Obituaries for January 1, 2019

Haverfordwest

Mrs Ethel Thomas, who died at Highgrove Care Home, Haverfordwest, on December 1st, only seven weeks before her 100th birthday, was a popular local lady who had led an interesting life during which charitable work was an important feature.

Born in Oystermouth, Swansea, in January 1919, the daughter of Master Mariner Ernest Gordon and Mrs Gordon, the family moved to Hook when she was a small child, and, when the village school celebrated its centenary she was an honoured guest.

The family later moved to Holloway, Haverfordwest, and Ethel started her working life as a parlour maid for the Stokes family at St Botolphs, a grand mansion near Hubberston. She often regaled her daughters Pauline and Susan with interesting tales of the upstairs/downstairs life she led there in the twenties and thirties. When World War Two broke out she joined the NAAFI, catering for the armed services and teaching other staff cooking skills at several military bases up and down the country. While serving at Maindy Barracks, Cardiff, she had a close call when the barracks was bombed in an enemy raid, but she and all the other staff survived despite severe damage to the building. She also worked with war wounded servicemen at a hospital in Llandrindod Wells, and it was during the war that she met her husband Eddie, a Milford Haven man serving in the army, who was a printer with D.T.Pearce. After the war he resumed work in the printing works, later taking over the business in a new location in Priory Road, in partnership with his brother-in-law Alan Gordon, a former Telegraph printer. Ethel later joined the Save the Children Charity and her zealous work for the Fund led to her being presented to The Princess Royal, HRH Princess Anne, at The Barbican in London, an honour which she proudly cherished for the rest of her life. She also worked hard for the Teddies for Tragedy Group, knitting teddy bears for the emergency services to hand out to children affected by family crisis situations. Possessed of a quiet faith, she loved visiting St Davids and especially Sr Non’s Chapel. It was a sad blow when she lost her husband Eddie in 2002 but, in her old age she was tenderly cared for by her daughters Mrs Pauline Rogers and Susan Thomas. She had enjoyed being out and about and meeting people on the town bus, and, when she moved to Highgrove her bus companions missed her cheerful presence and constantly asked after her.

Her family take great comfort from the fact that for them, and many others, life was made all the richer for having known this remarkable woman, mother and friend.

The funeral took place on December 11th at Hamilton Court Funeral Home, Milford Haven, with interment with her husband in Milford Haven Cemetery, The Revd Terry Broadhurst officiating. The principal mourners who all attended the funeral were Pauline and Mike Rogers (daughter and son-in-law), Susan Thomas (daughter), Sarah and Jason (grandchildren), Sophie and Calum (great grandchildren), Alan and Wenda Gordon (brother and sister-in-law), Alison and Chloe (nieces), Diana (cousin) together with family friends.

There were family flowers only and the funeral arrangements were carried out by Tom Newing and Sons Ltd, Milford Haven.

Mr D M Roach

Pembroke Dock

Mr Douglas Melvyn Roach, known as Doug, of Park View Crescent, Pembroke Dock, died at Withybush Hospital on November 12. He was 80 years old.

Doug was a native of Whitland, but moved to Pembroke Dock in 1965

He served five-year apprenticeship as a carpenter/joiner with the late M L Davies, building contractor/funeral undertaker, of Tavernspite, before serving his two-year deferred National Service in HM Forces R.A.M.C. as a nursing orderly, running the Unit Post Office in Berlin.

On completion of National Service, Doug moved to London where he took up employment as carpenter/Joiner/shop Fitter with Bourne & Hollingsworth in Oxford Street. He returned home after five years to assist his parents in moving from Whitland to Pembroke Dock, and then took up employment with Pembroke Borough Council.

As with most contracting jobs he made several changes, including to C.E.G.B., Pembroke Power Station, Direct Labour Unit, South Pembrokeshire Council and in final years, before retiring, he was self- employed.

Doug’s main interests included watching rugby, cycling – in which he participated in his younger days, listening to classical music and opera, DIY and last but not least, looking after his second wife, Veronica, to whom he was devoted and married for 38 years, and extended family.

Family left to mourn: Veronica, wife; Tara and David Buckel, daughter and husband; Trudie and Stuart Wilson, step-daughter and husband; Jericho and Imogen Buckel, grandchildren; Martin Jones and Bee, step-grandson and partner; Frances Jones and Billy Silcock, step-granddaughter and partner; Liam and Lyla Jones, step-great grandchildren and Ben Silcock, and relatives too numerous to mention.

The bearers were Malcolm and Martin Jones, Graham Scourfield and Billy Silcock.

The funeral service was held at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth, on Monday, November 26, with Rev Marina Evans officiating.

Donations in lieu of flowers, to St John`s Church c/o E.C. Thomas & Son, Funeral Directors 21, Main Street, Pembroke Sa71 4JS

The service was arranged by E.C. Thomas & Son, Funeral Directors, Zoar Chapel Funeral Home, Llanteg, Narberth. SA67 8QH

Mr D Rowen

Lampeter Velfrey

Mr Derek Rowen passed away on November 16, 2018 aged 82 years, at the Meadows Nursing Home, Johnston.

He had previously lived at Lawrenny, Begelly and Saundersfoot, after leaving school Derek went to work for Mr Jack Williams as a builder in Broadmoor until national service, where he passed his driving test in Germany.

Then followed his love of driving, first at Cliff Hitchings, Tavernspite, then after a period of indoor work at Whitland Milk Factory he had a chance to continue as a driver, when a vacancy became available on the churns, then tankers, until his retirement in 2001, after having worked at the factory for 42 and a half.

Derek was a dog lover and was often seen in various place walking his dog.

He also had a love of air shows and steam fairs when his work would allow.

Derek belonged to Narberth Rifle Club for a few years then changed to short and long mat bowling at Narberth and Heatherton.

He was a faithful member of Bethel Baptist Chapel and found great pleasure in being a groundsman at Bethel , Loveston and Molleston.

The principal mourners were Betty (wife), Anita and Steve (daughter and son-in-law), Huw and Penny (son and daughter-in-law), Tegan, Gabrielle, Lee and Iuan (grandchildren), Diana and Charles (sister and brother-in-law), David (brother), Colin and Jen, (brother and sister-in law), David and Elaine (brother and sister-in-law), James, Oliver, Lindsay, Eric, Sharon, Lee and Mark (nephews and nieces)

The bearers at Bethel Baptist Church, Loveston: David Rowen, Colin Williams, Malcolm Price and Gerry Lloyd.

The funeral service was followed by cremation at Parc Gwyn, Narbeth on November 27, 2018.

The officiant was Rev Rob James and a eulogy was given by Mrs Christine Phillips.

Donations if desired to Guide Dogs for the Blind, care of E C Thomas and Sons, Funeral Directors, Zoar Chapel Funeral Home, Llanteg, Narbeth, SA67 8QH.