As reported to the 2024 AGM and elsewhere, there was a loss of posts on the OMS website due to unknown causes. Roughly 170 posts were lost. Over 100 of those were to newletters, and one consolidated post with all those links has been created in the “newsletters” catregory. This post recovers lost “obituaries”, 29 lost notices of deaths of Old Maidstonians. The text of each lost post has been recovered and is given here, preceded by the month in which the post was created. The text has not been edited so some of the content may be out of date or irrelevant. I have not checked whether fuller obituaries appeared in copies of the OM Newsletter (now the “Old Maidstonian”)

Malcolm MacCallum as webmaster

March 2013: Mr E.T. Melly, known to members of the Common Room as Chips, died around 10am on 3 January 2012.
He was a member of the Staff for many years, teaching History, and retired sometime in the late 1980s.
The funeral was at 2.00pm on Friday 27 January in St Nicholas Church, Otham

March 2013: Peter Craven This article was published in the Kent Messenger on 10th June
2011.
“A lovely, kind, boyishly cheeky and sprightly gentleman. This is how loved ones described Peter Craven, director of Earl Street Employment Consultants, who died peacefully in his sleep on 2nd June at his home in Loose aged 78. Peter was husband to Elaine Craven MBE for 45 years and was very proud of his family.
Born in Redhill in December 1932, he studied at MGS. In his career he held several key positions in Switzerland and Germany. He was also CEO of Maidstone Chamber of Commerce. He was an active member of the Kent Business Community and was councillor for the Farleigh Ward in the late 1980’s for four years. A funeral service will be held at St Francis Church, Maidstone at 12.30 pm on Monday 20th June followed by burial at Sutton Road cemetery at 1.45 pm.”

March 2013: Dr Sreedhan Roy
(First posted on old site 09.06.11)
Dr Sreedhan Roy (72) who lived in Vinters Park for the last 27 years, was a mathematician who taught for almost a decade at Maidstone Grammar School.
Born in India, Dr. Roy came to the UK in 1966. He achieved first and second degrees before completing a PhD in Mathematics at Imperial College, London.
As well as working in Maidstone he went on to teach at Mid-Kent College in Chatham, from where he retired.
His work was his passion, he published academic papers in international journals and was absorbed in maths.
He leaves his wife Sukla, to whom he was married for 37 years and daughters Curie and Somali, and son Roy. [Addendum (Nov 2013): Somali tells us Roy was \”a former student at MGS under Sreedeep Roy”]

March 2013: Charlie Bogg
(First posted on previous site on 17/04/11
The following was in the Downs Mail in March 2011:
A tribute to Charlie Bogg (53) was read out by Maidstone mayor, Eric Hotson at the full council meeting in February. He died of a heart attack the previous month.
He joined the council in May 2004 and worked on the IT helpdesk, and then as information management officer in IT services where he was an influential member of the team. He went to Maidstone Grammar School before starting work as an apprentice car mechanis at Dutton Forshaw. Motorbikes were always his passion and he spent a few years in that line of work.
In 1995 he decided he wanted to get into computers though he knew nothing about them. So he read a book on databases and was taken on as a support engineer at Microsoft where he eventually became a team leader. There, he met Chris Woodward, who knows works at Maidstone Council and who later persuaded Charlie to apply for a job. A colleague said “ Charlie had an amazing capacity for learning. It was just not his ability to take in technical detail but his willingness to learn”.
In his spare time Charlie renovated boats, restored bikes, did parachute jumps and enjoyed a drink at his local, The Bell, in Bearsted. He also took part in online gaming, most recently at World of WarCraft using his online name Skitz. His colleague added “we will all remember him for his larger than life character, his capacity for friendship, but most of all his innate cheerfulness and great sense of humour”. Charlie leaves his Mum Dorothy, his grown up children Sam and Sara Jane, and his many friends.

