford, then Brush Engineering, Erskine and Heap, and finally TAC Construction.  Marc became a chartered engineer in 1958.  On retirement in 1991, he and Rosie moved to York and Marc took on new challenges, most notably as school speaker on Jewish persecution, and he became a violin-maker.  At the end of 2020 Marc was awarded the British Empire Medal for services to Holocaust Education and Awareness.

Yvonne Adams (2020)

Yvonne Sandra Ann Adams (1948 – 2019) was born on 27th October 1948 in Henbury, Bristol. It was a time of post-war austerity and many things were still rationed. After leaving school, Yvonne worked for W.D and H.O Wills. After a short courtship she married Stephen and they had three sons, Lee, Darren and Michael. They started their married life in Bristol and then settled in Yate, establishing a very home-centred way of life. Stephen was disabled as a result of childhood polio and died in 2007. Yvonne had returned to full-time work with Parcelforce. She took a keen interest in politics and was an active member of the Liberal Democrats. She also had a life-long love of looking after animals, particularly cats and dogs. Other interests were gardening and reading. However the main focus of her life was always her family. Yvonne was diagnosed with cancer in mid-November and died three weeks later on 8th December 2019.