Details for Eric Ashford's funeral

Here are the funeral details (the invitation is from my sister Mary) for my father Eric Ashford. Should anyone from the group wish to attend they would be most welcome. They are equally welcome to attend just the reception if they so wish.

Best Regards

Anthony Ashford

Sadly we wish to inform you that Eric Ashford died peacefully in a nursing home near Oxford on 23rd May 2017.

The funeral will be held on Tuesday 13th June at 11.00 All Saints Church, Church Road, Kenley, Surrey, CR8 5DU, followed by internment at Greenlawn Memorial Park, Chelsham Road, Warlingham, Surrey, CR6 9EQ.

There will be a reception and finger buffet afterwards at The Harrow, 309 Farleigh Road, Warlingham, Surrey CR6 9EL.

We would appreciate family flowers only but would welcome donations if wished for dementia reasearch. There will be a collection at the church for this charity or make a donation to www.alzheimers.org.uk

We do hope you are able to join us on the day.

From Mary Ashford on behalf of the family.

RSVP

6 Alma Place,
Oxford, OX4 1JW
mashford29@outlook.com
_____________________________________

Tony has written this account of his father's life for the Dieppe Raid website:

"Thanks to Tony for these few words about his father who is sadly no longer with us. This photo was taken with his daughters at a recent Dieppe Raid.

Eric Ashford passed away on Tuesday 23rd May 2017 age 94 suffering from a progressive illness. Eric had been a regular participant in the Dieppe Run from 1987 until 2015. He had been a regular rider with the Souwesters Cycle Club and the Midweek Wayfarers group. He also made many cycle tours in France, Germany and Belgium. Those who knew him will remember his sense of humour, sometimes black, and for his gift for self-parody.

He may not have been the best cycle mechanic but was an extremely gifted "bodger" and (almost) always managed to get back to base. As a "bon viveur" he enjoyed being both on the bike, as well as the "apres bike" in a restaurant or bar (especially in Dieppe).

During the war, he was in the RAF as a navigator in Lancaster bombers and was shot down near Troyes in northern France. He remained as a prisoner of war in Poland and Germany until the end of the war. A quantity Surveyor by trade, he was also interested in European history for which he obtained a BA at the Open University after his retirement.

He is survived by one son, two daughters and three grandchildren. He will be sorely missed.