January 2013: Robin Capon (1953-60, Staff 1973-88) We have recently heard from
Amanda Capon that her father, Robin, died at his home in Lyme Regis last Sunday after a long battle with cancer.
Robin was an Old Maidstonian (1953-60) and served the school as Head of Art between 1973 and 1988. Fuller information about Robin and about the funeral can be found here:
Robin Capon: Life and Funeral arrangements
An appreciation will appear in a future Newsletter

December 2013: Brian Smith (1951) Message from Ron Dillon
Gentlemen,
An entry in the Obituary column of this week\’s Kent Messenger referred to the death of Brian William Smith, aged 73 years, after a long illness. I have confirmed that it is the Brian Smith, known to us as ‘Biffo’, who joined MGS in 1951.
The funeral is at Vinters crematorium, Maidstone, at 12.30 pm on Monday, 9th December, 2013, should you wish to attend.
If you would like to make a donation in his memory, the recipient will be the Heart of Kent Hospice, to whom cheques should be made payable and sent to the Funeral Directors, who are Sears, 2 Thornhill Place, Maidstone, Kent ME14 2SF.
I don’t have the e-mail address of everybody who might like to know about this, so I would be grateful if you could pass this on. Many thanks.

December 2013: Tom Grimes (1939-43) Dear Graham Belson,
It is with great sadness that I have to inform you that one of your fellow Maidstonians passed away on the 14th October this year. Tom Grimes was 84 when he passed away after a illness. I would be grateful if you could cancel his membership.
Yours sincerely, Yvonne Grimes
Daughter-in-Law

February 2014: Tim Dickenson (1988-89) Sadly, the Society has been informed of Tim Dickenson’s death. We do not have an obituary or additional details to post at this time, but we do have a channel by which interested members could make contact with his family: please contact the Membership Secretary in this case. (For contact details see the Committee page)

February 2014: Peter Hedgeland Peter Hedgeland, who left MGS in 1940, has died. He was one of 2 brothers, both OMs. The other brother rose to Air Vice Marshall (see the obituary posted in the Summer 2010 OM Newsletter). Henry Darley informed the Society and noted that Peter’s photography firm, Sweatman Hedgeland, used to take the school team photos. Peter Weaver, our Newsletter co-editor, comments that Peter was always helpful to young photographers visiting Sweatman and Hedgeland and also as a speaker at Maidstone Photographic Society. We hope a full obituary will appear in a forthcoming Newsletter. The funeral is at Vinters on Thurs 13th February at 2.00 pm.

May 2014: David Leeke (Staff, 1989-2000) The Society has heard that David
Leeke passed away peacefully on the morning of 18 May 2014. We are told that his health had deteriorated quickly in the last few months. David was a former staff member (1989-2000), directing the School’s music, was President of the Society in 2012-13, and remained a member of the Society’s committee. He regularly played the piano for the School Song at OM suppers. We shall give further details of funeral arrangements etc when we can, and we will of course be expressing our condolences to Kathryn Leeke (whose address, for those wishing to do the same, is “Bryony”, Ryton, Dorrington, Shropshire SY5 7LW)

September 2014: Dr John Bergg Dr Bergg was a distinguished civil engineer, and president of the OMS in 1973. Peter Sampson, a member of our present committee, wrote “I am sorry to hear of the decease of John Bergg. He was Head Boy when I joined MGS in 1950. A fine upstanding young man in those days. Please send my condolences to his family.” Our present President, Gardner Crawley, has contributed the obituary which you can download here (in Word format):
John Bergg Obit
The funeral was on September 4th and we were told his ashes would be scattered near his home in Alfriston.’

June 2015: Chris Meigh (Staff, 1976-2010) I don’t know if this information has reached you by other channels, but sadly Chris Meigh passed away recently, and his funeral will be held locally at St. Luke’s Church, Foley Street, Maidstone, Kent ME14 5AW on Friday 26th June at 12.30 p.m.
I know that Chris taught at MGS from 1976 to 2010, so I am sure that many will remember him, and some may wish to attend the funeral.
The wish is for no flowers but donations instead to the Barnabas Fund and Practical Action, care of the funeral directors, who are Family Funerals, 6 Marlborough Parade, Beverley Road, Maidstone , Kent ME16 9JN; 01622 260210
Regards, Mark Stockham

