Brian Kingsley Smith (8 Mar 1936 - 29 Sep 2020)

In loving memory of Brian Kingsley Smith who sadly passed away on 29th September 2020, aged 84 years
Flowers may be sent c/o John Weir Funeral Directors, Rainham
Donations in memory of Brian for the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance may be made online via this site

One of Medway’s top solicitors, planning consultant and champion of Rochester Airport has died.
Brian Kingsley Smith, who had an office in Gillingham before moving to Chatham, was the man behind saving the airfield when it looked as if it would be lost to aviation.
The airport had been run by BAE who terminated their lease. So, Brian set-up Rochester Airport Limited – a consortium of local businessmen and aviators – to save it for future use and as a memory to the Wright Brothers who were recognised as the founders of aviation and had their factory at the Esplanade in Rochester.
He worked tirelessly during the past 20 years to gain planning and funding for improvements and development of the site which has saved it from closure.
His interest in aviation began when he was called up for national service in 1958 and joined the RAF where he worked in their legal department and became an officer.
That enthusiasm lay dormant until one of his two sons bought him a gift of a trial flying lesson. In typical Brian style he got his licence in record time and then bought a Cessna. He used it for more than 20 years to fly his family and friends from Rochester to places throughout Europe.
Brian was born 1936 in Second Avenue, Gillingham, and spent the majority of his life in Medway.
He went to Barnsole Road Junior school before moving to Gillingham Grammar School where he studied French, German and English A levels. It was only when he was 18 that he learned that to study law he needed Latin. So he undertook a five year crash course in Latin and completed it in one year.
He began his legal career at Boyd Whyte in Duncan Road, Gillingham, where he met his wife Anne who was a Pitman’s girl. She won awards for her shorthand skills including collecting a prize at the Royal Albert Hall for high speed and accuracy. Brian also became a self-taught touch typist.
Their courtship lasted two years before they married when they were both aged 22.
He launched his own practice in Gillingham when he became one of the most in demand advocates in the north Kent courts. His expertise in planning led him to a new direction in his legal career. He represented numerous clients at contentious planning inquiries.
Brian was well respected by his peers and became president of the Kent Law Society. He was subsequently elected an honorary member – a rare honour in the 200 year history of the society.
In his personal life, he was a very talented pianist and had a grand piano plus an organ in his double garage where he enjoyed playing classical music.
He was a keen photographer and gardener who spent many spare weekends touring garden centres to find new and unusual plants for his huge garden in Upchurch.
He leaves his wife Anne, two sons and four grandchildren. One of his last delights was to congratulate one of his grandchildren, Honor, who recently qualified as a commercial pilot.