Frederick Stephen Kingsnorth (30 Jul 1921 - 16 Nov 2015)

In loving memory of Frederick Stephen Kingsnorth of Bethersden.
Passed away peacefully on 16th November 2015, aged 94 years.
Beloved husband of Joan.
He will be dearly missed by all his loving family and many friends.
Donations if wished may be made payable to East Kent Hospital Charity (William Harvey Hospital, Bethersden Ward), may be sent c/o T.W. Fuggle & Son Funeral Directors, 20 Ashford Road, Tenterden, Kent TN30 6QU.

Fred Kingsnorth: Husband to Joan for 67 years. Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather and Great Great Grandfather. Born in Bethersden 94 years ago, with a family name that stretches back over 400 years in this parish. Christened and married in the church of St Margaret’s, where he rang the bells in his youth.
Calm and confident, a natural comedian, and a friend to all he met. . A loyal and staunch member of the local football and cricket clubs, and in later years supporting and participating in all the village events.
He founded the short mat bowling club, was an active member of the gardeners club, and helped fund raising for the village hall construction.
He met his wife Joan, here in the village, while he was serving in the Home Guard. His was a reserved occupation, vital to keeping agriculture and food production functioning as part of the war effort. Joan was in the Land Army, billeted in the village, she was just down from London and eager to contribute.
Fred worked as an agricultural engineer, apprenticed at 14 years old, working for Stanhay, Lenfield and Ben Turner, he spent most of his working life servicing tractors and farm machinery on the Romney Marsh which was his ‘patch’ Here he met many land owners and farmers who became long term friends as well as loyal customers.
His 3 sons kept him busy at home, mending cycles, motor bikes and cars, and his vegetable garden was his pride and joy.
He was hardly ever ill, and it was only in the last few years that saw his physical powers wane, he never lost the twinkle in his eye or the chance to deliver a witty ‘one liner’ . .
He was truly a man of the people, never judgmental, politically neutral, and possessed a talent to see good in most things. . he will be missed by his wife and family, but also, by the greater community in this village . . which was the heartbeat of his life.