June 2015: John Skinner (Staff, 1958-1966) We are informed by his son Richard (OM 1964-71) that John Skinner, who was the Head of the Mathematics Department at MGS from 1958 to 1966, and was subsequently Head of Oakwood Park Grammar School for 19 years, died on Sunday May 31st. Richard says “As I believe you know, Dad has been suffering from dementia for some time. Very sadly, Dad deteriorated very quickly over the last month and passed away last Sunday but it was very peaceful in his own bed in the nursing home with my mother & sister by his side.”
Among others he taught our immediate ex-President, Gardner Crawley, and me [Malcolm MacCallum]. Richard reports that his father wrote ‘The most challenging aspects came from the preparation of Sixth Form students for Open Scholarship papers at Oxford or Cambridge. I repeat, nothing in my experience was as stimulating as seeking to teach young men, who fundamentally, were more able than myself – at KES [his previous school, King Edward’s in
Birmingham] and later at MGS…phew!’
An appreciation will appear in due course in the ‘Old Maidstonian’.
There will be a private cremation on 16th June, which just the family is attending, followed by a Thanksgiving Service at 2.30pm at Longbridge Deverill Church, Warminster, Wiltshire, which is open to all. Richard informs us that “It is there since both my parents moved to Warminster 2 years ago to be near my elder sister with Dad going into the dementia wing of the local care home.”
Donations, if desired, for the Goodman Centre which is a day centre for people with dementia in Maidstone. Cheques payable to ‘Age UK Maidstone’ and sent c/o F. Curtis & Son, Funeral Directors, 11 Portway, Warminster, Wiltshire, BA12 8QG Tel: 01985.212033
Malcolm MacCallum as webmaster

July 2015: Clive Norris (OM 1955-1960) We regret to record the recent death of Clive Norris (OM 1955-1960). The information came via his and my contemporaries Mick Craske and Mac Allardyce. We hope to be able to give additional information either on the website or in the “Old Maidstonian” in due course.
Malcolm MacCallum (as admin and webmaster)

January 2016: Ken Perriman (Staff) Sent in by [email protected].
One of my clients was Ken Perriman, and I also act for his son Dr (Major) Tony Richie, who was a big part of the CCF helping his dad.
As you will know, Ken was caretaker living in the gatehouse and running the CCF for many years and sadly he passed recently.
I have informed (Uncle Richard Ratcliffe, old family friend of my father!!!) and also Neil Turrell will be back from Australia for the funeral [Added by webmaster: they being the current and immediate future OM Society Presidents]. The funeral for Ken will be held at Vinters Park, 26th January at 10.15 with the wake to be held in the Chequers at Loose.

February 2016: Eric Haslam I recently made a visit to the OM Website and on inspecting the Register of members noticed that there was reference to our oldest recorded member Eric Haslam who left the School in 1935.
I don’t whether you are aware that Eric died aged 96 on 21st April, 2014.
He was a distinguished Police Officer who was the holder of the OBE and the Queen’s Police Medal for outstanding service.
I served with him at Gravesend in the Kent Force and later followed his career when he became Deputy Chief Constable of Kent and later Chief Constable of the British Transport Police
Best wishes, Denys E. Whatmore (1944 -1949)

March 2016: Jack Long Dear Graham,
I’m sorry to have to tell you that sadly Jack died peacefully here at home from terminal cancer on the 5th November 2015. He was my partner and I have been checking his emails and found yours. He was very fond of his old school. So thank you for keeping him up to date.
He is sadly missed by myself and all his friends.
My best wishes, Maggie Clark

April 2016: Michael Hawksley (OM: 1939-1947) It is with regret that I have to advise you that my husband Michael Hawksley died last November 2015.
With kind regards, Betty Hawksley

July 2016: Philip Thompson (1979-1985) Taken from a post to the LinkedIn Old
Maidstonian group by Simon Peacock.
It is with great sadness that I report the untimely death of Philip Thompson (MGS
1979-1985).
Philip was killed in a fall 100m from the top of Mount Elbrus in Southern Russia on 26th May.
His day job as an Accountant belied the fact that Phil was a keen climber and adventurer who had reached the summit of many of the world highest peaks, swam at the North Pole and spent time in Antarctica and many other remote parts of the planet.
Also a keen Rugby fan he occupied the seat next to myself at Harlequins for the last 15 years.
He is survived by his brother Alex (also former MGS), 2 Nieces and a Nephew

