downsmail.co.uk Robin Leigh Pemberton


ROBIN Leigh Pemberton, Lord Kingsdown (86), served as governor of the Bank of England – taking two consecutive five-year terms – from 1983 to 1993, and had life-long family connections in Kingsdown. He served the county as chairman of the county council and as lord lieutenant. The Leigh Pemberton family have owned and farmed land in the county for over two centuries. His previous employment included chairmanship of theNationalWestminster bank and a number of other companies. His highest public position, as governor of the Bank of England,wasmarked by his steady stewardship through themassive changes following the “Big Bang” shake-up of the financialworld in the mid-eighties. Obituaries in the national press have noted his many achievements and also highlighted the way he loved to unwind at home in Kingsdown, at a home thought to house the only Eton Fives court in private hands. Robin Leigh Pemberton leaves his wife Rosemary,whom hemarried in 1953, and four sons.


George Taylor


AFORMERpoliceman and councilworker who once lived at the Eastfield Residential Home in Siingbourne Road has died, aged 105.


George Taylor put his longevity down to good behaviour, involvement in sport and avoiding alcohol. He never tasted beer. George’s police career with theMetropolitan force included aending a crowd crush disaster in an underground station during an air raid,when 173 people lost their lives. He subsequently worked for Gillingham Council. Georgewas married to Violet for over 70 years, until her death at the age of 95. He died at a nursing home in Sussex. George’s daughter,Ann,who lives in Detling, praised his “wonderful” qualities.


Peter Vowles


PETER Vowles (86) lived in Penenden Heath from 1970,moving locally when his career in the paper industry took him to SwanMill in Swanley. He spentmost of hisworking life in the industry, progressing to chief purchasing manager and company director at Swan Mill. Born and raised near Siingbourne and educated at Borden Grammar School, Peter’sworking life beganwith time in the RoyalMarines; he


worked for Kent Education Commiee and went towork in the paper industry aer this. Petermarried hiswifeof41years,Gwen, in 1950. The couple raised Lorely, David and Mandy. David Vowles said: “My father led a full life, he played hockey into his late 40s for a works team. My mother died in 1991 andmy father remained independent andwas very proud of his family. “His knowledgewas impressive and hewas able to answer all kinds of quiz questions. Aer beingwidowed, hemet Audrey and they enjoyed cruises and a lot of good times.” Peter leaves his children,Audrey, eight grandchildren (one grandchild pre-deceased him), and two great-grandchildren.


28 Maidstone East Edition January 2014 Reg Oriel


REGINALD “Reg” Oriel (81) lived in Bearsted from 1960, moving from his native London aer marrying his wife, Jackie. The couple metwhen Jackiewasworking as a nurse inMile End Hospital and Reg – originally from Bethnal Green –was being treated for a broken hip. The couplemoved locally and Reg began a career in transport, driving lorries for CharlesArkcoll’s, Marley Tiles and Lenham Storage. During Reg’sworking


life itwas common for Marley and Lenham Storage drivers tomove between the firms. Reg eventually beganworking at Safeway’s warehouse inAylesford, from where he retired. Regwas father to Kim, Lyn and Ian. Jackie Oriel said: “Regwas a loving and devoted family man, a life-long Arsenal supporterwho also supported our son as he played for a succession of local football teams.He loved walking and birdwatching, both ofwhichwe could do locally. “As a boy he had met King George, as the Queen’s father visited the bomb-damaged East End of London. There is a photograph of Reg with the King.” Reg leaves his wife, children and grandchildren Claire, Rachel, Jo, Kirsty, Kelly, Ryan andNathan.


Emma ‘Lou’ Smith


EMMALouisa Smith (known tomany as Lou or Louie), who died at the age of 98 aer a short illness,was one of Bearsted and Thurnham’s last links to aworld unchanged by twoworldwars. Louwas born as Emma Earl in Smart’s Coages, Bearsted, to Charles and Elizabeth Earl. Shewas a local girl, livingwith her family in Roundwell, Yeoman Lane, Spot Lane and Fancy Row. Like many of her peers, she le the


village school towork in service. She later worked in local agriculture, especially Bradleys Farm (where the Landway Estate now stands), but also at Roseacre Laundry and HarnesNursery. Loumarried Jack Smith at Leeds Church in 1935. Itwas amarriage rooted in a deep love and respect for each other,which lasted until Jack’s sudden death in 1981. By 1939, they had moved toWare Street as Jackwasworking for Rosemount Dairy, owned by the Hodges family. Lou and Jack had two daughters, Janet andAnn. Lou had a lifetime ofmemories and loved her family, other people and conversation. No maerwhat shewas doing, family and people came first, and shewas always available to lend assistance to her daughters and others. Shewas also a keen gardener, growing vegetables and flowers. Lou had a great deal of personal style and although diminutive in stature, she adored hats andwas noted for them. She regularly shared her memories, providing glimpses into aworldwhere the opening of Bearsted railway stationwas a recent event and going intoMaidstone meant walking along theAshford Road, flanked by


fields and hop gardens. Increasing fragility saw Loumoving into Barty House in 2009. She said shewas slightly amazed to be living in what she had always regarded as “one of the big houses of Bearsted”. Lou is survived by her two daughters, two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She had already begun to plan the celebrations for her 100th birthday and so her funeral became that celebration.


NanWare


NANWare (93) spent most of her life in Otham. Locally born, she followed a career in nursing and midwifery in London before taking early retirement and returning to Othamtocarefor herparents. During thewar she survived being caught in a V2 blast which blew her bicycle from one end of a street to the other.Her nursing career included time at Park Prewi Hospital where theworld famous Archie McIndoewas


pioneering plastic surgery on disfigured servicemen. She continued to live locally aer her parents died in the 1970s.Nanwaswell known in the local area, from her steady and wide-ranging involvementwith StNicholas’s Church in Otham and themany other community activities with which shewas involved. The Rev David Bond, assistant priest at St Nicholas, said: “Nanwas a selfless and giving person, generouswith her time andmoney. “She had a strong Christian faith and those who knew her will remember her kindness, her sense of humour, and her devotion to people around her, always puing other people before herself. The parish, the local community, andmembers of herwider family will miss her greatly.”


Nick Lockwood


THE death ofWateringbury’s Nick Lockwood (43) made local headlines. The father-of-two died as the result of a motorcycle accident on theA249. Heworked at Detling Aerodrome and had studied inAylesford.


Ron Maddox


RON Maddox (78),who farmed in Ulcombe, grew up at UpperHill Farm andwas schooled locally. His other community involvement included singing in the church choir. He played football and cricket for his local village. Ron leaves hiswifeAngela, son Chris and three grandchildren.


The Stone Shop Memorials. Any natural stone supplied, lettered and installed anywhere.


Inscriptions added to existing memorials


Renovations and memorial cleaning


The Stone Shop Station Hill, East Farleigh, Kent.


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Obituaries


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