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home kilmington historyobituaries

PETER DARE - OVER 500 PEOPLE HONOUR HIM

 

Farmers, relatives and friends from a wide area assembled in Kilmington on Thursday 15th December to give thanks for the life of Peter Dare whose family had farmed in the Village since the 1500’s.   Well known throughout the land as a real Devon country farmer whose knowledge of sheep and cattle was second to none, his sparkling personality, great sense of fun, fondness of skittles and local hostelries made him popular wherever he went.   A loving family man, devoted to his wife Monica and his large family, his astute mind and vast experience enabled him to run a very successful business. Although a very busy man, he served on the Kilmington Parish Council for many years where his contributions were always valued.  Unfortunately he was diagnosed with cancer nearly two years ago but after a lot of debilitating treatment which he bore with great courage and determination, he finally succumbed on 5 December aged 71 years.   Monica ensured that his last few months were packed with outings with friends  and activities which he clearly enjoyed, his skittles team, for example, always brought “the Colonel” as they called him along even if sometimes he was not fit enough to play.

 

The Parish Church of St Giles’ where he used to worship was packed out, with many having to stand for the Service conducted by the Rev’d Alastair McCollum.   Furthermore, the Village Hall was also filled to capacity with many also having to stand.   Even the Cudmore Room, overlooking the Hall, had to be used to accommodate 30 plus people.   Tributes were given by Dr John Church and local farmer/Chairman of the Parish Council, Michael Collier, during which numerous tales about Pete caused much amusement.  Andy Meads spoke about how well Pete had welcomed him and the other sons and daughters-in-law into the family and he ended with a very appropriate poem entitled “Perhaps”.   Michael Marsh gave the Bible reading and the Vicar’s Address added to the tributes with copious compliments about Pete.   A large number attended the internment, after which refreshments were enjoyed in the Village Hall and the marquee which only just managed to cope with the huge numbers present.   After Pete’s favourite tipple (whiskey) or a glass of port was served, every one joined hands and sang Auld Lang Syne in memory of a great character who was loved by all, some continuing into the late evening.  This “Kilmington Giant Oak” as John Church described him, will long remain in the memory of all who knew him.

Brian Lavender

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOM FOWLER - BORN & BRED IN KILMINGTON

 

On 28th April, at the age of 90, Tom Fowler died in Canada.  He was born and bred in Kilmington, living in Silver Street before moving into 7 The Orchard in 1950 when it was first built by the old Rural Council.

Tom was brother-in-law to Mabel, who still lives in the house in Silver Street, and uncle to Marie Thorne who actually lives at number 8 next door to Tom and Kath’s old home.  Tom would have been 91 on May 20th (Marie’s birthday also).

Tom was a lifelong friend of my mother Lily.  I remember him putting up the outer doors on our house, which came from Coryton Park when they took down the big wing in the early fifties.  Tom, as all old Kilmingtonians know, was a very good carpenter.

Tom, Kath and their children, David and Susan, left for Canada (Kath was Canadian and came over during the war) in 1952.  We always kept in contact.  Tom went to live with Susan a few years ago when Kath died but he was buried back at Fonthill, Canada.

God bless Susan and family, God bless all those who knew Tom and his family left here in Kilmington.

Sandra Ward

 

 

 

LT-COL RONALD DOWDEN

Col. Dowden's Obituary appeared in the Daily Telegraph on 20th February 2011.

 

To read it please click here.

 

Col. Dowden also wrote some articles for Post-script Magazine in 2002 which made fascinating reading about his life in the army during the war and afterwards.  The articles can be seen below.