August 2016: John Martin Vanderlure Willmington (1956-64) The following was received from Adrian Gaunt, who we thank for the input.
It has come to my notice that John Martin Vanderlure Willmington has passed away. He was born in 1945 and died on 11th April 2016 aged 70. He was at Maidstone Grammar with me from approximately 1956-1964. He graduated with a BA from what was then St David’s College in Wales in 1969, took a further degree at Oxford in 1969 and was ordained in 1972. He served as Curate at St Mary Abbots, Kensington, from 1975-1983, as Rector of Perivale 1983 – 1991 and as Vicar of Acton Green 1991-2014. He retired in 2014 and was living in Hampton at the time of his death.

August 2016: Marshall Vine (1954 – 1961) From our immediate past President, Gardner
Crawley.
I have just heard that OM Marshall Vine (1954 – 1961) died on Thursday 4 August 2016.
When I find out funeral details I’ll let you know.

February 2017: David Sayer (1946-55) We regret to announce the death of David Sayer on 24th January.
The service will take place at Holy Cross Church, Bearsted, at 1pm on Wednesday 22nd February, and will be followed by
private cremation. His wife said “I had indeed initially intended the funeral to be a small family affair, but this is definitely not going to happen”.
The following obituary has been provided by the OMS chairman (then Richard Ratcliffe)
David Michael Sayer
David was born in Romford, Essex on 19 September 1936 but was educated in Kent, at Maidstone Grammar School (1946 to 1955), and was passionate about
cricket from a very young age. He gained an open Exhibition to Brasenose College Oxford in 1955 but did not go “up” to read for his MA in History until 1957 as two years National Service got in the way.
At school he was Captain of the Cricket first XI and he played first XV Rugby. He was House Captain of Corpus Christi in his last year at MGS when Corpus achieved its last “Cock House Cup” of a long winning streak.
He played cricket on concrete and matting wickets in Germany whilst serving her Majesty and played for Oxford University from 1958 to 1960. David also played at that time for the Gentlemen v Players and toured New Zealand with MCC in 1960/61. In that year he became a full time professional with Kent having played occasional games for the County from his sixth form days and through each of his Oxford years after the varsity fixtures were over. He also played for the Mote Cricket Club in the late 50’s and was Captain of the Club for eight seasons in the 1970’s having retired from full time County Cricket in 1968. He still played in occasional matches for the County alongside the likes of Knott and Underwood in the “Glory Days”. His
final game for Kent was in 1976, against Glamorgan in the John Player league.
As a fast bowler his career average was 23.6 and he took five wickets in an innings 19 times. His career best was achieved in his third game for the Club: 7 for 37 in a match against Leicestershire at Grace Road in 1958. In that game his match figures were 10 for 67. An anecdote related to me by a former Mote player has it that when the Mote played against MGS in the summer of 1953, David was the fastest bowler he had ever faced and he was bruised through his pads! Cricket was in David’s blood: when he lived in Sandling Lane as a young teenager he played on Penenden Heath at every available pportunity.
After his playing career David ran his own insurance agency in Lenham until his retirement. He was a loyal Kent County Cricket Club supporter after his playing days and acted as their insurance broker. He played golf at Bearsted. In later life his joints creaked somewhat – the penalty of fast bowling over so many years taking its toll on his tall angular frame: he used to joke with me latterly about “bowling off a short run today”. He bore ill health
with fortitude – his eyesight suffered too latterly – If I said to him that he wouldn’t see the stumps he’d reply “Did that ever matter?”. That was typical of his dry humour even in adversity. David was a regular attender at the OM Supper and would always have a pithy and apt comment to make about any situation. He leaves a widow Carol and two daughters Alexandria and Vivienne and their families. His elder brother John is also an OM (1949).

May 2017: Norman Edward Butcher (1939-46) From Colin Butcher
([email protected])
Norman Edward Butcher of Edinburgh passed away peacefully on Sunday 23rd April at the Western General Hospital.
Born in Chichester 1928, educated at Maidstone, Sheffield and Oxford (Queen’s College).
Taught at Reading University and at the Open University in Scotland from its inception.
Geologist, educator and historian.
Funeral service at Warriston Crematorium, Edinburgh, EH7 4HW, on Friday 5th May at 15.30.

