Obituaries, February 29th 2012

Neyland

The death occurred at Withybush Hospital on 29 January of James Michael Grimes John, known as Mike.

The well-attended funeral took place at Parc Gwyn Crematorium on February 7th. The service was officiated by Rev. Nicholas Cale and funeral arrangements made by Glyn Thomas, Freystrop.

A tribute was given by Mike’s grandson, Bertie Brown. There were family flowers only but donations for Withybush, Ward 10 are accepted by Mr Glynne Tidmarsh, Bank Cottage, Little Honeyborough.

Mike was born in Staffordshire but moved to Neyland when his father, Cecil John, was appointed headmaster of Neyland Primary School.

Mike joined the staff of the New School, Haverfordwest in 1952 and remained there until his retirement some 30 years later. Described by his peers as a brilliant teacher, he enjoyed his teaching career immensely.

He married Marion in 1956. They have one daughter, Penny. His lifelong passions were rugby, boats and his dogs.

He is survived by Marion (wife), Penny and Julian Brown (daughter and son-in-law), Bertie Brown (grandson) and many Llangwm relatives.

A big man with a huge personality who will be sorely missed by many.

Mr C C (Charlie) Garton

Neyland

The death of Charlie Garton (as he was known to many) occurred peacefully at his home “Mount Pleasant”, Mastlebridge, Milford Haven, on Wednesday February 1st following a short illness.

He was brought up in both Marble Hall and Pill areas of Milford Haven, being the fourth and youngest child of Florence & Cyril Garton.

On leaving school, Charlie went to work for the Local Authority as a gardener before becoming a delivery driver for several years for C & G Concrete, a job which took him around the county meeting and making many lasting friends.

For the past 31 years he had worked in the family construction business of L Greggain & Co Ltd which was founded by his wife’s late father.

Charlie had been married to Wendy for 36 years and they were always known for being together. He had a love of the country and animals. He was a member of Dyfed Poultry Society, and after keeping chickens and ducks he became more involved in the society and for the past many years had been Show Manager at both the Winter and the Pembrokeshire County Show and was well known to everyone.

In the past few years he and Wendy had bought a parcel of land, on which they had kept sheep, reared cattle, Shetland ponies and his horse Hercs. He also enjoyed working on his vintage tractors restoring them to their former glory.

Charlie loved life and was always smiling and cracking jokes. He was well known for being shrewd and for finding a bargain. He was happy around everyone and could hold a conversation with anyone who would want to talk. He had a special rapport with children, who often came just to spend time with him. He was a happy, smiling person who most people have described as being “a true gent”.

Left to mourn are Wendy Garton (wife), Marion & Gareth Jones, Marjorie & Jack Jenkins (sisters and brothers-in law), Jean Garton (sister-in-law unable to attend), John & Jane Greggain (brother-in-law & wife), Trudy & Stephen Tucker (sister-in law and husband) Mrs P Griffiths (cousin) along with many nephews, nieces and cousins, aunts & uncles. His brother Alan had preceded him only in August last year.

Both St Clements Church, Neyland and Parc Gwyn crematorium where filled to capacity on Tuesday February 8th for the funeral services which were officiated by the Rev A Chadwick. Mr Richard Summons a family friend gave a very moving and humorous eulogy at the church on some of Charlie’s characteristics.

The bearers where Nicholas Greggain, Alan Griffiths, Robbie Summons & Richard Summons.

There where immediate family flowers only, but donations in lieu for the Paul Satori Foundation can be sent to Mrs Trudy Tucker Honeyborough House, Honeyborough, Neyland.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Tom Newing & Sons Ltd, Milford Haven.

MR.W.W.R.STEWARD

Milford Haven

The death of Mr.Walter (Wally) William Rimmer Steward occurred on 9th February at Fairfield Nursing Home, Johnston. He was a native of Milford Haven having been born in Point House, Hakin Point, moving to Richmond House, Great North Road when a young boy. After serving as a Chief Petty Officer in the Royal Navy he returned to Milford and along with his wife, Maisie worked in the Head Post Office. In the 1950’s they bought the Sub Post Office in North Road which they ran together for over thirty years until retiring in 1983. In was while at the Post Office that they became well known, touching the lives of many generations. Wally was predeceased by Maisie in 2005.

Mr.Steward leaves to mourn – Vivienne and David Barrat (Daughter and Son-in-Law), Jonathan Davies (Grandson), Matthew and Claire Davies (Grandson and Wife), Alex, Lianna Maisie and Arron Davies (Great Grandchildren).

The funeral took place at St.Katharine & St.Peter’s Church on 17th February, followed by cremation at Parc Gwyn, Narberth. Canon John Davies officiated assisted by Rev.J.Jenkins and Rev.D.Reed. The lesson was read by Rev.B.Lewis.

The bearers were – Jonathan and Matthew Davies (Grandsons) and Laurence Campfield (Nephew).

Principal mourners were – Vivienne and David Barrat (Daughter and Son-in-Law), Jonathan Davies (Grandson) Matthew and Claire Davies (Grandson and wife), Chloris and Bill Lewis (Niece and husband) Laurence Campfield (Nephew) and relatives and friends too numerous to mention.

There were family flowers only but donations for RNLI (Hakin Branch) and St.Katharine and St.Peter’s Church can be forwarded to Mrs.Marion Sizer, Hillcrest, Great North Road, Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire. SA73 2LE The funeral arrangements were carried out by Tom Newing and Sons, Milford Haven.

