Obituaries April 18 2018

Tooting, London Formerly of Milford Haven

MR Lance Christopher Buckingham passed away peacefully at St Georges Hospital, London on March 26 at the age of 58.

Lance was originally from Milford Haven and was the son of the late Kenny and Lucy Buckingham of Pill Road, Milford Haven.

Lance was a pupil of Milford Haven Secondary Modern School and left at the age of 15. On leaving he did numerous jobs, the last of which was on Murco Oil Refinery as an electricians mate. Later he worked as a painter and decorator around the Milford Haven area.

Lance’s interests were gardening and also his love of animals and birds, especially pigeons. He also enjoyed a wide variety of music.

The funeral service was carried out at Lambeth Crematorium, London on April 10.

The family left to mourn are Nicky and Carol (brother and sister-in-law); Pearl and Malcolm (sister and partner); Linda (sister and Adam son), plus numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Mrs E A Nicholas

Templeton

MRS Elizabeth Anne Nicholas, known as Anne of Templeton passed away at Withybush Hospital on February 1. She was 66.

Originally from Templeton, she worked in the Bridge End Inn in Robeston Wathen and the Cooperative Stores in Kilgetty for many years.

She enjoyed holidays abroad.

The family left to mourn are David (husband of 38 years); Clive and Jayne (brother-in-law and wife); Shirley and Pam (sisters-in-law); nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews; childhood friend Anne Robinson.

The funeral service was held at Parc Gwyn on February 16. It was officiated by Rev Elwyn John and the bearers were Ian Harries, Nigel Williams, Euros Hughes and Chris Simes.

Donations for the ICU Withybush Hospital c/o E C Thomas and Son, Llanteg, Narberth SA67 8QH who also carried out the funeral arrangements.

Miss E R Couzens

Broad Haven

MISS Eveline Rose Couzens passed away peacefully at her home, The Folly, Broadhaven on January 29. She was 93.

She was born at the Folly and lived there all her life.

The funeral service was held at St Madog Church, Haroldston West on February 8, followed by interment in the cemetery.

The family left to mourn are Geoff and Tricia (nephew and partner); Pam (niece), together with cousins, friends and neighbours.

The bearers were Richard Phillips, Andrew Hughes, Micky Hughes and Lloyd Davies.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by F G Rees and Sons of Haverfordwest.

Mr F J R Cullen

Milford Haven

MR Frederick John Robert Cullen of Cromwell Heights in Milford Haven passed away at his home on March 20. He was 69.

As a native of Milford Haven, he started as a fish runner at the age of 13 and was also a fish fileter in Milford Docks, where he retired from in 2017. He served with the TA in 1968.

His interests included spending time with family, drinking with friends, tattoo’s and watching old films.

The family left to mourn are Nicky and Paul, Ralph and Julie-Ann, Tania and Sparky, Joanne and Mark (children and partners); Stacey, Jade and Matthew, Ashley, Liam, Sam, Adam, Aidan, Reece, Nikita, Aaron, Gethin, Ben, George and Henry (grandchildren); Imogen (great grandchild); Malcolm and Glenis Cullen (uncle and wife).

The service was held at Parc Gwyn on March 29 and it was officiated by Father Harry.

The bearers were his grandchildren.

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

Mr I Guest

Tiers Cross

Mr Irvin Guest passed away on March 8 at Torestin Residential Home, Tiers Cross on March 8.

He was 91.

Originally from Birmingham, West Midlands, then Llanybydder. He was employed by ICI (Imperial Chemical Industries) as a night watchman. He completed his National Service.

His main interests were walking when he had a Labrador dog, he also enjoyed watching snooker and he also made Airfix model planes.

The family left to mourn are Susan (daughter); Andrew, Lisa and Mathew (grandchildren); Robert, Paul and John (nephews); Philip and Gregory (step nephews); Janet (step niece).

The funeral service took place at Parc Gwyn, Narberth on March 23 and the bearers were Robert Guest, Philip Taylor, Gregory Taylor and Janet Holmes.

There were family flowers only.

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

Mr K H Whittemore

Kilgetty

Family and many friends joined together at Parc Gwym on March 23 to celebrate the life of Keith Howard Whittemore who passed peacefully at the ICU at Withybush Hospital on March 12 with his family present.