August 2017: Alan Earl (OM 1949) From the Membership Secretary
Mrs Earl phoned yesterday to inform us that her husband died “a little while ago”
The Chairman added ‘Sorry to hear that: A past “pillar” of Maidstone Rugby Club’

August 2017: Michael Banks (OM 1948) From the Membership Secretary:
I have just been informed by Ken Dulson that his old friend, Michael Banks, passed away last month. I have no further details.

August 2017: Keith Mitchell (1946) From the Membership Secretary
“I was informed by Mrs Mitchell when I telephoned yesterday that her husband passed away on 16th July 2016. I passed on the condolences of the Committee.”

September 2017: Denys Whatmore (1944)A message from Pat Whatmore:
I regret my husband died suddenly in May.

April 2018: Arthur Stevens (OM 1925-1931) From: peter stevens [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: 29 March 2018 14:18
To: Graham Belson
Subject: Sad news
Hi Graham,
Sadly I have to report the death, today, of our eldest member and hon. Vice President, Arthur James Stevens, born 6/11/1913, at the age of 104 years.
Arthur resided in a care home in Ealing. I have no further information at present.
Kind regards, Peter Stevens.

March 2019: Tony Gosby (aka Denis R Gosby) (OM 1939-45) Information from Gardner Crawley on 17 March
I have just been phoned by Tony’s daughter, Judith Winchester, to let me know that Tony Gosby (aka Denis R Gosby) died in Heart of Kent Hospice on Thursday 14th March 2019 from pneumonia. Tony was also a Past President of the OMS.
Prior to that he had spent 2 weeks in Maidstone Hospital after a fall at home.
Messages of condolence to Olive, Judith, and Jennifer may be sent to: Phoenix Cottage, Red Hill, Wateringbury, Kent ME18 5LD
As soon as I have the details of the funeral I’ll circulate them [see below].
He was also a past president of Malling Rotary Club and a partner of Jenkins and Gosby Architects in Bank Street, Maidstone.
From Tony Bishop on 20th March
I certainly remember Tony Gosby and had professional dealings with him and his firm. I also recall that, I think. as Past President of the West Malling Rotary he would organise Panto sketches and Quiz events. This would have been during my short membership in 1974/5.
From the family, via Gardner Crawley on 23 March
Tony’s funeral will take place at St John’s Church, Wateringbury ( ME18 5PN) on Tuesday 2nd April at 2.30pm followed by refreshments at the Undercroft, Nettlestead Place (ME18 5HA). Please forward this email to any people you think would like to attend.
Judith and Jenny, on behalf of Olive.

May 2020: Mr R V Hughes (Staff, 1968-74) We received the following news from Joe Cloke:
I am writing to let you know that , who was Director of Music at MGS in the 70s (I think), died last Sunday 26 March at the age of 88.
I met Reg in September 1962 when I took up my first teaching post at Gosport County Grammar School and became friends with him and his wife, Peggy.
He was Head of Music and somehow persuaded me to take a leading rôle in two operettas, La Belle Hélène and Gypsy Baron. He also played the organ at my own wedding.
It was an odd coincidence that, when he left Gosport, he joined the staff of my old school!
Sadly, just over 2 years ago he suffered a stroke, which, while not impairing his mind, left him immobile to the extent that he spent the rest of his life in a nursing home. He is survived by Peggy, his daughter Jane and son John.
I am sure that there will be Old Maidstonians who have fond memories of him as I do.
The Society’s archivist, Jeff Wilkinson, writes
Reg Hughes was at MGS from 1968 to 1974 when he taught English and was, as you say, Head of Music. During his time he played the piano when the school choir entered the Llangollen Eisteddfod, led the Transport Society, was instrumental in creating the Musician’s school tie, arranged concerts and school productions as has been mentioned before. Included in the latter was La Belle Hélène (photos attached) when appears to have been an exquisite production judging by the photos, although I am not too sure about the Victorian bathing costume! Sorry about the quality of the photos – they are scans taken
from The Maidstonian (best I can do at the moment).