downsmail.co.uk Sheila Hawkridge


SHEILA Hawkridge (81) who lived in Taylor Road, Snodland from 1963 was well known from many years of working in local shops. Born Sheila O’Connell, she spent her early


years in and around Carshalton, Surrey.With husband of 56 years Dennis “Den” she moved locally with son Stephen. Younger son Neilwas born in Snod- land.


Sheila’s local work included fruit picking on farms in the Malling area and jobs in local shops on Snodland


High Street; Key Market, Hilton’s Shoes and Snodland News Agents (from where she re- tired). Son Neil said: “My mother was very socia-


ble, friendly and bubbly. She was also quite adventurous and – in her younger days – flew abroad to places like Austria long before this was a regular thing to do. “She loved outings, and going to restaurants


and was very well known and well liked lo- cally because of the years she spent working with the public in Snodland. She and my fa- ther also enjoyed going to the retirement club in Snodland.Wewere touched thatmanypeo- ple she knew turned out for her funeral.” Sheila leaves her husband and two sons.


Noel McCrerie


NOEL McCrerie (94) lived in the Maidstone area apart from time he spent in the RAF dur- ing the war. He moved into the Royal British LegionVillage inAylesford in 1929, and lived in the same house until his final months. Educated in Ayles-


ford, Noel began work for local building firms. Hiswartime service in- cluded time spent in Egypt, South Africa and Libya. Noel spent the last


40 years of his working life employed as a plumber for Maid-


stone Council, travelling in the area on his bi- cycle. He was married to Joy for almost 58 years,


and father to Jan and Sue. Jan said: “Myfather was quiet, gracious, caring and a real gentle- man. He loved swimming – when we were younger I recall him swimming out in the sea until hewas a dot in the distance.Heswamlo- cally, at Larkfield Leisure Centre, until hewas into his nineties. “After moving to a care home in Tunbridge


Wells he got a place in a care home back in Aylesford, the place that meant the most to him.” Noel leaves his wife, daughters, grandchil-


dren Laura-Louise, Jason, Carly-Ann, Saman- tha, Thomas and Joshua; his first great-grandchild, Freddie, was born in De- cember.


Sir Reg Doyle


SIR Reg Doyle (85) lived in Headcorn from 2006 and was a distinguished public servant who carved out a notable career including posts as Kent’s chief fire officer (1977-84) and HMChief Inspector of the Fire Service.


34 Malling July 2015 Serving the local community since 1985


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www.dovesfunerals.co.uk During his tenure as Kent’s senior fire offi-


cer he lived with his family in Lenham and Harrietsham. Born in Birmingham, his first ca- reer saw him serve in the navy, joining aged 15 and rising to the position of chief petty of- ficer before joining the fire service. Reg married his wife June in 1953 and the


couple raised daughters Mandy andWendy. His meteoric rise through the ranks of the fire service saw the family move across the coun- try, including residence in Hereford and Worcester, where he served as chief fire offi- cer in the three years before taking over the Kent service. During his time locally Regwas president of Lenham Bowls Club and also president of the Weald of Kent Rotary Club. When hewas widowed in 2006 Reg moved


to Headcorn, being joined by his daughter Mandy and her husband Nick (who also served with Kent Fire Service formanyyears). The family have spoken of being over- whelmed with tributes to Reg and his funeral in Headcorn was attended by more than 200 people.


Leslie Jeffries


LESLIE Jeffries of Allington was well known locally from his years as station master at Maidstone East Station. He held the post from 1964 to 1978 and also


served at stations on the Isle of Wight, Emsworth in Surrey, Gipsy Hill in London and Sidcup. Leslie served as a radio operator in the tank regiment during World War II, with postings including North Africa. He met his wife – Jean – in the Lake District during the war. Shewas working in a fish and chip shop at the time. Leslie loved the railways and also held a passion for Portsmouth Football Club; his first railway posting was as a clerk in a goods of- fice at Fratton Park, Portsmouth near the club’s ground. Leslie – who was widowed – leaves son


Mick, daughter Janet, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.


Sylvia Snelling


SYLVIA Jean Snelling (77), who lived for 23 years in Wateringbury and before that in Maidstone for 30 years, grew up inAylesford. Shewent toAylesford Primary and Maidstone Technical School for Girls. Sylvia met her husband Mick in 1955, marrying in 1958 in a service that made national headlines because Sylvia had to ring


theWar Office to get Mick home on leave, arriving only two hours before thewedding. The couple seled in Ashford, raising children Beverley and Trevor. Son Markwas born locally. Mick said: “Sylviawas the lynchpin of her family. Shewas a fastidious homemaker. She will be sorely missed.” Sylvia leaves her husband, children, two grandchildren, two step grandchildren and one great-grandson.


Douglas Baker


DOUGLAS Baker (109), of Loose spent 54 years working at Turkey Mill, Ashford Road, Maidstone when the paper millwas open. He started as a clerk and eventually retired


as general manager. Douglas spent his whole life – apart from


hiswar 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 hewas lucky to have his job and workforce. During WorldWar II 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 closurewas blamed on the lack of demand for writing paper as telephone use became more widespread.


George Nissen


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


Andy Gray


THE funeral took place in the Scoish Borders ofAndy 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.


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


Obituaries


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