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Help please.

In 1966 in the Tunbridge Wells area I joined the first 'Beginners Course' of a Club where I was taught Kyokushinkai Karate by John Jenkins.  It was an experience and a challenge I have never forgotten. 

On 28th August 1967 the Karate Club under John Jenkins gave a 'demonstration' at the Summer Fair, River Lawn, Tonbridge on behalf of Tonbridge Athletic Club.

Sometime later my Instructor John Jenkins gave to me copies of photos that were taken at this event and may have been published in the Kent & Sussex Courier or retained by the Courier.

I remained 'active' in Karate until 1973.  I have never forgotten John or the people I trained with.

I have lost all of my photos, can somebody please tell me how to obtain photos that are probably within the Archives of the Kent & Sussex Courier.  I have tried but I must be doing something wrong. 

Who could I phone or contact to find photographs for that particular time?

I would be grateful for any help.
Thank you
Roy Willard

Can somebody help please?

I have carried out research on the life of a man; Edward Charles Wilmer who before WW2 worked with my Father George Alfred Willard at Mountfield Gypsum Mines.

He was in the Robertsbridge Village Boxing Club with my Father and joined the royal Sussex Regiment TA and then Regular Army in April 1939 and September 1939. 

They were both POW's for a number of years but survived the War.

I have found Newspaper Archives invaluable when researching their lives before WW2.

With regard Edward Charles Wilmer (or Willmer) he was known in Roberstbridge and Salehurst as 'Charlie' Wilmer.  He was fully involved with the Robertsbridge Boxing Club and Archives carry such news items with him involved.

One area of interest is that c.1933 he formed a Gymnastic 'Club' initially for Boys and then later for Girls.  In this endeavour, again through Newspaper Archives he was partnered with or supported by a: S. Crittenden late R.N.  In addition 'Parallel Bars' were presented to the Club by Mr. J. S. O. Robertson-Luxford.  In 1933 the Club had a membership of just under 20 boys.

I could not find out much more through the Newspaper Archives about S. Crittenden.  But searching Birth, Marriage, Death and Military Records I found the normal records plus the 1921 Census, 1939 Register and service in the Royal Navy.

With regard to Mr. J. S. O. Robertson-Luxford I have not carried out any searches yet.

I am trying to find the 'Gymnastics' connection between the three men.

Thank you

Can somebody help me please?

I have made enquiries before about my Grandmother (my mother's mother): ELIZABETH GERRITY formerly WILLIAMS nee KERRIDGE.

In my previous searches and enquiries, my 'firm' belief was that Elizabeth Williams nee Kerridge was born 1877 Salford (which is correct) and died in 1954.  However a few days ago I received from my Cousin a copy of Elizabeth's Death Certificate. 

The information held there shows that she (ELIZABETH GERRITY) died at: Ladywell Hospital, Pendleton on 25 March 1965.  Cause of death was: Pneumonia and Senility.

My query is, does anybody know if she was cremated or buried and where she is interred?

Thank you
Roy Willard

Can somebody help me please. 

I have been trying to identify a man who in some way was associated with my Father: GEORGE ALFRED WILLARD and/or his brother: ROY WILLARD.

My Father George Willard was born November 1911 in Robertsbridge, Sussex and died in 1997 at the Conquest Hospital, Hastings, Sussex.  His brother Roy was born in 1920 in Robertsbridge and died in Tonbridge Hospital, Kent in 1944.

The man I am interested in was: THOMAS FRANK AMIES born c.1914 Robertsbridge, Sussex, son of HENRY J. AMIES and ANNA AMIES nee WINCHESTER and brother to REGINALD JOHN AMIES (who was known as JACK AMIES and was a Barber in village of Robertsbridge).

I only know that THOMAS AMIES in 1937 at Salehurst Parish Church, married MADGE RUMMERY,  after that period I can find no further information.

I am creating a 'Family History' of the WILLARD's including photographs of: Family Members, Friends, Work and Sport associates and other Documents. 

I have a photo of Roy Willard (my uncle) with Thomas Amies.  This would have been taken between 1940 and 1944.

One of my Aunts, who is 85 years of age identified to me THOMAS AMIES in the photo, but was unable to recall much else about him.

I would appreciate if anybody had any information about THOMAS AMIES, no matter how little, just to enable me to have an understanding of his life.  Out of interest the AMIES family lived about 30 yards away from my home and I have a photograph of Jack Amies with my two brothers on his knees taken c.1939-1940.  Jack Amies used to cut my hair.

Thank you

Roy Willard

I have been researching my Family History and in doing so I have also 'looked' at people my late Father: GEORGE ALFRED WILLARD [b.1911 Robertsbridge] grew up with.  As a result I have been in contact with a friend whose late Father: EDWARD CHARLES WILMER (known as Charlie Wilmer) [b.1908 Gillingham] was close to my Father.

I have learned that Charlie Wilmer had been a 'Physical Training Instructor' as part of or assigned to: 8th King's Royal Irish Hussars some time before WW2. 
He started a Gymnastics Club with the assistance of: S. CRITTENDEN Late Royal Navy in Robertsbridge in the early 1930's

Before World War 2 my Father had been in the village Boxing Club as had Charlie Wilmer, they worked together at the Gypsum Mines of Robertsbridge and Mountfield, Sussex.  In April 1939 they both joined Royal Sussex Regiment TA, in September they became 'Regular Soldiers' in C Company, 5th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment.

In 1940 they went to France with their Regiment as part of the B.E.F, My Father as a Private, Charlie as a Corporal.  With the Army in withdrawal towards Dunkirk, my father on 29 May 1940 was captured near Arras and became a POW until Liberation in 1945.  Charlie Wilmer was captured at a different location but at about the same time and became a POW until June 1944 when he was repatriated back to England.

My friend (daughter of Charlie Wilmer) has applied to the MOD for her Father's Army Service Record, but with the Covid 19 pandemic there is a delay in the processing of all applications.

I would like to know if any members of this Forum have any knowledge of Charlie Wilmer in the 1920s and 1930s, especially his involvement with: Gymnastics, Boxing, St John's Ambulance Brigade and involvement with 8th King's Royal Irish Hussars.  The activities listed were predominantly at Robertsbridge, Sussex, but part of his childhood and teens was at Ticehurst, Sussex.

I have two photos of Charlie Wilmer alongside my Father which I can display if requested.

I would appreciate any help.
Thank you

RoyW