Family Announcements, births, marriages, deaths, obituaries and in memoriam from Hampshire

GILLETT Sylvia Derek, Lesley, Chris and their grandchildren thank their relatives, neighbours and friends for their cards and funeral tributes. Special thanks to those who were able to attend Sylvia's funeral at Basingstoke, especially those
from Poole.
Your sympathy and support means so much to them at this sad time.

12:00am Monday 9th January 2006

KEYTE on Christmas Day, at the Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, to Charlotte (née Pike) and William, a daughter, Alice Charlotte Harriet.

12:00am Monday 9th January 2006

GRANT Margaret Lillian (née Wright) at home, unexpectedly, on
31st December,
aged 58 years.
A sadly missed and dearly loved Wife, Mother, Sister and Nan and a great friend of so many.
Funeral service has taken place, but donations in her memory to benefit "Naomi House Children's Hospice" may be forwarded to
Richard Steel
& Partners,
Chesil House,
Chesil Street,
Winchester,
SO23 0HU.
(01962 844044)

12:00am Monday 9th January 2006

CUTLER. Bessie. Sadly missed and
never forgotten. Fond memories of a dear friend. Love Audrey.

12:00am Monday 9th January 2006

SIDNEY WALTER PETHERBRIDGE. AGED 82

The funeral was held at St. Paul's Church, Winchester, last Tuesday, of the late Sidney Petherbridge. Apart from his service with the Royal Navy and several years living in Chandler's Ford, Mr Petheridge was a life long resident of Winchester, a city he was very fond of and proud to be associated with.
Mr Petherbridge was born on 21st March, 1923, and spent his formative years at a number of addresses in Winchester, attending Holy Trinity Boys School and Danemark Grammar School when it was located in Gordon Road.
At 16, Mr. Petheridge successfully applied to join the Royal Navy. Upon acceptance, he was asked to report to the Southampton Recruiting Office, on Monday, 4th September, 1939, at 9.00am. He would often say how he missed the start of the war by 22 hours. During his eight years service, Mr Petherbridge rose from Boy to Leading Telegraphist. He saw action in various parts of the world and took part in the Battle of the Atlantic, Russian Convoys and the war in the Pacific. The summer of 1945, for instance, saw him in the Solomon Islands, preparing for the invasion of Japan. Thankfully instead, he took part in the less dangerous liberation of Hong Kong.
The most significant moment in his wartime service occurred on 25th November, 1941, when, at just 18, he narrowly escaped with his life. The ship he was aboard, HMS Barham, was sailing towards Egypt when she was torpedoed by U-Boat 331. Over 850 officers and men died in the sinking. The experience was to haunt him for the rest of his life.
During his years in the Navy, Mr Petherbridge developed his love of boxing and occasionally represented the ships on which he served. He was very proud to have been a member of the "Senior Service". In later years, he became Treasurer of HMS Barham Survivors Association and was the last survivor to serve on the committee.
In 1948, Mr Petherbridge joined Southern Railway just before its nationalisation into British Railways. He spent almost all the 39 1/2 years of his railway career at Winchester Station. From 1963, until his retirement in 1987, he held the position of Chief Booking Clerk. He was a familiar face at the station to commuters and members of the travelling public alike.
Mr Petherbridge was wedded in 1949 and enjoyed 56 years of marriage. He died on 12th December and is survived by his wife, two children and six grandchildren.

12:00am Monday 9th January 2006