Gatekeeper dies a week before his retirement

The railway gatekeeper at Chartham’s level crossing has died from a fall just a week before his retirement.

Tributes have flooded in for Victor Court, who manned the barriers at the busy line linking London with the coast.

He was well known in the village and would regularly have friendly exchanges with waiting motorists.

Parish council chairman Carol Manning called him “an absolute legend” and said his sudden dead had shocked and saddened everyone.

Network Rail area director Paul Rutter said: “He was well known in Kent and the rail industry, where he had notched up 30 years of service.

“He was also known for being committed to his job, cared about the railway and his family and we will miss him.”

Mr Court was 69 and had been looking forward to retirement when he fell at a family barbecue and hit his head, suffering a brain injury.

Devastated loved ones gave doctors consent to switch off his life-support machine days later.

Daughter Mandy Curtin told the Gazette: “He was a fit and healthy man, so it was such a shock.

“It was just a week before he was due to retire. He’d told people at work, so they could say goodbye.”

Mr Court lived in Noakes Meadow, Ashford, and is survived by his wife Eunice.

He was father to two daughters, Mandy and Julie, and had four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Mandy said: “Surprisingly he wasn’t a sociable sort as such – I think he actually enjoyed his own company.

“That’s why I think the job suited him. He’d give a wave to people, have a chat. He used to joke that he had to climb those steps 150 times a day.”

Mandy said the family have been taken aback at the flood of heartfelt messages received.

“We’ve received lovely messages which we’re thankful for.

“One described him as ‘gatekeeper extraordinaire’, which I thought was lovely.”

Mr Court was a Jehovah’s Witness and a memorial will be held at The Kingdom Hall in Hamstreet, Ashford, at noon on August 17 which will be followed by a cremation at Charing at 1.20pm.

A wake will be held at The Holiday Inn in Kennington.