Ronald John Hook (7 Nov 1926 - 7 Mar 2022)

In loving memory of Ronald John Hook who passed away peacefully on 7 March 2022, aged 95.

Ron was born in Lunsford Lane, Larkfield in 1926, the youngest of the 5 children of Stephen and Helen Hook. He attended Larkfield C of E Primary School and sang in the choir at Holy Trinity Church. Ron’s childhood was spent playing in the local fields and woods and his love of the outdoors continued throughout his life. He used to enjoy going up to Holly Hill where he could see for miles, and he remembered watching the planes flying below him during the battle of Britain.

At 14 he left school and got his first job as Weighbridge Clerk at Ditton quarry, where his dad was foreman. But he wanted to see the world and, although it was still wartime, he joined the Merchant Navy aged 17. His first trip was across the north Atlantic in a convoy of ships, some of which were torpedoed by German submarines.

Ron loved his time at sea and had numerous adventures and escapades. He travelled to many parts of the globe including Europe, North America, Brazil and the Caribbean, and often recounted his excitement at sailing through the Panama Canal. He also visited Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, Ceylon, Aden and even remote Pitcairn Island. He made lots of friends and happy memories during this time, and his experiences provided rich material for his legendary storytelling later in life.

Ron met his wife Doreen at the Walnut Tree pub in Ditton, and famously forgot her name on their first date. Luckily, she forgave him and they fell in love. They used to go dancing at the Jubilee Hall as well as enjoying trips to the cinema and meals out. They were engaged to be married when Ron had a serious road accident that ended his time in the Merchant Navy and changed his life for ever. Following the accident, he was in hospital for over 12 months and was in and out of hospital for several years. He and Doreen were married on 3 May 1952 at Holy Trinity Church, and moved to a flat in Maidstone. A few months after their first daughter, Carol, was born in 1954, Ron had his left leg amputated below the knee. Ron and Doreen went to live with his parents for a while before moving into a council flat at Brooklands Road and later to their house in East Malling, which is still the family home.

They had three more children, Christopher, Rosemary and Martyn and, although money was tight, enjoyed a happy family life with picnics, outings to the seaside, and trips to Ditton for Sunday tea with Doreen’s parents, sometimes calling in at the Walnut Tree on the way home for a Vimto. Ron used to take the children swimming at Leybourne Lakes as well as on trips to the cinema and they enjoyed family holidays in Leysdown, Bournemouth and the New Forest. Ron was a keen gardener and used to grow flowers at the front of the house and vegetables in the back garden, and he was particularly proud of his runner beans.

Ron had many hobbies and interests. He played darts for the local pub and enjoyed playing snooker. But his main passion throughout his life was fishing. He helped set up the Alders Angling and Preservation Society with his brother Dave, and was secretary of Reeds paper mill fishing club, organising casting exhibitions and sea fishing trips. He passed his love of fishing onto his 2 sons and over the years they enjoyed many trips together. In 1990, together with Ron’s son in law, Phil and his nephew Paul, they decided to go fishing for a few days on the Hampshire Avon, staying at the Fisherman’s Haunt pub in Christchurch. This tradition continued for 25 years during which the ‘most exclusive fishing club in the world’ became known as the ‘Ding Dong’ and was expanded to include new member Simon. Ron celebrated his 80th birthday with a special birthday Ding Dong on the banks of the River Avon.

In his later years, Ron still enjoyed his hobbies and his family bought him a greenhouse for his retirement in which, together with the garden shed built by Martyn, he whiled away many happy hours. Ron loved to see his family, especially his grandchildren, and regale them with stories of his mishaps and adventures, of which there were many. When he started finding it difficult to walk, he enjoyed being taken out for a drive by Martyn with many trips ending up at the Pilot in Dungeness for fish and chips and a pint of Fosters.

Ron was a sociable, larger than life character who lived life to the full. He overcame many difficulties, staying positive and making the most of every day. He was able to do this in no small way because of the unwavering support of his devoted wife Doreen to whom he had been married for nearly 70 years.

Ron was a much loved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by his family and all of us who knew and loved him.