William Henry Charles Musgrove (20 Jul 1930 - 14 Dec 2017)

In loving memory of William Henry Charles Musgrove 'Bill' who sadly passed away at home on 14th December 2017, aged 87 years.
Family flowers only please to John Weir, Rainham by 11:30 am
Donations in memory of Bill by cheque for the Merchant Navy Fund (Seafarers UK) may be sent c/o John Weir or via the Merchant navy Fund's https://www.merchantnavyfund.org/

Bill was born in Croydon, Surrey and his schooling was interrupted by the Second World War as the family lived close to Croydon Airport and the school was only open one day a week, He became a sea cadet and trained on the Vindicatrix, based at Sharpness in Gloucestershire. He spent seven years in the Merchant Navy and visited many, many, countries. He overstayed his home leave and ended up receiving his call-up papers so he decided to enlist in the Royal Fusiliers for three years and was a reservist for a further four years.

Bill spent much of his working life as a Heavy Goods Vehicle driver and worked for Hornby/Meccano, Hall & Co (coal merchants and builders merchants), Lillico (agricultural merchants) and ended his formal working life as yard manager at Hall & Co, Gravesend, though he took up employment again at a local garden centre until infirmity prevented him from working.