Keith was born in Crosby, Liverpool on October 22, 1944. The family moved across the Mersey to the Wirral when Keith was 8 years of age. He and his two sisters, Jill and Lynne along with many cousins, had a very happy childhood looking after chickens, goats and horses.

During his summer holidays he became a porter at the local chest hospital, it was as a result of this experience that he had a 25 year career in Nursing working in many clinical specialities and managerial posts in hospitals throughout the UK.

His last post was Head of Nursing Services for Swindon Health District. It was at this point, following many reorganisations and disillusionment with the path the NHS was taking, Keith, Rosemary and two young daughters Nickey and Jules moved to Gumfreston.

They purchased The Old Rectory at Gumfreston and converted it to a Care Home for 18 older people. The family spent over 20 very happy years with many tales to tell.

Following retirement Keith and Rosemary brought a villa in a small mountain village called Competa near Malaga in Southern Spain. The many hours of sunshine, the slow pace of life and the many Spanish friends who he enjoyed a glass of red wine with in the village square under the crystal clear sky.

He was very proud to be a Liverpudlian and a Liverpool Football club supporter and so it was very fitting that this was reflected in Keith’s life celebration through the verses, tributes and music from his family and friends and his beloved Liverpool.

Keith leaves behind Rosie, his wife of over 50 years, his precious daughters Nickey and Jules, his sister Lynne and her Partner Tim, Brian, his brother-in-law, and many cousins and friends.

Donations may be made to RNLI (Tenby). C/O W & MJ Rossiters & Sons LTD, The Old Rectory, The Norton, Tenby, SA70 8AB, who also carried out the funeral arrangements.

Mr R Stephens

Pembroke

Mr Richard Stephens passed away on March 19 at Apley Lodge Care Home, Pembroke, aged 102 years, formerly of Cross Park, Pembroke Dock.

Richard was born in Glascoed near Usk in 1915.

He spent his early years near Chepstow with his two sisters Nancy and Jenny.

In 1935 after being inspired by the Sir Alan Cobham National Aviation Day display, he joined the RAF in 1938. He was sent to Uxbridge for basic training and Posted to Pembroke Dock where he worked in the marine section and witnessed the arrival of the first Sunderland Flying Boat. It was during this time that he met Gwen Evans and they married in 1941.

During the Battle of Britain he was a flight mechanic on the Hampden (a twin engine bomber that destroyed Hitlers invasion barges). The King visited the station and Richard was in the guard of honour. He was posted to RAF Linton on Ouse 35 squadron where he worked on the Halifax Bomber.

In 1942 posted to Little Rissington on air speed oxfords and was promoted to corporal.

Richard often spoke of his time in Bangalore where he shook hands with the Supreme Commander Lord Mountbatten in 1945.

He was demobbed and returned to his wife and two year old daughter (who he'd never met) and made his home in Pembroke Dock.

After the war work was hard to find but Richard had many jobs including working in a rabbit factory on the commons in Pembroke and in the Tanyard owned by George Wheeler.

In the 1960s he worked in the construction industry.

After retiring from English Electric Richard retired for a short while before he began working for WP Lewis Greenfield Garage as a petrol attendant. It was here he foiled an armed robbery and became a local hero.

Richard was a family man who loved his garden and greenhouse. He lovingly tended his garden for over 60 years.

He is predeceased by his wife Gwen and his daughter Pauline.

The family left to mourn are Viv Stephens (daughter); Alan and Bev Stephens (son and daughter-in-law); Nicola and Terry Broadhurst (daughter and son-in-law); Brian Stephens and Amanda Wilkinson (son-in-law and partner); Ceri Stephens and Ruby Coates (grandson and fiancé); Danielle and Rob Dyde (granddaughter and husband); Lydia Broadhurst (granddaughter); Stephen Broadhurst (grandson); Ruby and Elis Dyde and Edi and Delilah Stephens (great grandchildren) The bearers were Stephen Broadhurst (grandson); Robert Dyde (granddaughter’s husband); Glyn Thomas (family friend); David Anelli (niece’s husband).

A loving tribute was given by his granddaughter Danielle and a photo display was created by his granddaughter Lydia.

The funeral service took place on April 3 at Pennar Community Church. The service was taken by Rev. Elizabeth Squires.

Donations for Cancer Research, Pembroke & District and R.A.F. Benevolent Fund c/o E.C. Thomas & Son, 21 Main Street, Pembroke, SA71 4JS who carried out the funeral service.