Jimmy Corbin WILLIAM James “Jimmy” Corbin, DFC and Bar (95), lived for 14 years in Weavering and before that in Fau- chons Lane, Bearsted, and London Road. He was Maidstone’s last surviving Battle of Britain pilot, and had been the subject of press atten- tion in recent years, following the 2007 publication of his book Last of the Ten Fighter Boys. The book was intended as a sequel to a classic work on the last war, The Ten Fighter Boys, which chronicled the experi- ences of 10 fighter pilots from Biggin Hill. Jimmy was the last survivor of the group. Raised locally and a pupil at Maidstone Technical School, Jimmy qualified as a teacher be- fore the war and started work be- fore volunteering with the RAF. His postings included both Biggin Hill and West Malling. He ended the conflict with a term in North Africa and a post- ing in the West Country, where he earned enough respect to have his own Spitfire sporting his initials. He retired with the rank of Flight Lieutenant, by which time he had earned his Bar by being twice awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. After returning to teaching at


the school where he was a pupil, he metwife Jeanne in the Queen’s Head pub in Maid- stone. They married in 1955 and raised children Brian,Anne


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andMargot. Jimmy was a mem- ber of Bearsted Golf Club from 1968 until his death. He served as captain in 1980 and his wife was also a member. Jimmy was honoured by Maidstone borough when he was awarded the Freedom of Maidstone. He was also a long- term freemason. Jeanne said: “Jimmy was a


true gentleman, and very mod- est about his achievements; when asked about his time as a fighter pilot he would say: “We just got on and did it.’” The final paragraph in his book says: “What was it that got me through. I don’t know. I think it was just luck.” Jimmy leaves his wife, chil-


dren and grandchildren Meghan, Andrew, Thomas, Emma and Daniel.


Mary Holding MARY Holding (106)was one of Maidstone’s oldest residents. She died at the Eastfield Resi- dential Home, Sittingbourne Road, and was known for 33 years running Forstal Farm, in Coxheath, with her hus- band, William, and sons Frank and John. Her jobs locally included nursing near Newington. Born Mary Holding, she moved to Wales as a girl. She started work as a newspa- per reporter in Tonypandy, Wales, but returned to Kent when her father developed pneumonia and was advised by doctors to move away from the dampWelsh air. Shemet her husband,William Holding, when he delivered a letter misdirected to his home because his family and Mary’s shared the same surname. Her early jobs included nursing at Keycol Hospital near Newing- ton. She also worked in an ac- counts office, tax office and pram shop before her marriage. Mary and William farmed in Kent; he held a smallholding for


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anumberofyears andalso farmed near Hollingbourne, eventually giving the other farms up to run Forstal Farm. Mary loved the outdoors and


had been a long-time member of local branches of the Women’s Institute and Mothers’ Union. Son Frank said: “She was very organised and mixed well so- cially.” When son John died in 1985,


Mary and William moved to Workhouse Lane, East Farleigh. On William’s death in 1993, Mary continued to live alone in their home until she was 100. Mary leaves her son Frank,


four grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.


Clara Bell CLARA Bell (99) died five months short of her 100th birth- day. She lived in Marden, with son Bill, for her final 10 years, after spending most of her life in and around London. She grew up in the city, one of


a family known as fishmongers, and had toured the country as a dancer before her first marriage to Ernest Morbey. She becamemother to Dudley


and Terry, but Ernest died in 1945 and Clara worked in a pub to support her family. She marriedWilliam Bell and


had four more children; William, Ray, Alma and Gloria, but waswidowed again in 1953, whenWilliam died in an indus- trial accident. Clara lived in Rotherhithe, Deptford and Bermondsey. Daughter-in-law Kath said: “Clara could be sparky and cheeky and she always had a smile. She showed incredible grit and determination to sur- vive the loss of two husbands and raise her six children.” Clara leaves her children, 12 grandchildren and 10 great- grandchildren.


David Beevis DAVID Beevis (77), of Marion Crescent, Shepway, lived locally for 48 years. The former Fleet Air Arm (FAA) officer was born in Crowborough, but moved to Kingswood, near Ulcombe. He met his wife of 56 years, Sylvia, before he entered the services. The couple moved around as David rose through the ranks with the FAA, working on aircraft, managing teams and serving on aircraft carriers. He was father to Christopher, Stephen, Jonathan and Vanessa. David left the services and fol-


lowed a career in engineering, living in Barming before spend- ing his final 27 years at Marion Crescent. He worked for Tilling- ham Stevens until they closed and went on to work for Med- way Repetitions, working on ar- tificial limbs. Meningitis left himwith health problems and David spent his


finalworking years with RBL In- dustries in Aylesford. His wife Sylvia said: “David always had a lot of fight and a will to succeed. He battled the illness and the after-effects. He played sports in his younger days and enjoyed fishing. He also loved gardening.” David leaves hiswife, children


and grandchildren Emma, Char- lotte, Alex, Claire, Stephy, Is- abelle and Jonathan.


John Stanford JOHN Stanford (64) lived in Hastings Road, Maidstone, his whole life and was known from his membership of the Barmy Army Film Club, a local group of Dad’s Army afficionados known formaking their own films based on the classic series and also fundraising for charity. John was also a keen real ale enthusiast and a member of the local branch of the Campaign for Real Ale. John bought his own home, across the road from the one where he’d grown up in Hastings Road. He worked for Seeboard, but retired early to care for his mother when she became in- firm.


John’s death


had a fitting el- ement of slapstick when police and bomb disposal experts were alerted after the discovery of his body, when a cache of arms was foundinhis home. A grenade found among the


items caused particular concern, until it was discovered to be a decommissioned device, used in John’s work with the Barmy Army Film Club. The club’s website announced


the death of their own “Corporal Jones” and the group’s chairman, Colin Taylor, praised his work in fundraising for charities like the Royal British Legion and RAF Benevolent Fund. Colin Taylor’s partner, Debo-


rah Dean, said: “John was very active in Maidstone and was a great fundraiser.” John – who had no family of his own – leaves two cousins.


Gerry Beach GERALD “Gerry” Beach (77), re- cently of New Romney, was known for his love of golf and his 20 years as director of CDF, his computer stationery firm. Gerry, and his wife of 54 years,


Zena, lived in Allington from 1964 before moving to Teston, where they supported the village church, and then to Bearsted. Gerry was a table tennis cham-


pion, a semi-professional foot- baller for Peterborough United and an excellent golfer. Daughter Julie said: “Myfather


was a gentleman through and through. He was a wonderful family man and had a loving marriage to my mother.” Gerry leaves his wife, daughter


Julie, son Jamie and grand- daughter Jemima.


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