Mr D M G James
THE funeral was held at Parc Gwyn on January 16 of well know local garage owner Dennis James of Dreen Hill, Haverfordwest,who passed away peacefully at Withybush Hospital on January 6 , aged 90.
Dennis was born at Overdale Farm, Dreen Hill, the youngest of three children of the late Sidney George James and Mary Ellen James (nee Jenkins). He was pre-deceased by his brother Ronnie and sister Violet.
He attended Barn Street School in Haverfordwest before leaving to help on the family farm, then later worked on the construction of the tunnels at RNAD Trecwn. From there he accompanied one of his work mates to volunteer to join the army in 1942, even though he could have stayed home on the farm as a reserved occupation.
Dennis took part in the Normandy landings and Operation Market Garden as a Bren gun carrier driver in the 1/5th Battalion of the 53rd Division, Welch Regiment, and was one of the liberators of s’Hertogenbosch in Holland, he achieved the rank of Corporal and was proud to be a Normandy Veteran.
He returned there to attend many of the commemorations/ reunions with Mavis and other veterans until his health prevented him from travelling, and at the 40th Anniversary ceremony in 1985 he was one of over 400 other veterans to be awarded the freedom of the city by the Mayor.
After leaving the Army in 1947, by which time he was a Corporal in the 2nd Devonshire Regiment, Dennis worked as an aircraft engineer at Airworks in Brawdy, and then started to build the business he was well known for at Dreen Hill Motors in the late 1950s.
He married Mavis (nee Henton) in 1961 and they built their home next door to the garage, and their only daughter Julie arrived a few years later. Dennis was a devoted family man and was especially proud of his granddaughters Claire and Danielle, and he loved hearing about all their achievements. He was a strong, determined and independent character with a great sense of humour, and would always help someone if he could. Dennis will be greatly missed by all who knew him, but especially by his loving family.
His interests included going out in his boat from Dale when he had the opportunity, he enjoyed socialising, and was a long-time member of Baring Gould Lodge R.A.O.B. club (the buffs); and was also a member of the British Legion and the Pembrokeshire Normandy Veterans Association, in all of which he had held various offices over the years.
Although not in good health himself for the last few years, Dennis continued to do everything he could to assist Mavis when she began to struggle with her mobility. He was determined he was going to see his 90th birthday which he did in December 2014, and he celebrated quietly at home with his family.
His funeral service was carried out with the full honours associated with a World War II veteran, with the Union Jack being draped on the coffin, and Dennis’s military beret and medals being placed on top.
The minister officiating at the service was Father Marcus Zipperlin; and Standard Bearers Mr Frankie Jenkins, (British Legion); Mr Dennis Goldsworthy, (Normandy Veterans Association) lowered the standards at the committal while bugler Mr Jason Osborne played the Last Post.
Members of Dennis’s R. A.O. B. lodge placed ivy leaves on his coffin, to symbolise the falling of the leaves as mentioned in the Buff prayer.
Members of the Lodge were bearers along with Dennis’s good friend and neighbour Mr Tim Hardaker. The music played on the way in to the service was Que Sera Sera, which Dennis used to enjoy singing; the hymns were Amazing Grace and Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah, (“Bread of Heaven”); and the music played on the way out was We’ll Meet Again.
The principal mourners were Mavis (wife); Julie and Dave (daughter and son-inlaw); Claire, Danielle and Liam (granddaughters and Danielle’s partner); Mike and Ruth, Owen and Georgina (nephew and partner, great nephew and great niece).
Unable to attend were Thomas and Tuesday Cook (great-nephew and wife).
And other members of Mike’s family - Yvonne Norton, Eleanor, Glen and Toby (niece, great niece and family); Margaret Morgan and Dorothy Henton (sistersin- law); Letitia Humphreys and Suzanne Hughes (Dave’s mother and sister); Marina Chapman, Doreen Hughes, Trevor and Peggy James (friends and neighbours) and other friends and relatives too numerous to mention.
There were family flowers only by request but donations in lieu of flowers if desired can be sent to Mrs Julie Humphreys, 18 Laburnum Grove, Haverfordwest SA61 1EU in aid of Wales Air Ambulance or Ward 10, Withybush Hospital.
The funeral arrangements were carried out with great sensitivity by Mr Glyn Thomas assisted by Mrs Susan Price.
Mrs DHM Evans
Pembroke Dock
THE death occurred peacefully on November 27 at Withybush Hospital. Prior to this Doris had been lovingly cared for by staff at Ashdale Care Home, Pembroke for the past five and a half years.
Born in 1920 in Jeffreyston, Kilgetty, Doris was the eldest of four children of the late George and Lydia Naish who spent most of their lives in Waterloo, Pembroke Dock.
Doris was educated at Llanion School after which she joined the staff of Taylors ironmongers in the drapery department. She was also employed at the handkerchief factory, Rediffusion and at Hyde Electrics, Pembroke in the family business.
During the Second World War, Doris went to RNAD Trecwn to work in the armourments depot where she met her husband to be Phillip Evans from Carmarthen.
They married at St John’s Church, Pembroke Dock and also settled in Waterloo.
A lifelong member of St Teilo’s Church, Doris particularly enjoyed many social events there including whist drives and bingo.