Mr S.K.Wonnacott

Hakin, Milford Haven

The death occurred at Withybush Hospital on February 2nd of Mr Sidney Kenneth Wonnacott (Kenny). He was born on November 11th 1925 at Hakin Point, one of eight children of the late Sidney and Annie Wonnacott (nee Brace).

Ken joined the Navy at 17, and served in World War II. He sailed on the Arctic Convoys and was present in the Normandy Landings. When the war ended he became a lobster fisherman and sailed up to Aberystwyth where he caught the love of his life, Gwen. They married in 1951 and celebrated their Diamond anniversary last year. Ken was a founder member of Milford Haven RFC, helping to build the original club in the 1960's. He was a stalwart committee member, becoming Chairman and later a trustee of the club. He is survived by wife Gwen, daughter Heather and sons Kenny and Ralph, nine grandchildren and seven great grandchildren and his brother Sidwyn. Principle mourners were wife Gwen, daughter and husband Heather and Geoff, son and wife Kenny and Jill, son and wife Ralph and Norma, brother and wife Sidwyn and Marion, and grandchildren and partners Lydia and Bruce, Matt and Kelly, Natasha and Tom, Kelly and Ant, Mark and Kim, Lindsey, Kate, Sophie and Matt, and Daniel. Bearers were grandsons Mark Wonnacott and Matthew Blakey, and grandsons in law Bruce Curtis, Tom Johnson and Anthony Paines and great friend and ex Wales Coach Gareth Jenkins. The service was held at St Marys Church, which was filled to overflowing, such was the high esteem in which he was held, and the service was conducted by Rev.Bill Lewis, followed by interment at Milford Cemetery. There were family flowers only with donations in lieu to Cancer Research which may be sent to Mrs Margaret Jones 113 Waterloo Road, Hakin, Milford Haven.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Tom Newing and Sons.

MISS HANNAH GWILLIAM

BURTON (formerly Hampton, Middlesex)

A service in celebration of the life of Hannah Gwilliam took place on February 3rd at St. Mary’s Church Burton, officiated by the Rev Marianne Osborne and attended by some 700 people followed by a private service at Parc Gwyn Crematorium.

Eulogies were read by Mr John Parsons (uncle) and Bethan Davies, Steffi Campbell, Lauren Thomas and Llawella Scale (friends). A poem was read by Cath Brooks (aunt) and a specially written poem by Dr Jim Brockbank (family friend). A guitar solo was played by Richard Asquith (family friend). The bearers were Matthew and Ben Parsons (cousins), Chris Evans (cousin-in-law) and Tiv Thomas (family friend).

The principal mourners were Ann and Roy Gwilliam (mother and father), Tom Gwilliam (brother), Joan Tully (grandmother) and other family members too numerous to mention but special thanks to family and friends who travelled from home and abroad.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Tom Newing & Sons, Milford Haven and refreshments after the church service were provided by the Jolly Sailor, Burton.

Aged 18, Hannah was born in Hampton, Middlesex in 1993. She attended Carlisle Infants and Hampton Hill Junior Schools from which Hannah developed into a truly rounded individual interested in drawing, music, dance, sport, eager to learn and able to handle any challenge thrown at her.

The Gwilliam family returned to Pembrokeshire in 2003 where Hannah attended Burton School. Hannah enjoyed many years playing for Burton Rangers Girls football club with her best friends and classmates. At Tasker Milward School, she took a keen interest in amateur dramatics and dancing, taking part in school and Haverfordwest Operatic Society shows. She played for Haverfordwest Ladies Hockey Club, netball, and enjoyed all forms of watersports and loved to go surfing at Newgale and Freshwater West. Music was an important part of Hannah's life and she had become an accomplished guitarist and was no stranger to the music festival scene.

She also took part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme and was a high achiever at school. As Deputy Head Girl she enjoyed organising the Sixth Form Ball, Leavers Yearbook and the Sixth Form Girls summer holiday. A born leader she was always organising parties and gatherings. She loved cooking and was a great fundraiser through selling cakes, sponsored fun runs, bike rides and as recently as Boxing Day she entered the Tenby swim in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust with her close pals.

Hannah had a great love and respect for nature. She loved living in Pembrokeshire and exploring the coast. Skomer Island was her favourite place and seals and puffins the focal point of her interest. She loved photography and was a frequent visitor and supporter of the Seal Sanctuary in Milford.

Her love of art manifested itself in cartoons, sketches, paintings, sculptures, poetry and anything else she could create with her mind and her hands. She achieved A* in A Level Art at Pembrokeshire College and was pursuing a Foundation Art Diploma at the College after which she had hoped to go on to do a Degree in Illustration and Animation.

A loving daughter and sister, granddaughter, niece and cousin, Hannah believed in family and friendships above all and made time for all her extended family young and old, always keen to capture a special moment on camera or in a drawing, eager to leave her mark on the world and leaving a lasting impression on whoever she met.

Hannah died at Withybush Hospital on 26 January 2012 from meningococcal meningitis.

There were family flowers only but donations can be made to the Hannah Gwilliam Memorial Fund (Meningitis UK) , care of Natwest Bank, Milford Haven or directly to www.meningitisuk.tributefunds.com/fund/Hannah+Gwilliam.