Patricia Cynthia Hales (6 Dec 1925 - 11 Dec 2017)

In loving memory of Trish Hales who sadly passed away on 11th December 2017.
Trish was born in 1925, the younger daughter of H K Moir and Cynthia Moir. The family had strong links to the early motor racing world, her father being one of the original 'Bentley Boys'. She spent much time accompanying him to the pits at Brooklands racing circuit. Stories are still told of her and her sister Jean sitting at the top of the big bank during races (no safety barriers in those days) watching the racing.
Trish's childhood was cut short aged 13 by the outbreak of the Second World War. As soon as she was able, she 'did her bit' for the war effort, eventually joining the WRNS on her 18th birthday. Amongst other assignments, she worked at Eastcote Park, a satellite of the now world famous Bletchley Park project. She used to operate the Turing Bombe, when she was required to wire up the machine according to the codes received in intercepted Nazi transmissions.
Animals featured strongly in her life at every turn, from pet dogs as a child through her time early in the war when working as a zoo keeper at Chessington Zoo, after the war working as a groom (where she met and subsequently married Peter Hales) to later in her life, when she began to seriously breed and train working Labradors. She was Hon. Field Trial Secretary of the South Eastern Gundog Society, also a founder member, and eventually chairman of the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Labrador Retriever Club. In later years she developed a keen interest in horse racing.
Another abiding interest was gardening. She was a great plantswoman, knowing everything by its Latin name. When on her travels both in the UK and abroad, she was always interested in local flora and would bring ideas back to her own garden.
Trish leaves 3 children, 6 children and 4 great-grandchildren. She was always encouraging to her family and proud of everyone's achievements in turn.
Trish took responsibility for the world on her shoulders, and was for ever generous in donations to needy charities and individuals. She was an exceptionally good listener, with always a sympathetic ear to lend to those in need.
We shall all miss Trish, with her agile mind, quick smile and feisty opinion.