Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Man behind the lens at Kent’s most iconic events
Across four decades Arthur Palmer captured some of the most iconic moments in Kent. The former KM Group photographer, who has died aged 95, was on the frontline of local news for more than 30 years, a familiar and reassuring face with his trademark pipe. From visits to the county from royalty and the Pope, to the opening of the M2 and arrival of the first gas turbine warship, Arthur captured it all. And his photos adorn the walls of hundreds of families given his seasoned side-career as a wedding snapper. Now, following his death, his many friends and colleagues have been recalling the way he went about his work in such a calm, collected and gentlemanly manner – and his keen eye for a good picture. Arthur was a former RAF photographer who came to Canterbury to work for the W Fisk Moore portrait studio before joining the city’s Kentish Gazette in the early 1950s. It was there he would cover everything from weddings and flowers shows to Kent cricket, disasters and theatre celebrities.
He recorded the Riceman’s department store fire, and further afield was in the first convoy of cars to cross the Medway Bridge at the official opening of the M2 and travelled up the River Medway on HMS Kent as she made history as the first gas turbine warship to visit Chatham Dockyard. He photographed the Pope’s visit to Canterbury, as well as the many stars who performed at the Marlowe Theatre. He even got a letter from King Fredrick of Denmark thanking him personally for a set of photographs he sent following a visit to Canterbury in 1955. Former Gazette editor Malcolm Mitchell said: “Over the years we worked on many stories together.
“Arthur was always coming up with just the right shot and in the face of difficulty always maintaining his cool. It was a
‘Arthur was always coming up with the right shot. It was a delight to know him’
delight to know him.” Another colleague, Roger Mapstone, added: “He was such a lovely man. “Arthur was chief photographer at the Kentish Gazette when I joined as a trainee reporter in 1968.
“I still remember the jobs we used to go on together in those early days.
“Anything you wanted to know, just ask Arthur.” Arthur did it all while raising his four sons, having tragically lost his wife Margery to cancer aged just 44.
Theirs had been a true love story, he having first seen her when she came to the Fisk Moore studio for an 18th birthday portrait session, with
Arthur then printing the black and white pictures.
“He fell for her then and even kept his own little print of her in his wallet,” said son Mike. “When she came back to the studio for another portrait a couple of years later, he plucked up the courage to ask her out.”
Arthur was rarely seen without a pipe in his mouth and cameras around his neck. He went about the job with charm, a wry sense of humour and a captivating chuckle. Mike said: “I guess you could say he was old school. When he started, film was a precious commodity so every shot counted and he never subscribed to the motordrive, rapid-fire photography approach.”
When Arthur retired in 1989, his gift was a Labrador puppy which he nicknamed KG after the Gazette.
She became a much-loved companion who he enjoyed taking for walks.
He kept busy with hobbies including gardening, camping and keeping finches.
He also took up bowls; both indoor playing for Ashford Road Community Association, where he was honorary president for a number of years, and on the greens at Barham Bowls Club.
But in the last couple of years, ill health had forced him to become increasingly bedbound at his home in Bramley Avenue, Canterbury, where he was cared for up until his death on April 30.
He leaves sons John, Mike, Stephen and Chris, as well as seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Mike said: “We have been overwhelmed by the many kind comments about our dad and comforted that he was held in such great affection. “Due to the Covid-19 situation we cannot give him the send-off he deserves so the family would ask those who knew Arthur to make a donation to Cancer Research UK, if they wish.”