Mr Denis Padwick

By County Press Reporter - Friday, May 9, 2008
A FORMER police inspector, who returned to the Island 18 months ago and gave talks about his life and work, has died, aged 94.
The youngest of five brothers, Denis Padwick was born on January 7, 1914, in Romsey, Hampshire.
On leaving school, Mr Padwick tried accountancy before becoming a psychiatric nurse.
In the mid-1930s, he moved to Basingstoke after joining Hampshire Constabulary. In 1939 he married Lena Jones and the couple had three children.
Mr Padwick was promoted sergeant at Basingstoke Police Station and in 1950 he moved to Hayling Island.
He moved to the IW in the mid-1950s as an inspector at Ryde Police Station.
His most memorable task on the Island was to run a makeshift mortuary at Parkhurst for the victims of the November, 1957, Aquila flying boat crash, at Chessell.
In 1959, Mr Padwick became a chief inspector at Lyndhurst and returned to command Basingstoke division as a superintendent, before retiring in 1964.
He then spent 15 years working in security for the Ministry of Defence.
In retirement, singing, giving talks, painting, cross-stitch and writing his autobiography filled his life.
In 2006, he moved to Elms Court, Bembridge, to be near his daughter, Pat.
He made a major contribution to the commemorations at last year’s 50th anniversary of the Aquila disaster.
Mr Padwick leaves his son, Alan, and daughter, Pat, seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. His daughter, Janet, died in 2006.
Mr Padwick died on April 30, at St Mary’s Hospital after a short illness.
His funeral took place yesterday (Thursday) at the IW Crematorium, Whippingham.
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Mr Denis Padwick

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