Popular Middleton resident dies aged 92

Bernard was born in Leytonstone in 1909 and was educated at Mill Hill school on a scholarship.

He was an eye witness to many of the events that shaped the 20th century.

The first world war broke out on the day of his fifth birthday and he remembered the Zeppelin being shot down.

He lined the route for the funeral of King George V and the coronation of King George VI. His first job was with a leading stockbroker and he was on the floor of the stock exchange when Wall Street crashed in 1929.

He then joined the family wholesale fashion business, which he ran until he opened his first fashion shop, Coplestone House, in

Bognor Regis, which he ran for many years with his late wife, Judy.

During the second world war, he served in the RAF as a navigator on day/night fighters and miraculously survived two crashes.

During this period the family lived in Sea Way, Middleton, before moving to Yapton.

They returned to Middleton some 45 years ago.

Bernard was very active in local affairs. He was a rotarian, played hockey, tennis, bowls and squash at Middleton Sports Club

and performed on the stage many times for the Barnstormers.

At the age of 87 he worked as a volunteer at the Sammy organisation in Bognor programming hospital traffic and visits.

In 1994 he raised nearly 2,500 for St Wilfrid's Hospice by going on a ten mile charity walk in apalling weather.

He spent many happy hours working in his lovely garden and on walks with the Downsmen.

He was devoted to his family, which included 12 granchildren and 12 great granchildren as well as his three sons, Tony, Peter, Robin and his daughter, Jackie.