Harry Higgins HAROLD Robert “Harry” Hig- gins (81) lived in Ashford Road, Bearsted, from 1985 to 2012, when ill health brought about his move to a care home near Reading. Born in Chatham, his family


hadmoved to Birkenhead when Harry became a career soldier, joining the Royal Army Ord- nance Corps and rising to the rank of brigadier. In a 35-year Army career, his service in- cluded a period in Cyprus, where he met and married wife of 56 years, Gwen. For several years, Harry com- manded the Central Ordnance Depot at Chilwell, Notting- hamshire, and was responsible for supplying ammunition used in the FalklandsWar. On retirement from the Army


Harry took up a position as chief executive of Medway Health Authority, moving to Ashford Road. He worked in the post until retiring, after which he took on other responsibilities including county chairman of Macmillan Cancer Care. Gwen said: “Harry was very popular, everyone liked him. He loved gardening and rugby and had a life-long love of offshore sailing. He sailed from the Kent coast, often heading to Nor- mandy with his friend Simon, something he continued to do until he was 80.” Harry was father to Sarah and


Guy. He leaves his wife, chil- dren and grandchildren Charley, Jack, Sally, Anna and Monty.


Rene Davies IRENE Evelyn Mary “Rene” Davies (90) made headlines last year when she and husband Irwyn “John” celebrated 70 years of mar- riage. Born in Loose, she briefly lived in Capel Ban- gor, Wales, near her husband’s birthplace until the couple re- turned to live locally 62 years ago. They lived in Mangravet, Shepway and SenacreWood.


We will remember Rene was mother to Jennifer


and Marilyn. Jennifer said: “My mother worked locally for Al- abaster Passmore when she was young and once my sister and I were at school she went back to work in the kitchens at Oldbor- ough Manor School. People knew her as a homemaker who loved gardening, and took a pride in keeping her home as clean as a new pin. “She enjoyed a chat with her friends and went with my fa- ther to the Royal British Legion in ParkWood.” Rene leaves her husband, her daughters,


grandchildren


Nichola and Darren and great- grandchildrenMatthew, Daniel and Fraser.


Vic Baker WING leader Vic Baker (81), of Cutbush Almshouses, College Road, and formerly of St Philip’s Av- enue, Maid- stone, was an RAF veteran who devoted himself self- lessly to help- ing others discover where their relatives had died during the war. Born in Chart Sutton, Vic’s


career took in working for the estates department of Kent County Council, Marleys and Kimberly Clark in Larkfield. He was married for 49 years to Mavis, and father to Julie. His true passion remained


with the RAF; as a boy he had loved watching planes fly to and from Staplehurst. He was known in recent


years for his organisation of the annual Fall of Eagles aviation event on the site of Chick- enden Farm, Staplehurst, a spectacle that involved a fly- past by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. As a young man he served in


the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, joining the RAF. He served in the special investigations arm of the RAF Police and in-


structed others in aircraft recog- nition. He subsequently served with 40F (Maidstone) Squadron of the Air Cadets. From the early 80s, Vic served with the honorary rank of Major in the Royal Canadian Air Force, eventually being pro- moted toWing Leader. He gave talks on the history of the 363rd fighter group, which was based in Staplehurst. Daughter Julie said: “Myfather


just liked helping people. He worked for Neighbourhood Watch at St Philip’sAvenue and College Road.” Vicwas widowed in 2011. He


leaves his daughter, son-in-law David, grandchildren Krystle and John and great-grand- daughter Molly.


Stephanie Burmester STEPHANIE Burmester (92) lived in Bearsted and Thurn- ham for 50 years, the last 24 in Birling Avenue. She was born Stephanie Bland, married Ken and was mother to John, James and Mary. She met her husband when Ken was in Bomber Command and Stephanie was a meteorologist at the same air base in Suffolk during the war. She became known in the local area for her support and long involvement with theWomen’s Institute. June Churchyard, of Bearsted


Women’s Institute, said: “Stephanie was a very active member of our branch for over 40 years. She took part in every- thingwedid andwasavery popular lady.” Daughter Mary said: “My mother was very resilient and loved to be involved in things. She was active in the local his- tory society and local choral so- ciety and had worked for a number of years as a doctor’s re- ceptionist in Maidstone.” Widowed three years ago, Stephanie leaves her children, grandchildren Zoe, Simon, Timothy, Michael and Charlotte and great-grandchildren Rufus, Sasha, Isabel, Eliza and Poppy.


Serving the local community since 1985


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Rene Bowers RENE Annie Bowers (87) lived in Madginford Road, Bearsted from 1970 until she moved to a care home in her final months. She was known for her work in in- dustrial and hospital nurs- ing.


Born Rene Annie Shep- hard, in Croy- don,


her


earliest employment included a period as a secretary for the Free French Government in Exile in London during the final years of the war. She trained as a nurse and


her career included a spell at Waddon Isolation Hospital be- fore moving locally. She en- joyed a career in industry that saw her rise to manage staff working in Reed’s paper mill in Aylesford and Batchelor’s Foods in Ashford. Her final post saw her working as the senior nursing officer at All Saints’ Hospital in Chatham. Rene married Harry Bowers a


few weeks before her 50th birthday, becoming step- mother to twins Colin and Keith. Rene’s brother, Robert, said: “Rene was bright, good company, hard-working and determined.” She was well known in the Madginford Road area. She en- joyed travelling and was a reg- ular worshipper at the Holy Cross Church in Bearsted. Her husband (a former police chief inspector) died in 2004. Rene leaves her brother, step- sons and five grand-children.


Megan Coupland MEGAN Coupland (93), who has died in Andover, lived much of her life in the Maid- stone area. Born in Ashford, she grew up


in that area and began work for East and Loude, a local firm. Shemet her husband of over 60 years, Richard, a police officer, in Ashford and they settled in Loose. They subsequently moved to Penenden Heath and – after Richard’s death –Megan moved to Mulberry Court, Vin- ters Park and subsequently to Andover. Megan raised sons David and


Robin and returned to work as a typist for Leonard Gould & Co, packaging and cabinet mak- ers in Loose. She became com- pany secretary and a director, finally retiring from work aged 70. Throughout her working and retired life, Megan and Richard travelled extensively and enjoyed golf and bowls in Bearsted. SonDavid–asquadron


leader in the RAF – died in an air accident in 1981. Robin Coupland said: “My motherwas well-spoken, punc- tual, smart and impeccably dressed. She played bowls and golf in Bearsted. She stayed in-


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