Mr C T Davies

Pembroke

MR Clifford Thomas Davies of Upper Lamphey Road, Pembroke, passed away peacefully at home on September 6 with his family around him. He was 87.

Clifford was brought up in Pembroke Dock, living for some of his infant years on “The Warrior”, the iron warship now restored at Portsmouth when it was moored at Llanion. His family then moved to Church Street.

He attended Llanion School, the Coronation School and then the Grammar School.

He had vivid memories of air raid drills during his time at the Grammar School.

In 1945 he entered Trinity College Carmarthen to train as a teacher. After college he completed his National Service, which he served mainly in Gibraltar.

When he returned home he joined the Air Training Corp becoming a Pilot Officer.

His love of flying continued in later life as he joined the South West Wales Gliding Club at Withybush in 1971 and became an instructor in 1976.

He was a member of the Penvro Amateur Dramatic Society and later St Michael’s Church Dramatic Society taking part in plays and pantomimes. He loved riding motorbikes and often in his younger days went with his friends to motorcycling racing circuits to watch the races taking place.

His first teaching post was at Angle School, first travelling by bus from Pembroke Dock and then on his motor cycle. He then transferred to Pennar Junior School and it was here that he met his future wife Mavis, who was teaching at Pennar Infant School. Later in his career he became assistant teacher at Orielton School.

Mavis and Clifford were married in 1960 and had two children, Elizabeth and John.

They had 55 happy years together.

In 1972 Clifford became Head Teacher at Orielton School and remained there until his retirement in 1988.

Just before he retired from work he decided to start a degree with the Open University in Computer Science and was awarded Bachelor of Arts in 1991.

For all the things Clifford achieved in his lifetime the most important thing to him was his family to whom he was devoted. Clifford was the rock on which they all built their lives. He was always calm, kind, thoughtful and loving.

The funeral service was held at Parc Gwyn. The principal mourners were Mavis (wife), Elizabeth and Chris (daughter and son-in-law), John and Jacqui (son and daughter-in-law), Jemma (granddaughter, unable to attend). Other relatives and friends attended the funeral but are too numerous to mention.

The service was officiated by the Venerable Graham Davies and Canon Roy Doxey.

A reading was given “A Reflection on an Autumn Day”

by Chris Griffiths (son-inlaw) and the eulogy read by the Venerable Graham Davies. The bearers were John Davies (son), Chris Griffiths (son-in-law,) Stephen Williams and Gary Williams (wife’s cousins).

Donations to the Pembrokeshire Branch of the Parkinson’s Disease Society to John Roberts and Son, 51 Bush Street Pembroke Dock SA72 6AN.

 

Mr G C Thomas

Tenby

GWYNNE Channing Thomas, known as Chan died on September 30 at Glangwili Hospital, Carmarthen, he had lung cancer. His wife Carol and daughter and son Shelley and Rob were at his side. He was 82.

Chan is survived by his wife Carol, his daughter Shelley and her husband John and their daughter Lucy, his son Robert (Jazzy) and his wife Maria, and their children Alanya and Harry, his stepdaughter Rebecca, her partner Richard, and her son Vincent, also many nieces and nephews cousins and very many close friends.

Chan was so very proud of the achievements of both his children and grandchildren.

Chan was born in Llanelli, at two days old returned with his mother to the family home, The Delphi Hotel and Garage, South Parade, Tenby, where he had a wonderful childhood with his sister Marlene.

Chan attended school in Tenby and then at St Michaels in Llanelli, and the sixth form back in Tenby at Greenhill Grammar School, followed by two years national service mostly spent in Oswestry.

As a school boy and young man his speed and performance on the rugby field became legendary.

As a young man he worked for his father in the garage on South Parade, Tenby and with his grandfather in the woollen mill and shop called Channings in Llandysul.

In 1963 Chan married Jill from Penclawdd and bought the business the Jazz Sweet Shop on White Lion Street, Tenby. Shelley and Rob were born and the family enjoyed many happy years growing up and socialising in the heart of the Tenby community, being very involved with the Round Table and other organisations in the area and golf became Chan’s game with many years as a member of Tenby Golf Club and he was privileged to serve as both Captain in the year 2000 and President in 2012.

In the 1980’s Chan and Jill divorced and remained friends.

Then Chan met Carol, Saundersfoot potter and widow of the late Piet Brinton.

Chan and Carol married in 1988 at St John’s Church, Tenby and had many happy years running the pottery, travelling extensively, playing the game of golf and enjoying the company of a wide circle of friends.

The service of celebration for the life of Chan was held at St Johns United Reformed and Methodist Church, Tenby, followed by a service at the Parc Gwyn. It was officiated by Reverend Nanette Lewis-Head, past minister at St John’s and personal friend.

The bearers were Chan’s son Rob Thomas, his son-inlaw John Morris, his sister Marlene’s son Jonathan Boot and her grandson Henry Boot, her son-in-law Ian Duffy and her grandson Eddie Duffy.

Donations can be made to Cancer Research and/or the Padarn Ward, Glangwilli Hospital C/O W and M J Rossiter and Sons, The Old Rectory, Tenby.

 

Mrs B M Higgs

Pembroke Dock

MRS Brenda May Higgs, of Meyrick Street, Pembroke Dock passed away at the age of 94 on September 19 at Withybush Hospital.

