downsmail.co.uk John Gosbee


JOHN Gosbee (78) who died in Dorset on Boxing Day will be remembered for his two decades as headmaster of Troiscliffe Primary School. Born in Arundel, Sussex, John did national service in Cyprus and went to art college and teacher training college before moving to Kent. His homes between 1969 and 1996 included time in Rochester, Maidstone andWest Malling. He retired from teaching and left the area in


1996 to live in Dorset. Johnwas husband to Janet and father to


Susie, who said: “My dadwas incredibly well-read and had an exceptional level of general knowledge. His passion for art stayed with him and he worked constantly in his studio at the house in Dorset, took part in open studio days and sold some works.A number of people have contacted us since his death to say the presence of his art in their homes will be a reminder of him. “He never lost his love of learning. After


his retirement he completed an Open University degree.And he will be remembered for his sense of humour, which stayed with him until the very end.” John – whowas widowed in 2004 – leaves


his daughter, son-in-law Ben and grandchildren Samuel and Jacob.


TonyWelsh


ANTHONY“Tony” FrancisWelsh (79) lived in Allington for about 35 years, having returned to the area where he grew up after spending several years following his nursing career in Birmingham. Tony had earlier lived in Boughton Monchelsea and served out his national service. He completed his nursing training locally and moved to Birmingham before finishing his career locally. Tonywas married to Hazel for 54 years


andwas father to Deborah, Julian and Andrew. Hazel said: “Tony worked as a charge nurse at Leybourne Hospital andwas a quiet person. “Hewas also very giving to others and


involved in a number of local charities, including the local air ambulance, the Woodland Trust andwas often in aendance at events involving the Royal British Legion. “Hewas also a foster parent for many


years. Whilst fosteringwas mainly my work, Tonywas always involved and helping. He loved historical things to do with the military and had visited and enjoyed the ImperialWar Museum’s collection of aircraft at Duxford many times. Tony’s other loves included gardening and cycling.” Tony leaves his wife, children and grandchildren Charlie, Arthur, Olive and Bey.


John Harrisson


THE death of John Harrisson has drawn tributes from a number of local people. Johnwas a partner with the Hobbs Parker Group based in Ashford and Tenterden and a Fellow of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. Hewas also a player and administrator in local rugby who had served Maidstone Rugby Club for many years,


serving as president of the club from 1985 to 1989. Locally born and educated, John joined the firm of E J Parker after national service in 1946. The firm became Hobbs Parker. John worked at the Maidstone office and lived in Loose until moving to Tenterden. Maidstone Rugby Club said on their


website: “Hewas a mainstay as a player in the club, particularly in the post-war years. At the time of the club’s centenary in 1980 he had only shortly ended his playing career which had spanned four decades. He went on to become president of the club following the establishment of the league system.” John leaves his wife Edna, daughters


Sarah and Elizabeth, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.


Ann Siddons


ANNSiddons (72) of RiversWalk, Lenham, who died in Maidstone Hospital on January 10, had becomewell-known for her campaigning and research into potential dangers in the workplace. Annwas the daughter ofWalterWard and widow of Henry “Harry” Siddons. Both men had worked at the Marley factory in Lenham, andAnnwas convinced that problems with dust, in particular asbestos dust,were central to their deaths. Her campaign drew local aention when


she appeared in the press last year in search of others who may have experienced similar health problems within their family.


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Ann’s death came after a bale with mesolthelioma, a cancer which is usually linked to exposure to asbestos dust.Ann – whowas diagnosed inAugust 2015 – believed the regular shaking out and washing of overalls belonging to her father and her husband had been a cause of her health problems.


James Clinch


THE death in Newcastle-upon-Tyne has been announced of James Clinch (89). Locally born and educated, James left Maidstone Grammar School to complete national service in the RAF and study Chemistry at Jesus College, Cambridge before embarking on a career as an industrial chemist. After jobs in Ilford and Bristol, he returned in 1964 to Maidstone, living in Willington Street, where he worked for a decade atW&R


Balston specialist paper making firm before redundancy and being offered a post teaching Chemistry at Maidstone Grammar School. He moved to Leeds village in 1982. Jameswas married for over 60 years to


Anne andwas father to Katie, Christopher and Lucy. Hewas the founding conductor of what is now the City of Rochester Symphony Orchestra, from 1969 to 1995 and hewas also an accomplished oboist. Christopher said: “My father showed


prowess at any challenge he took on, earning respect from all for his efforts." He also helped with the choir at Saint Nicholas Church, Otham and served the church in a number of roles, including that of secretary. James is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren Emma and Hannah.


Peter Brion


PETER Brion (76) lived in Maidstone his whole life, the last 35 years in Senacre Wood with his previous homes including Dover Street andWaterlow Road where hewas born. He studied at Vinters Boys’ School leaving to start the first of two stints at Trebor Sharp in Maidstone. Peter’s working life also took in work for J. Muirhead’s frozen food business in Sevenoaks and work for SunrocWater Coolers in Marden.


He finished his working life with the post of caretaker at Senacre Primary School. Peterwas father to Kevin, Nicola, Lesley, Rebecca and David. Nicola said: “My father loved finding out


about thewar; he read books on the subject andwatched loads ofwar films. Hewas an all-round family man, a good dad and a good friend to those he knew. “He completed a number of longwalks to


raise money.” He leaves his wife Izobel, children, 12 grandchildren and three great- grandchildren.


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Obituaries


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