downsmail.co.uk Patrick Whelan


PATRICK Whelan (83), also known as Pat, lived in East Malling from 1976. Brought up in Fife, Scotland, he came from a mining family and was determined not to follow his father down the local pit. He started work in the RAF as a cook before a working life that took him southwards until he reached East Malling. At various points,


Patrick worked as a roustabout in a


circus, as a kitchen porter in various London hotels and as a labourer. In the 1980s, he worked as a groundsman at Mereworth Castle and as a porter at Oakwood Park Hospital. Patrick lived with his partner Maureen for many years, until her death in 2004. Patrick was a parish councillor and a founding trustee of the East Malling Centre. In 2010, his local contributions were marked with an award for services to the community. Patrick was also a member of Larkfield Community Church, where he worshipped for over 10 years. Amongst the many people he had met and befriended over the years was EastEnders actor John Altman, who he knew well enough to ask his advice on some big life decisions. Patrick leaves a niece in Scotland and one cousin in Newcastle.


David Paine


DAVID Paine (60), who has died in Gibraltar, was a well-known member of the river community. He owned and ran the boatyard in East Farleigh for 23 years before moving to Gibraltar in 2012. Born in Maidstone and brought up in Medway House, East Farleigh, David attended Maidstone


Grammar School. He spent time in the merchant navy and


drove lorries for local firms before taking on the boatyard, which had been owned by his father. David built up the business, allowing himself to adopt a range of roles, using the full range of his talents. David – an accomplished mechanic –


was known for his inventive approach. His children said: “Many of his creations are still going, including a very fast speedboat (which he retro-fitted with a V12 Jaguar car engine) and a car which had the bodywork of a Land Rover, but a powerful Cherokee engine. He built a motorbike from scratch using a Rover car engine . “He was always intrigued by people with interesting stories, many of whom he met in bars, pubs and marinas. His ‘local’ was the Victory Inn in Farleigh Lane. “Our father once transported a huge crane over East Farleigh bridge, with centimetres to spare on each side. He had crossed the English Channel a few times in his boats, darting between ferries and other vessels and he enjoyed turning heads with his controversial loud creations, fast affordable cars, and smoky boats. He said he was proud of the way he had lived his life – doing and experiencing things that other people hadn’t.” David leaves his three children – Stephen, Christine and Louise.


Bob Walters


TRIBUTES have been paid to Robert “Bob” Walters (54), a well-known local landlord who ran a number of establishments in and around Maidstone, most recently the Papermakers Arms in Upper Stone Street.


A father of four, Bob grew up in Allington and was employed as an electrician at Aylesford Paper Mills before becoming a pub landlord. His work took in many Maidstone watering holes, including The Cooper’s Cask, The Druids Arms and The Rose in Tovil. He worked for 10 years at Maidstone Snooker Club, Buckland Hill, before moving to the Style and Winch in Union Street, and later buying the lease at the Papermakers Arms


Harry Garrett


HARRY Garret (101) lived in Sevenoaks but was known locally from years spent travelling as a millinery seller. He was also highly active with the local


Poppy Appeal, having helped to raise over £60,000 in his branch of the local Royal British Legion. Harry was known to those who keep track of surviving WWII veterans and earned the nickname “Lucky Harry” because of his near misses with death. He was rescued


during the Dunkirk evacuation and met Prince Harry as one of a small band of survivors brought to an event in the wake of the 2017 film Dunkirk. Harry was honoured by Sevenoaks Town Council with a tree planting on his 100th birthday.


Patrick Cash


PATRICK “Paddy” Cash (31), from Headcorn, died after developing a rare neurological condition. The former bricklayer spent his final months in and out of medical care as doctors looked for an explanation for his condition. Patrick was living in Poole, Dorset, when he developed the first symptoms of his illness and subsequently went to hospital in London, Maidstone and Canterbury.


David Mertens


FORMER local journalist David Mertens (73) has died at his home after a battle with cancer.


Known to colleagues as “Merts,” David


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was a seasoned reporter with a track record of significant stories. His career started as an £8 a week junior reporter for the Kent Messenger and progressed to covering major news stories like The Falklands War. A notable exclusive involved David getting details of the relationship between Prince Andrew and actress Koo Stark by placing a glass against a wall and overhearing the details as Stark’s mother held a phone conversation in the next room. David was night editor on The Sun and earned a reputation as an excellent manager of others. He also became known for a catchphrase he uttered at the end of every shift; “another great day for British journalism.”


His former Sun colleague said: “David


was the ultimate professional, a perfect gentleman and the best boss you could ever hope for.”


There is no charge for our obituary service. Call Neil Nixon on 01622 630422 or email neilnixon22@gmail.com Maidstone East December 2019


Obituaries


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