downsmail.co.uk Douglas Baker


DOUGLAS Baker (109), of Loose spent 54 years working at Turkey Mill, Ashford Road when the paper mill was in operation. He started as a clerk and eventually retired as general manager. Douglas spent his whole life – apart from


his war service – living in Maidstone, moving to Loose in the 1980s.At the age of 100 he visited his old workplace and sat again at his old desk. He also spoke of his pride in the workforce he managed, noting that he had visited a number of other paper mills and also came away thinking he was lucky to have his job and workforce. During the war Douglas served in the


North African Desert Rats campaign, returning to the mill afterwards. He retired in 1976 at the age of 70, when


the mill, founded by the Whatman family, closed. The closure was blamed on the lack of demand for writing paper as telephone use became more widespread.


Jan Fry


JANET “Jan” Fry (77) was well known in and around Hollingbourne as the wife of the reverend Nigel Fry. She had lived in the village for about 12 years and tributes have been paid to the enthusiasm with which she engaged in local life. Jan was born into a church family, and at various times her father served as vicar of Boxley and Archdeacon of Maidstone. Jan trained as a teacher and was mother to Jonathan and Sally. She was active in a


Picture: Will Perry


number of groups and societies including Hollingbourne Helpers, an organisation which helps people with tasks such as travelling to hospital appointments. Jan also took charge of the Christian Aid collection in the village and people in the area noted how she helped to make the vicarage a welcoming place. In her spare time Jan, with her husband, was a regular supporter of Kent Cricket Club, travelling to watch them play in Canterbury. She leaves her husband, children and grandchildren.


Cyril Roger


CYRIL Roger (93), who has died at his home in Suon Valence, held a record for any Kent-born rider in his sport, having appeared in five World Speedway Finals. Born in Ashford on December 27, 1921, Cyril was one of three brothers all involved in the sport. He began competing for Exeter


Falcons in 1947, having been loaned by New Cross Rangers. His greatest success came after the London team recalled him and he rode for them from the late 1940s until 1953. When New Cross Rangers’ track closed, Cyril moved to East Anglia, riding for teams in Norwich and Ipswich. A broken leg caused him to miss one season, but Cyril continued competing until 1963, when he retired after a season riding for Southampton Saints. Among a collection of honours, Cyril


won the London Riders’ Championship in 1950 and five team awards. His best placing in five world speedway finals was 10th.


Cyril survived both of his speedway-


riding brothers – elder brother Bert died in 1965 and younger brother Bob died in 2002. Cyril also competed locally and remains the track record holder at the old Brands Hatch speedway circuit. He leaves his wife Phyllis, sons Simon,


John and Luke, six grandsons and two granddaughters.


George Nissen


THE funeral took place of George Nissen (101), known for many years as manager of Crows Motor Factors. George was also a former player for Maidstone United FC and had served in WorldWar II, including being involved in D-Day.


David Nuall


DAVID Nuall (64), who had recently moved to Chart Suon, was well known locally for his years of involvement in nature and conservation work. He lived for almost 30 years in Downswood, most of them in Longham Copse.


Born in


Chesterfield, Derbyshire and educated at Loughborough University, David followed a career in civil engineering that took him to Birmingham and Ashford, before he


moved to the Maidstone area. In Kent he worked forWimpey Homes and Southern Water. He was given a retirement card from his final job, but still continued to be involved three days a week until his death. David was married to Christine for 32


years, and was father to Rachel and Emily. Emily said: “My father was very generous with his time and effort and loved taking his grandchildren on nature walks. He was very involved with local causes including the Len Valley Action Group and Friends of Mote Park. He was a governor of Madginford School for many years, and helped out at many local events. “Since moving to Kent he had been


involved with St Nicholas’ Church in Otham, which was a very important part of his life. He also loved music and regularly aended concerts by Maidstone Symphony Orchestra and the Sacconi Quartet, of


There is no charge for our obituary service. Call Neil Nixon on 01622 630422 or email nlnxn@aol.com 34 Maidstone South July 2015


which he was a patron.” David lost Christine to breast cancer five


years ago and had recently married Vivien Tanswell. He leaves Vivien, his children and grandchildren Bethany, Benjamin, Zoe and Jessica.


Christopher Sturley


CHRISTOPHER Sturley (69), who lived in East Farleigh for almost 30 years, ran his own marketing business. Born in East Ham, London, Christopher had served in the Metropolitan Police and as UK sales manager for Levi Strauss clothing (the second post took him to Devon and Amsterdam). His first marriage produced daughters Abi and Kate.


When this marriage ended Christopher


moved to the Maidstone area. He met his second wife,Wendy, while visiting a friend who was running MinstrelWine on the current site of Ye Olde Thirsty Pig at the junction of Lower Stone Street and Knightrider Street, Maidstone. The pair met on February 9, 1986, and quickly realised they shared exactly the same birthdate and were both nine days short of their 40th birthday. Christopher went on to market Sloopy


jeans locally and run his own marketing business. He was also a mason, being a member of Maidstone’s Robinson Lodge for 20 years and serving as master of the lodge from 2001 to 2003. Wendy said: “Christopher was kind, considerate, dignified and a man who adored his daughters. He was modest when you first met him but soon developed deep and loyal friendships. “Those who knew him well really appreciated his sense of humour and the strength and loyalty he could provide. He helped me through two bouts of illness by showing those qualities. He loved fly fishing and golf.” Christopher leaves his wife, daughters and grandchildren Ben, Tansy and Rose.


Andy Gray THE funeral took place in the Scoish borders of Andy Gray (80). Andy worked in Maidstone from 1969 to 1979 as manager of the Alliance Building Society, a period he counted as “10 happy years”. He returned to his native Aberdeen but retired, through ill health, to the Scoish borders at the age of 50. Andy leaves his son Steve, daughter Carolyn and grandchildren Beth,William, Ben and Sam.


The Stone Shop


Memorials. Any natural stone supplied, lettered and installed anywhere.


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The Stone Shop Station Hill, East Farleigh, Kent.


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Obituaries


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