Tributes to Peter Ayres

FORMER Bexhill businessman Peter Ayres died on Monday at the age of 87, just three months after he and his wife Barbara celebrated their diamond wedding.
By The Newsroom
Published 30th Oct 2008, 08:48 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 20:05 BST

Peter prided himself on being a "true Cockney," having been born at St Bartholomew's within the sound of Bow Bells.

He grew up in Queens Park in North West London and after school entered the world of publishing, working for Methuen and Co. near The Strand.

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Peter and Barbara, who had served as a Wren, married in 1948, having met while they were both on duty at Chatham Royal Naval Barracks.

Peter joined up as a seaman in 1940 and worked in electrics before becoming a Leading Torpedo Operator.

He was on the cruiser Liverpool which was due to sail for Japan and was in barracks as quartermaster in charge of "vitelling" the ship when he met Barbara after placing an order for tea and other supplies.

The couple set up home at Hampton before moving to Broadstairs, where Peter established his own electrical contracting business.

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With their son, Stephen, the couple moved to Bexhill in 1971 so Peter could travel more easily to work.

The couple later founded the TVC video shop in Devonshire Road.

Peter and Barbara had been members of Bexhill branch of the Royal Naval Association since its inception 15 years ago and also belonged to St Augustine's Church.

They were founder members of the East Sussex regional branch of the Federation of Small Businesses.

Related topics:BexhillLiverpool