Herbert William Playne (21 Feb 1933 - 2 Sep 2020)

Tribute – Remembering Bill
It was 1933, the London Underground diagram map was introduced; Battersea Power Station first generated electricity; Everton won the FA Cup and Beverley Baxter was the Editor of the Daily Express newspaper in Fleet Street, but headlining the news that year was the birth of Herbert William Playne, fondly known to most as Bill. Born on 21st February in Walton on Thames to parents Herbert and Deborah he was a keen footballer in his youth, playing at one time for 3 clubs! I believe he was so dedicated that when Joan washed his football kit and turned it pink, it didn’t phase him he still wore it, he wouldn’t miss a game!
He was the eldest of 5 siblings, Deborah, Michael, Chris and James. When Chris was born and Debbie discovered she had another brother she was terribly disappointed as she wanted a sister but 9 year old Bill chastised her with “you can’t choose because there's a war on”.
Bill was always destined to work with wood - as a young boy he would experiment in the bath making wooden submarines adding lead to get the buoyancy just right. On one occassion he fancied fashioning himself a bow and took a liking to a piece of hawthorn in a farmers hedge - unfortunately the farmer spied him taking it and marched him home to face his mother.
Upon leaving school he took work as a carpenter/joiner, having studied at school and college in Dulwich and Camberwell. As most young men did at that time, he joined the Royal Engineers for National Service.
Joan and Bills' paths first crossed on Brighton Pier whilst they were both out with friends - however Bill wandered off as he thought the ladies were too young for him. It was a year later at an engagement party that they finally met and they began courting - he was such a gentleman. He’d always make sure that Joan got home safely after a date, he’d put her on the bus and then cycle behind the bus holding on to the hand rail until she arrived at her stop, then he’d cycle back home again. Their love blossomed and so they married on 18th March 1961 at St Luke’s Church in West Norwood. Their first home together was also in West Norwood where they spent 11 years. They then moved to Addiscombe where they remained for 45 years before moving to Tonbridge 3 years ago.
Happy family memories were in the making with the arrival of Andrew and Melanie. As children they had all they could ever want. Andrew remembers a train set that winched down from his bedroom ceiling and a full size Dalek that his Dad made for him! There was no end to his talents. Bill was a highly skilled craftsman who strived for perfection in all his creations. His skill was recognised internationally when he paced 3rd in the Commonwealth for building a wooden lectern which still stands in the chapel at Dulwich crematorium. He undertook many projects over the years both personal and proffessional - from boat building to the wooden steeple on the church next to St Paul's Cathedral, from the beautiful stircase in their home in Addiscombe to a cocktail cabinet crafted from a rosewood piano. A truly talented man.
Andrew fondly remembers how conscientious his Dad was. There was a train strike and Bill asked Andrew “do you mind if I borrow your bike?”. He was determined not to take a day off from work and so he cycled from Addiscombe to the Daily Express in Fleet Street on Andrew’s chopper bike and then all the way home again!
As Grandchildren came along Harry, Zach and Great Granddaughter Isla, he was so happy, his family was growing and he was a very proud Grandad. Often he and Harry would be found tinkering in the shed making things or he would be standing on the touchline watching Harry play football.
A smart, proud man was Bill, he’d never be seen in a pair of jeans, always a shirt and trousers even if he was in the shed!
He and Joan enjoyed many lovely holidays together including a round the world trip as well as fun family holidays when Andrew and Melanie were young.
Bill, a calm, gentle man who never got angry, never argued and took everything in his stride, nothing phased him. His family meant everything to him.
Bill passed away at home, just where he wanted to be, he was just 87 years young, he and Joan were married for 59 years. He will be missed by all those who knew him and loved him, but you all have the tears, the laughter and the memories of Bill to treasure forever.