 

Life in the Army

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

 

 

 

MICHAEL FOSTER

 

A Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Michael Foster was held in St Giles’ Church on 7th July 2010, conducted by the Rev’d Alastair McCollum.  The Church was full and the congregation included several Vicars and organists with whom he had been associated over his many years as a renowned organist in various Churches, latterly the Minster Church in Axminster.  His widow, Elizabeth, was joined by members of both their families, some of whom had travelled from New Zealand where Michael and Elizabeth lived for a number of years.  The Vicar paid tribute to Michael’s talent and life and commended Elizabeth for the way she dedicated herself to looking after him during his five years of severe ill health.  The Kilmington Branch of the Royal British Legion sent a poppy wreath in recognition of his service with the Royal Army Medical Corps and many years of membership with the Branch;  the Exhortation in his memory, and of those Service personnel recently killed in Afghanistan, was led by Branch Chairman, Brian Lavender.  David Whitney, Elizabeth’s son read “He is Gone” by D. Hankins, and thanked everyone for their messages of sympathy and for attending the Service.

 

Brian Lavender

 

 

ARCHIBALD FRANK PAPE M.B.E

 

A Thanksgiving Service was held for Frank Pape after he died peacefully in his sleep at home in Kilmington aged 101 years, only 5 months after the death of his wife Muriel, aged 100 years, and 7 days after attending the Remembrance Sunday Service at the War Memorial.  St Giles’ Church was full on Thursday 26th November for the Thanksgiving Service conducted by the Rev’d Alastair McCollum.  A Tribute on his remarkable life was given by his son Colin Pape MBE DL and Readings were given by his grandsons and granddaughter.  Frank served as an equipment officer in the RAF with Bomber Command during World War II from 1941-46 where he was twice Mentioned in Despatches and awarded the MBE before resuming a long career as a bank manager.  He was well known in the West Country excelling at rugby, cricket and hockey and he rode with 13 packs of hounds hunting throughout Devon and Somerset. He retired to Kilmington in 1969 becoming Welfare Officer and President of the Royal British Legion (Kilmington Branch).

 

Brian Lavender

 

HARRY PRICE

 

Well known throughout the Five Alive Mission Community because of his years with the St Giles’ Church Choir, his thespian activities with the Shute Theatre and Arts Guild which he served as both Chairman and President and as Secretary of the Kilmington Branch of the Royal British Legion, Harry Price died on Sunday 8th February 2009 at the Silverleigh Care Home in Axminster, aged 88 years.  While studying Law at university at the outbreak of the Second World War, as a member of the Territorial Army, he was drafted into the British Army.  He trained as a gunner in the Royal Artillery and he took part in Operation Avalanche, the Allied Landings at Salerno, Italy, in September 1943.  He was badly injured in the shoulder after nine days of fighting but went on to fight in the successful campaign with Montgomery’s 8th Army against Rommel’s forces in the North African Desert.  When hostilities in Europe were over, he was sent to Klagenfurt in southern Austria and effectively became Mayor of the town in the rank of Captain while order was restored.  It was here that he took up skiing and Harry was still going on skiing holidays up to the age of 80 years.  He resumed his law studies after he left the Army and practised as a solicitor for most of his career.  Susan Moore and he became great companions and she gave him tremendous support after his stroke some 7 years ago.  He will be greatly missed in the local community.

 

 

Brian Lavender

 

BAZIL GOSLING

 

Well known Kilmington character “Baz” Gosling died peacefully in hospital on 3rd March 2009, aged 83 years.  A raconteur, whose memory of Kilmington history and that of the surrounding area, he will be greatly missed.  Born in Kilmington at Vealhayes, the only child of Walter and Mary, they moved to Lussac Cottage from where he only had to walk a few steps to Kilmington Primary School for his education and to the Church.  He worked as a postman for a number of years, then as a driver for Cox and Harris in Axminster delivering paraffin which was the primary source of heat and light in the Village years ago. He was a delivery man for Hurfords Stores and also did a good job for the Cricket Club by cutting the playing field and gardening for many people in Kilmington.  He never married and was fiercely independent, pouring his affection on his animals, his cats in particular.  He loved the countryside and this came through in a recording played at his Funeral Service in St Giles’ Church on 12th  March during which the Vicar paid tribute to Baz and summed up his life so well.  It was moving to hear Baz’s voice on the recording, and when he sang “I met Connie in the cornfield” one thought that there must have been some romance in his life!  Relatives and friends met in the Old Inn afterwards to reminisce about him.

 

Brian Lavender