Brenda May Turner who was born at Whitehall, Cresselly village on May 7, 1922.

She was the youngest of four girls born to Frederick James Turner and Martha Ann Morris and although the youngest, she was probably the most feisty of the four.

In 1930 the family moved to The Stores in Cresselly village, and her father became the village baker, eventually Brenda took charge of the grocery shop and ran it with a firm but fair hand.

During the war she even worked as a signal-woman at the signal box at Saundersfoot Railway Station.

Her life took a turn for the better when Charles Higgs came into it. Although a few years older than her, he guided her like a father-figure and they made the complete couple. Their son Graham was born at Cresselly in 1950 and after the stores had been severely damaged by a fire, the family decided to up sticks and move back to Pembroke Dock, where her father had started his working life 47 years before.

They lived in Meyrick Street together with Graham and their second son Kevin, who was born in 1952.

Because she was a loving daughter to her parents Fred and Martha Ann, she welcomed them into her home, settled down to a happy family life and took care of them until the end of their days.

Her life was all about her family. She was devoted to Graham and Kevin and to her husband Charlie.

Not content with being normal householders, Brenda and Charlie went into the licensing trade and became host and hostess at several pubs and clubs in Pembroke Dock. Brenda was in her element behind the bar in all of them and she made lots of new friends.

They first started their new life at the Queen’s Hotel, then moved in turn to the Edinburgh, the Alexandra, the Three Crowns, the Three Tuns, the RAFA Club, and the Royal Engineer’s Club.

During this period Brenda and Charlie were two of the towns most loved characters, thanks to their friendly and welcoming approach to all those who received their hospitality.

When they had had enough of running a pub, they settled down with Gampy Turner in a house in Queen Street, near the centre of town.

After the marriages of both sons, and the passing of Gampy in his 97th year, they moved back to Meyrick Street, where Brenda spent her last days after the passing of her dear husband Charles in 2000.

Brenda was an inspiration to her family and a friend to dozens of Pembroke Dock folk. Her sense of humour came through in many ways and she was a determined, but lovable person who brought happiness to those around her. She will be sadly missed but always remembered by all those whose lives she touched.

The family left to mourn are Kevin, Janet, grandsons Adam and Alistair Higgs, Graham and Ala Higgs, Alex and Anya Higgs.

The service took place at Pisgah Baptist Chapel, Cresswell Quay on September 11 followed by interment in the Chapel Cemetery and was officiated by Reverend Norman Gilbert.

Donations for the Parkinsons Society c/o E C Thomas and Son, Zoar Chapel Funeral Home, Llanteg, Narberth SA67 8QH who carried out the funeral arrangements.

 

Mrs B Thomas

Formerly of Camrose

MRS Betty Thomas passed away peacefully at Fairfield Nursing Home, Johnston on August 16. She was 89.

Betty was a native of Manchester and at the age of 14 she was evacuated with her twin brothers to Macclesfield.

Towards the end of the war Betty joined the Womens Land Army and was stationed at Solbury Hostel, Haverfordwest. During the two years Betty was there she met John, her husband.

They married in 1948 and made their home in Camrose where they had 44 happy years, together raising a son and twin daughters. Betty worked as secretary for the family agricultural business.

Betty with her husband was an active member of the Saundersfoot and District Motor Cycle Club, where she served refreshments at the Motor Cycle Scramble meetings.

Betty fostered young children for eleven years. Betty was an avid member of the Women’s Land Army Association.

They had many memorable reunions. She was also a member of the British Legion and an active member of Camrose Church in years gone by.

Betty also enjoyed cooking, knitting and many holidays she had with her husband John.

The family left to mourn are Antony and Julie (son and daughter-in-law); Cherry and Geoff (daughter and son-inlaw); Denise and Bill (daughter and son-in-law); Gayle and husband Nigel, Lucie and partner Neil; Tom and partner Jemma (grandchildren); Charlie and Seth (great grandsons) plus many family members and friends.

The bearers were Gayle and Nigel Clark, Lucie Jones, Thomas Jones, Tony Thomas and Nigel Williams.

The service was held at St Ishmael’s Church, Camrose and interment at Wolfsdale Cemetery. The organist was Mrs Sue Watts.

Donations in aid of St Ishmaels Church, Camrose and Alzheimer’s Association being received by Mr G Flood.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Roy Folland and Sons, of Haverfordwest.

 

Mrs M V James

Pembroke Dock

THE funeral took place on September 25 at St Johns Church, Pembroke Dock of Megan Victoria James who died peacefully at her home on September 14.

Megan was predeceased by her husband William and three of her sons, David, Tony and Michael.

As a young girl she was brought up in Military Road, Pennar, and later married and moved to the Quay in Pembroke, until she moved back to Pembroke Dock.

Her six grandchildren were bearers Mark, Glen, Neil, Jamie, Wayne and Hannah.

Megan leaves to mourn seven children John, Ken and Dawn, Brian, Margaret and Michael, Hyden and Rowena, Monica and Jonathan, Linda and Nigel and daughter-in-law Stella, 25 grandchildren, great grandchildren and great, great, grandchildren.

Donations for Cancer Research c/o E.C. Thomas and Son, Funeral Directors, Zoar Chapel Funeral Home, Llanteg, Narberth SA67 8QH,who also carried out the funeral arrangements.