downsmail.co.uk Ernie Durbridge


ERNIE Durbridge (89) moved from London to Dion in 1964 with his wife Mavis and three daughters. He worked in the telecommunication industry and travelled throughout the UK and Europe, retiring in 1986. The family lived in their newly-built house in Primrose Drive, where Ernie became a keen and successful gardener. Hewas also a keen photographer and loved to record family events and memories. Erniewas involved in the creation of the swimming pool at Dion School and later donated old coins and photos when the buildingwas changed into a heritage centre. His daughters Gillian, Alyson and Julia all aended Dion School and learnt to swim in the pool. Ernie developed Alzheimer’s and in 2013


he moved to Lulworth House in Queen’s Avenue, Maidstone. Daughter Gillian said: “The support and helpmy father got in the care homewas a great comfort; he will be fondly remembered by his many friends locally.” Ernie leaves his wife, daughters and grandchildren David, Mark, Alex, Nicole, Nathan and Connor.


Michael Phillips


MICHAEL Phillips (63) spent almost all of his life in the Maidstone area, living in The Landway, Bearsted for 34 years. His police career took him all over Kent and – briefly – to Noinghamshire. His postings included Gillingham, Maidstone and TunbridgeWells, where he met Marita, his wife of 40 years Michael spent much


of his career in front line policing and for


the final 10 years of his service hewas a coroner's officer, the position from which he retired in 1999. Marita said: “Michaelwas a real one-off,


the kind of unique character who did things hisway. Itwas fiing that we played ‘MyWay‘ at his funeral. “Hewas an excellent athlete, winning the


Kent Police Cross Country championships 12 times out of 16 between 1971 and 1986. He earned county colours and represented Kent at national level. He also loved singing, especially karaoke. “Michaelwas a loving and generous


family man and a wonderful father to Natalie and Ashley. Lots of people will miss his quirky personality." Michael leaves his wife and family.


Irena Burgess


IRENA Burgess (92)was the school secretary at St Francis Catholic Primary School in Queens Road, Maidstone, for 21 years. She lived in Aylesford with her husband


Ted from 1962, moving to Barming in 2005 following his death. Born Irena Fiszer, in Poland, she moved


toAustria with her family in 1941, where she met Ted, her husband of more than 50 years. The couple lived inAustria before moving to Maidstone. They raised twins, Max and Robin, and daughter Marya.


30 Malling February 2015 Irenawas a member of Medway Anglo-


Polish Club and the Maidstone Polish Club. Former colleagues paid tribute to her diplomatic skills, which could often diffuse a tense situation. Irena leaves her children, six grandchildren and great-granddaughter Daisy Luiza.


Margaret Amphle


MARGARET Amphle (85) lived locally for 51 years, the last nine near Bower Mount Road. Her previous homes in the area were in


Penenden Heath and Aylesford. Born Margaret Ford in Malton, North Yorkshire, she moved to Stafford with her family and, worked for her local Co-operative Society. Margaret met and married husband of 64 years Ron, a civil engineer, and the pair raised childrenMike and Jane. Margaret worked for the supplies department of KCC, in both Sandling Road, Maidstone andWest Malling. Ron Amphle said: “Margaret had a generous nature and loved entertaining. She was very giving and devoted to her family. When we lived near Hereford she became a second mother to a local Scout troop when I was their leader, often baking for them. “She loved travelling, especially the cruises we took later in life. She took pleasure in the achievements of her family, and was really happy to discover her first great-grandchild is on the way.” Margaret leaves her husband, children


and grandchildren Paul and Helen. Her first great-grandchild is due in July.


Bert Day


ALBERT “Bert” Day (78) lived locally for 48 years, initially in Yalding and, for the last 15 years, in Glebe Lane, Barming. Originally from London, Bert spent three years in the Army Catering Corps before beginning a career as an electrician. Most of his electrical career was spent working for The Times newspaper, but he was caught in the wave of


redundancies which followed its move to headquarters inWapping and finished work in the local area. Bert was married to Jan for 56 years and


was father to Christopher, Robert, Terry, Kim and Jackie. Jan said: “Bert was very capable and had lots of hobbies, including deep-sea diving. He was really good with his hands and could make all kinds of things. He was often able to help others with practical jobs. He could be a larger- than-life character, and loved to be around people.” Bert leaves his wife, children and grandchildren: Paul, Kerry, Ricky, Tim, Megan, Lucy, Daniel, Kirsty and Christopher.


Alan Townsend


EdwardAlan Townsend was known from his years as head at North Borough School. Alan leaves his wife Jen, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.


Dennis Hill


DENNIS Hill (82) lived locally for most of his life, spending his final seven years in Larkfield and having previous homes in Allington and Maidstone. Born inWales, he moved to Staplehurst


aged 14 and joined the Royal Engineers as a young man, beginning a 27-year career that saw a number of postings including Germany.With his first wife, Greta, he raised sons Glen, John and Gareth. Dennis returned to Maidstone and began working at Maidstone Museum. After the death of his first wife, Dennis married Annie, with whom he spent the final 24 years of his life. Annie Hill said: “Denniswas incredibly talented with his hands and could do anything practical, he was also really good with computers. He was family oriented and loved to be at home and with his dogs.” Dennis leaves his wife, children and grandchildren Amy, Megan, Madison, Daniel, Courtney, Annie, Lesley and Joshua.


Anthony Balston


TRIBUTES have been paid to Anthony Balston (76), a former judge who made an emotional retirement speech in 2005, retiring due to poor health. The judge, who lived in Northiam,


served the circuit, including Maidstone, and made his own legal history in a career that, in 1985, saw him become one of the first solicitors to become a circuit judge. The judge was noted for his brevity in summing up cases, and his enlightened aitude in dealing with sex crimes. He had tried the first private rape prosecution in the UK and a decision he made involving a prostitute having as much right to refuse sex as any other woman is now accepted across the legal profession in the country. Anthony was popular with barristers


and noted for his willingness to trust in the intelligence and memories of juries, often providing them with short summaries rather than lengthy rehashes of an entire trial. His interests outside of work included gardening and cordon bleu cookery.


Les Leonard


LES Leonard (70), who lived in Hunton for 31 years, was known locally from years as a journalist, including work for the Morning Advertiser and the north Kent based Eat Out. He started his career on the Sevenoaks Chronicle and Sevenoaks News. He also worked on a number of specific projects, including the annual Pub of the Year awards. Les was also a member of the Chequers Racers Cycling Club in Laddingford, which paid tribute to him


with a picture on its website. He was often seen cycling in the area around his home. He and wife Marion raised children Marcus and Catherine. Marion said: “Les got on well with everyone; one of his talents was the ability to talk to people and get information from them.


Obituaries


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