Leslie Gray, local servant, dies

Mr Gray was Bexhill's head postmaster for 18 years and spent 43 years with the Post Office.

He was head postmaster at Bexhill from 1960 to 1968. He then became head postmaster of Hastings and Rother with responsibility for a larger area including Rye, Robertsbridge, Etchingham, Battle and Bexhill.

In 1937 he enlisted in the territorial army, and at the outbreak of World War Two was called up to the Royal Army Medical Corps and was posted to Egypt. He remained there for the duration of the conflict, reaching the role of Chief of Staff of the medical statistical section.

During this time he also met his wife, Denise, and they were married at All Saints Cathedral, in Cairo.

For his wartime service he was awarded the 1939 - 45 star, the Africa Star, Defence Medal and 1939-45 British War Medal.

Mr Gray found himself mobilized again in 1956 during the Suez crisis.

In 1964 he was awarded the Army emergency reserve decoration for 12 years service in the supplementary reserve - one of only 96 such awards that year.

He finally severed his connection with the army in 1977, having retired as a lieutenant colonel.

Mr Gray showed a keen interest in town affairs and served as president of the Chamber of Commerce in both Bexhill and Hastings and St Leonards. He was also a past president of Bexhill Rotary Club.

A keen golfer, Mr Gray was a past captain of both Highwoods and Cooden Beach golf clubs. He achieved a hole in one on several occasions on both courses.

During his retirement he continued his golf, winning the regional final of the Rover Golf Challenge and meeting Tony Jacklin at the grand finals at Turnberry.

He also became a director of the National Chamber of Trade, chairman of the Hastings and District Post Office and Telecommunications Advisory Committee and was involved with the Southern Water Authority.

Unfortunately, failing health slowed Mr Gray's pace of life in recent years. He leaves wife Denise, daughter Erika, two grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

A funeral service will take place on Thursday (October 11) at 11am at St Mark's Church, Little Common. It will be followed by a private cremation service.