Reginald Leonard Rathbone

Reginald Leonard Rathhbone was born 30th January 1929 in Bristol, the youngest child of Reginald and May Rathbone.

He was christened at St Andrews Church, Montpelier, Bristol on the 3rd of March 1929.

He lived with his parents and his elder sister Verna and brother Jack in 120 Lower Cheltenham place in Montpelier, Bristol.

At the age of 15 at the end of the Second World War he started working on the Tug boats in Avonmouth Docks. It was during this time that he developed his love of the sea. For this reason he decided to join the Navy when he was 18 as an able seaman and gunner.

He met and later married Monica May Butler in 1948 at Saint Nicholas of Tolenino, Pennywell Streat, Easton Bristol .

He served in Palestine during the repatriation of Jews from Europe to the newly formed Israeli state. This was both unpleasant and at times dangerous.

In 1950 the Korean War broke out and he was sent to Korea for the duration as part of the UN forces. During that time he took part in a shore patrol to locate and rescue a group of American Rangers lost in enemy territory. Later he sailed up the Yalu river where his ship came under enemy fire several times.

He left the navy aged 24 and after a succession of jobs started working at Fisons in Avonmouth in 1956.

In 1959 he and Monica and three children (Robert, Caroline and Clive) moved to 36 Redwick road, Pilning, South Gloucestershire, on the newly built Redwick estate. A fourth child Martin was born in 1968.

Sadly in December 1993 his wife Monica unexpectedly passed away leaving Reg alone and devastated. Over many years he gradually recovered from his loss and again it was his sense of humour that helped pull him through.

However by now Reg’s health wasn’t good due to Pageats disease and eventually could only walk with a stick. He became a regular part of the Village scene as he doggedly walked up to the Post office to collect his paper and Pension, and then walk the other way to the Kings arms. He refused to ever give up and even refused repeated offers of an invalid buggy.

On Friday the 15th of July shortly before mid-day after a short illness he died of Legionaires disease complicated by Lukemia. He is buried at St Peters church Pilning.