Midhurst's farewell to a town stalwart

Keith who was chairman from 1989-1995 died in Winchester having sadly suffered from dementia in his later years.

He moved to Midhurst in 1965 when he came to work at what was known as Plant Protection, at Fernhurst.

He and his wife Beryl relocated to Winchester in 2013 to be closer to their family.

Born in Manchester in 1927, he left school at 14 and worked as a mail boy with ICI.

He volunteered for the Royal Navy in 1944 and was called up in 1945. He served on HMS Ocean in the Mediterranean as the war drew to a close.

Demobbed in 1947 he returned to ICI as a junior clerk which gave Keith the opportunity he craved to see the world.

In 1954 he became engaged to Beryl, and was then posted to Nigeria in 1955 with Beryl joining him in early 1956.

From Nigeria the family moved to Ghana where Keith took up the post of depot manager in Agrochemicals before working in Sudan for a year.

Returning to the UK in 1965 Keith went to work in Fernhurst.

He retired in 1980 and devoted himself to Midhurst.

He raised the funds and initiated the project to restore the footings and outlines of the old Norman Castle on St Anns Hill.

He played an important role in forging links with the twin towns of Nogent Le Rotrou and Baiersbronn with his friend and councillor Earnie Knight.

He was also instrumental in forming the Midhurst and Easebourne Sports Association and was an active Rotarian and president.

He was the first secretary and founder of the rugby club, as well as being an active member of Probus, the Cowdray Golf Club and an enthusiastic amateur on the snooker tables at the Midhurst Club.

This year Keith and Beryl celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary with a card from the Queen.

Keith leaves many happy memories for those who knew and worked with him. He will be remembered for the contribution he made to Midhurst.

Keith leaves his wife Beryl, children, Nigel, John and Helen and seven grand children.

He is to be cremated in Southampton at a service for family only.

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