downsmail.co.uk Les Tompse
LESLIE “Les” Tompse (87) resided in the local for almost all of his life. Born in Hunton, Les lived for more than 60 years in Coxheath. One of six brothers, he lived with his mother, taking over the family home when she died. Les did national service in the RAF and grew up doing local farm work and hop picking, butwaswell known as a one- company, one-career man who spent the vast majority of his working life as an engineer at Whatman’s paper mill. His niece Tina Jones said: “My unclewas
really self-sufficient and really happy on his own. He cooked all his own meals andwas a very determined person. Hewas generous with his time and often helped people out. “Hewas really patient and helped his nephews and nieces and their children to assemble kits and toys. It is a mark of how well regarded hewas that the local post office sent a wreath to his funeral. I’ve also heard from one of his colleagues at the paper mill that Leswas the best person he ever worked with. People really took to him.” Les – whowas the last of the brothers in
his family – leaves 10 nephews and nieces and many friends.
MichaelWilliam Smith
THE funeral took place in Charing Crematorium of MichaelWilliam Smith (71), formerly of Marden.
Elsie Clayton
ELSIE Agnes Clayton (92)was born in Otham and lived in the Maidstone area all her life. Born Elsie Sharp, she aended Maidstone Grammar School for Girls and worked at Maidstone Boys’ Technical School and Kent County Buildings Department. Elsiewas married to
her childhood sweetheart, Ray Smith, the son of a local builder, for only a few months before hewas killed on active service with the RAF in thewar. She also lost her father at about the same time.
While working at Kent Police Headquarters she met police officer Bob Clayton. The couple married in 1947 and raised son John. After Bob retired from the police, they founded Larkfield Pharmacy, whichwas eventually sold to become the first Paydens chemist. John Clayton said: “My motherwas
always cheerful, friendly and full of compassion. Her familywas her main love, along with her garden, and shewas always content and independent. “She enjoyed travel and history andwas interested in current affairs. “People will remember her as a helpful
and considerate person. She will also be remembered for her exceptional singing voice, which could fill the house.” Elsie – whowas widowed in 1984 – leaves her son and twin grandsons James and Nick.
DennisHill
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. He and his first wife Greta 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 24 years. She said: “Denniswas incredibly talented with his hands and could do anything practical; hewas also really good with computers. Hewas 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
TRIBUTESwere 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 legal history in a career that, in 1985 saw him become one of the first solicitors to become a circuit judge. Hewas noted for his brevity in summing up cases, and his enlightened aitude in dealing with sex crimes. He had tried the first private rape prosecution in the UKand 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. Anthonywas 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.
Irena Burgess
IRENA Burgess (92)was the school secretary at St Francis Catholic Primary School in Queens Road, Maidstone, for 21 years. She lived inAylesford with her husband
Ted from 1962, moving to Barming in 2005 following his death. Born Irena Fiszer in Poland, she moved to
Austria with her family in 1941, where she met Ted. The couple lived inAustria before moving to Maidstone. They raised twins, Max and Robin, and daughter Marya. 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
Andrew Thornewell
ANDREW Thornewell (28), formerly of Teapot Lane,Aylesford died in a road accident in Cambridgeshire. The news prompted tributes from friends
of the former pupil at Oakwood Park and Invicta grammar schools. Andrew’s parents, Paul and Linda, and
his older sister Sarah, also paid tribute to the engineer whowas looking forward to a bright and challenging career. Andrewwas due to marry partner Emma Shackleton in
May.At the time of his death the couplewere living in Ely, Cambridgeshire, and hewas working for RJ Herbert
Engineering.Acolleague, Tim Wildbore, also died in the same accident. Andrew, whowas an ardent supporter of Gillingham FC, leaves his many friends and family members.
Amie Baker
YOUNGmother Amie Baker (26), of Coxheath died after suffering a stroke. Amie, ofWaverley Close, felt ill while shopping with her mother. Paramedicswere called, but itwasn’t until three days later that the full extent of her condition became clear and her health deteriorated rapidly. Amie aended Senacre Technology College and had worked at Stone Tile Warehouse in Park Wood.With her partner Ben Steel she had daughters Evie (7) and seven-month-old Connie. Friends and family have spoken of Amie’s natural abilities as a mother and of the happiness they shared with Amie. Her funeral at All Saints’ Church in Maidstone was aended by more than 300 people. Amie leaves her parents, her partner and her children.
Peter Bonnert
PETER Bonnert (82)was a talented organist and choirmaster. His professional work as a horologistwas also noted, and his clocks were displayed in the Victoria and Albert Museum and in institutions abroad. He won prizes for his horology and gave
an annual lecture atWest Dean College,West Sussex on the subject. Peterwas a fellow of the British Horological Institute. Peterwas central to the fundraising campaign to replace the organ in East Farleigh Church with an electronic model, which is still used today. He also performed locally. The church has spoken of his tremendous contribution to local life. In addition to training choirs to high standards of performance, his work advising on the organ and maintaining the clock is estimated to have saved a significant sum of money. Peter leaves his wife Brenda, sons Roger
and Timothy, daughterWendy and his 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.
01622 726633 There is no charge for our obituary service. Call Neil Nixon on 01622 630422 or email
nlnxn@aol.com 34 Maidstone South March 2015
Obituaries
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