Doris and her sisters were also involved in many other social circles in the community and enjoyed the friendships formed there. However her family were always foremost in her life.
Sadly predeceased by her husband Phil in 1968, her brother Mervyn, sisters Ivy and Winnie more latterly and her sister-in-law Audrey, just seven months prior to her passing.
The family left to mourn and principal mourners are Alan Hyde, Nigel Naish (nephews); Julie Naish, Clive Cole (niece and fiance); Jason Hyde (great nephew); Nicola and Peter Hannahway, Joanna and John Satchwill (great nieces and husbands); Jonathan Hyde (great nephew); Daisy and Amelia (great great nieces), plus cousins and friends too numerous to mention.
The funeral service was held at Parc Gwyn Crematorium on December 17 and was officiated by Rev Canon Roger Jones.
The bearers were Jason Hyde, Jonathan Hyde, John Satchwill and Clive Cole.
There were family flowers only but if desired donations in lieu for the Ashdale residents Fund may be sent to Messrs John Roberts and Sons, 51 Bush Street, Pembroke Dock who also carried out the funeral arrangements.
Miss Jean Evans
Whitland
MISS Jean Evans, late of Marlow, passed away peacefully at Withybush Hospital on October 25, 2014. The funeral took place at Tabernacl Chapel, Whitland on November 1. There was a large gathering at the funeral and Jean will be sadly missed by her family and friends.
The service was conducted by the Rev. Guto Llywelyn assisted by the Rev. Emyr Thomas, Rev. Llywellyn Picton Jones and Rev. Carey Jones.
The organist was Mrs Sheila Bancroft. Bearers at the Chapel of Rest Efailwen were her nephews and at the chapel were Eric Hughes, Jim Cod, Brian Thomas, Huw, Eifion and Dyfrig Nicholas.
The leaflets were handed out by Hywel Phillips and Meurig Davies.
The family left to mourn are Eileen and Aerona (sisters), Roy and Doris (brother and sister-in-law), Graham, Brian and Barbara, Gordon and Eiryth, Clive and Menna and Carwyn (nephews and nieces), Enfys, Edryd, Dyfan and Gerallt (great nephews and niece) and other close relatives too numerous to mention.
There were family flowers only. Donations were given to Ward 8 Withybush Hospital and the Brambles Care Home. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Dennis and Jean Jones, Efailwen.
Mr H Evans
Kilgetty
MR Handel Evans of Carmarthen Road, Kilgetty passed away at his home on December 27. He was 86.
Originally from Llandovery he served in the police force for 30 years between Carmarthen, Aberystwyth, Tal-y-Bont, Tenby and Saundersfoot, which he loved.
He enjoyed meeting people and getting to know the locals was what he enjoyed best.
He loved singing and joined Coe Meibion De Cymru and Whitland Choir, going on many trips and concerts. At home he enjoyed gardening and being a very active man he loved walking.
He enjoyed numerous holidays abroad with his wife in Cyprus and other resorts and did so until the end.
The family left to mourn and principal mourners are Sheila (wife); Jackie (daughter); Howell and Morfydd (brother and sister-in-law); Vera and Ken, Elizabeth and John (sister and brotherin- law); Katherine (niece); Owen, Richard, Russel and Anna (nephews).
The service was held at Parc Gwyn Crematorium and was officiated by Rev Elwyn J John. The bearers were Ken Howells, Kevin Thomas, Colwyn Harts and Owen Thomas.
Donations for the Paul Sartori Foundation are c/o E C Thomas and Son, Zoar Chapel Funeral Home, Llanteg, Narberth SA67 8QH, who also carried out the funeral arrangements.
Mrs I M Yeldham
Pembroke Dock
MRS Irene May Yeldham of Pembroke Dock passed away on January 16 at the Meadows Nursing Home, Johnston.
She was 95.
Originally from Holborn, London after leaving the cottage homes orphanage in Essex she worked in service in London, and became a cadet nurse and was state registered during the Second World War. After her marriage in 1946 and the births of her two sons she became a staff nurse and then Children’s Ward Sister at Oldchurch Hospital, Romford, Essex.
She retired from nursing in 1979 and moved to Pembroke Dock to be with her family.
Her main interests were her family and her friends in Pembroke Dock, the church, Mothers Union, the Guild of St Raphael, St Teilo’s Church Choir and reading.
She was predeceased by John William Yeldham (husband).
The family left to mourn and principal mourners are Rob and Anne (son and daughter-in-law); Ian and Christine (son and daughterin- law); Rhian and Stu, Lyned and Rob (granddaughters and husbands); Niall and Michelle, Andrew and Emma (grandsons and wives); Erin, Maisy, Blair, Evna, Owen, Harrison, Millie, George, Kirsty and Chloe (great grandchildren).
The funeral service was held at St Teilo’s Church, Pembroke Dock followed by interment at Llanion cemetery, Pembroke Dock and was officiated by Rev Marina Evans.
The bearers were Rob Mackeen, Stu Braithwaite, Andrew Yeldham, and Andrew Goodridge.
Donations for the Alzheimers Society c/o E C Thomas and son, Funeral Directors, Zoar Chapel Funeral Home, Llanteg, Narberth SA67 8QH, who also carried out the funeral arrangements.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article