downsmail.co.uk TonyWelsh


ANTHONY“Tony” FrancisWelsh (79) lived in Allington for about 35 years, having returned to the area 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. “Hewas a quiet person and very giving to


others, Hewas involved in the local air ambulance, the Woodland Trust andwas often in aendance at events involving the Royal British Legion. “Hewas a foster parent for many years.


Whilst fosteringwas mainly my work, Tony was always involved and helping. He loved historical things to do with the military. Tony’s other loves included gardening and cycling.” Tony leaves his wife, children and grandchildren Charlie, Arthur, Olive and Bey.


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 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. He studied at Vinters Boys’ School before working at Trebor Sharp in Maidstone. He also worked for J. Muirhead’s frozen food business in Sevenoaks and SunrocWater Coolers in Marden. He finished his working life as 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 a good dad and a good friend to those he knew. He also completed a number of charitywalks.” He leaves his wife Izobel, children, 12 grandchildren and three great- grandchildren.


Ann Siddons


ANNSiddons (72) of RiversWalk, Lenham, who died in Maidstone Hospital on January 10,waswell-known for her campaigning and research into dangers in the workplace. Shewas the daughter ofWalterWard and widow of Henry “Harry” Siddons, both of whom had worked at the Marley factory in Lenham.Annwas convinced that asbestos dust contributed to their deaths. She appeared in the press last year in


search of others who had had similar health problems within their family. Ann died from mesolthelioma, a cancer


which is usually linked to exposure to asbestos dust. She believed the regular shaking out andwashing of overalls belonging to her father and her husband had been a cause of her health problems.


Edna Tree


EDNAMargaret Tree (94) lived in Woodford Road, Maidstone, for 50 years and Whitmore Street for 20 years.


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34 Born near Deal, she started work in a shop


when thewar broke out and she began six years in the Women’s LandArmy with a posting at a farm near East Farleigh. She saw butcher’s boy Ron Tree when she passed his shop and the couple married in 1942.


Edna moved locally and worked on the


land until the birth of her first child, Valerie. Shewas also mother to Andrew. Valerie Hare said: “My mother brought us


up but also worked on local farms. One farm she worked onwas Court Lodge Farm at East Farleigh. She aended Swanley Agricultural College andwas an excellent gardener.Myfather won an award for Maidstone’s best allotment and after he died my mother took over the allotment and won the same award. “My mother also did cleaning work, including at Maidstone College of Art and the old Post Office Headquarters. She retired at the age of 65. “She worshipped at the Methodist Church


on the Tonbridge Road and in her final days in a care home, shewas a member of a Bible study group. Shewas an excellent baker, made lots of jam and helped charities, including working in the Blackthorn Trust’s shop.” Edna – whowas widowed in 1992 – leaves


her children, grandchildren Timothy and Christopher and great-grandchildren Thomas, Katie, Sophie and James.


Dave Coomber


DAVID “Dave” Coomber (78) lived locally all his life, spending the last 25 years in Madginford, and before that in Shepway. Davewas born one of twins in a family of 13 children. He began training as a glazier at the age of 15 before three years of national service. In his military career, he witnessed at least three nuclear tests on Christmas Island in the Pacific Ocean. Dave married his childhood sweetheart,


Janet, in 1960 and worked for local glazing firms before seing up Southern Glass with his son David, who still runs it today. Dave was also father to Sharon, Mandy and Sally. Janet said: “Dave worked all over the local


area and further away, including installing glass in the archway at 10 Downing Street, after itwas blown out by an IRA bomb. “He loved coarse fishing and had been all


over the local area including Chart Lakes, The Mallards and Lavender Lakes. People will remember him as happy and full of life, someone who enjoyed a joke and loved his family.We loved caravanning and when Dave got too ill for that he still really enjoyed walking our two dogs in Mote Park, where he chaed to everyone he met.” Dave leaves his wife, children, 11 grandchildren and seven great- grandchildren. He is also survived by his twin, Bernie, who also lives in Bearsted.


There is no charge for our obituary service. Call Neil Nixon on 01622 630422 or email nlnxn@aol.com Maidstone March 2017


Obituaries


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