Farewell to veteran John
John Hills spent his life at the heart of the community in Stedham, near Midhurst.
John died in the village where he lived most of his life. He was 87 and one of four children who lived in Bridgefoot Cottages and then moved to Common View in Stedham with his family in 1949. He had remained there ever since.
He died on December 29 peacefully in his sleep. He attended school in Stedham during the Second World War and left school aged 15.
He then went on to work as a cowman for Commander Holbrook, who won the Royal Navy’sfirstvcinthegreatwar, who owned Woodgate Farm in the village.
At 18, he was called up to complete his National Service which was done in the Royal Artillery in Hong Kong in the mid-1950s. After several jobs in theearly1960s,johneventually secured the job of gardener at Fitzhall,andhestayedtherefor 34 years until eventually retiring in 2001.
In his retirement, John got himself into his interests. He was very fond of his garden. He was also chuffed to become Presidentofthestedhambowls club.
John had also been dedicated to the local branch of the Royal British Legion.
He was a committee member and a regular feature outside Tesco in North Street, Midhurst,attiredinhisgunner beret, blazer with his medals and military regalia. He collected for those military veterans who were not as fortunate as him.
He was also a strong supporter of Project 71, a charity supportingworldwartwoveterans on the south coast. With Project71hethoroughlyenjoyed recent trips to London with the Association of Dunkirk Small Boats and to Normandy.
He was unmarried and left two brothers and a sister. The funeral service will be held on Friday,february2,at11.30amat St James’ Parish Church in Mill Lane, Stedham.
Family flowers only. Donations if desired in John’s memory can be made to the Royal British Legion via www.merrittsofmidhurst. co.uk
Alternatively, cheques can be made payable to the charity and sent to: Merritt’s of Midhurst Funeral Service West Street, Midhurst, GU29 9NQ. Telephone: 01730 816245