downsmail.co.uk Countess Mountbaen


COUNTESS Mountbaen (93) known locally as Patricia Knatchbull or Lady Bradbourne who lived at Newhouse at Mersham, near Ashford, had much involvement in Kent life. The daughter of Lord Louis Mountbaen, Patriciawas a lady in waiting to Her Majesty the Queen and godmother to Prince Charles. After education in


Malta, theUKand New York, Patricia entered military service with the Women’s Royal Naval Service and


served in theUKand Sri Lanka. In October 1945 she married John Knatchbull 7th Baron of Brabourne. Both she and her husband held peerages and an inherited title in their own right. Lady Brabournewas a founder of Women


of Kent Luncheon – a bi-annual charity event marking achievements by women in the county. Shewas appointed deputy lieutenant of the county in 1973. Amother of eight, Lady Brabournewas


hit by tragedy when an IRA bomb killed her father, Earl Mountbaen, mother-in-law and her son Nicholas. Lady Brabournewas also aboard the boat inAugust 1979. She inherited the title of Countess Mountbaen of Burma as the result of her father’s death and became actively involved both locally and nationally with bereavement charities. Countess Mountbaen – whowas widowed in 2005 – leaves her seven surviving children and 18 grandchildren.


Malcolm Tait


MALCOLM Tait (86) lived locally from 1961 and spent his final 43 years in Barming. Malcolm spent his early life in Greenwich


andWelling andwas evacuated to Langholm, Scotland, during thewar. He worked for Cox and Kings travel agency before seing up his own company. Malcolm met his wife Eva whilst hewas completing his national service. They celebrated 60 years of marriage in 2015. He was father to Andrew and Kristina. Andrew said: “After my father retired in


1991 he became involved with a local gardening project in Yalding. He loved gardening and spent a lot of time working on the garden at home. “As his health declined, hewas less able to


pursue his passion for painting, though he continued his long involvement with Maidstone Art Society. “My fatherwas guided by strong religious principles andwas a member of the Ramblers’ Association. ” Malcolm leaves his wife, children and grandchildrenWayan, Kieran and Ian.


John Durey


WARREN Street’s John Durey (69)was known throughout the local area from his long involvement with cycle racing. He died on 5 June as a result of serious injuries sustained when hewas hit by a car whilst taking part in a cycle event on 29 May. The VC Deal cycling club stated on Facebook: “It is with great regret the club announces the sad death of club member John Durey…Our thoughts and condolences are with all his family." Johnwas a retired production engineer and


a member of the Ashford Wheelers cycling club; who cancelled an event as a mark of re- spect. John – a family man – shared his pas- sion with his son Olly; the pair raced together and Olly is now raising money for the Kent and Sussex Air Ambulance – who evacuated his father to hospital in London and gave him a chance of survival. Olly said:“Mydad has always championed


the AirAmbulance and would be very proud that the support for their brave work will con- tinue in his name.” Online, HeidiHammondnoted: “Let's hope


and pray that John willnowbe riding his bike in a better place where the sun shines all day and he is blessed with a tail wind.”


Alice Perrin


ERNESTINE Alice Perrin (95), who lived her whole life in Maidstone, worked as a self-employed home-based hairdresser for decades. Born Ernestine Ralph shewas educated locally and undertook a hairdressing apprenticeship After meeting and marrying John Erithwho worked atTurkey Mill, Tiny raised daughters Sonia and Pearl and worked as a hairdresser based in the family home on Upper Fant Road. Daughter Pearl said: "My mother com- bined bringing up her family with her work and did this for many years. “She was a real home-maker who did


everything for her family. She knitted us clothes and made other items, like coats. “Shewas very family oriented and loyal to us all. In her younger days she had loved


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dancing locally, especially during the war years." Tinywaswidowed at the age of 49 and went on to meet and marry Raymond "Ray" Perrin and the couple enjoyed going to their static caravan. They had a caravan in South- sea and, later, near Battle. DaughterPearl said:"Mymotherwas a pos-


itive person and had a wicked sense of hu- mour. She managed to stay positive even when her health declined and she remained largely housebound for the last eight years of her life. Tiny leaves her husband, her daugh- ters, five grandchildren, 12 great-grandchil- dren and six great-great grandchildren.


Mike Evans


MIKE Evans has been described as a pillar of the community in the village of Leeds. His local parish magazine noted: “The tragedy is that his workwas still in full flow when he suddenly died.” Mike and his wife Judi served in a number


of roles for St Margaret’s Church. Hewas a long-serving member of Leeds and Broomfield’s Parochial Church Council and his annual duties included management of the carol service, helping with their book sale and running theweekly café in the porch. Mike had experience from a business


career that also proved valuable to his community work and he managed advertising sales for Leeds and Broomfield Church and Village News. As a local author, he had wrien The


Upper Len Valley and the World Outside, which was featured in the village news magazine. Mike’s knowledge of local history also led to him writing other articles for the local magazine. His passing has also been marked by


Mike’s local branch of the Royal British Legion who described him as a “stalwart member” who “will be greatly missed.” Mike leaves his wife and family.


DorisWilliams


DORISWilliams (95)was resident at Holly Villas, Bearsted, from 1971 and lived in the local area for most of her life. Born Doris Griffin, near Bredhurst, she


worked as a nanny before retraining as a nurse, serving in this capacity during the war at hospitals in Bromley and the Medway Towns. Doris married Roy


and together they brought up children Pauline, Adrian and Brian. The family lived inWigmore and Chatham before Doris and Roy moved near Bredgar for a


couple of years, before seling in Bearsted. Brian said: “My motherwas a fairly quiet person whowas always very helpful to others. “She maintained her nursing skills by working as a volunteer over many years for the Red Cross and also worked at Twyford House, whichwas part of Linton Hospital, where she worked with people who had significant disabilities. Shewas also passionate about gardening.”


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