A fine Officer and gentleman, who will be sadly missed. He contributed a great deal to ensure an efficient service to both the public and businesses in Hampshire. Rest in Peace.
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Donald Welton (11 Apr 1934 - 8 May 2025)
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Dad had a long and eventful life that spanned so many decades and saw so many changes in the world, from the most horrific to the most wonderful. My sister and I were blessed with stories of him playing as a child in the bombed streets of Portsmouth to various tales of being in the dance halls of Southsea, time abroad in the Royal Marines on board the HMS Jamaica and the life and times of a fire fighter.
I didn't want to go into too much detail here as I will be reading a eulogy for dad, so I am pleased to quote from the lovely e-mail that was sent out to all the members of the Hampshire & Isle of Wight past members association:
Don Welton, sadly passed away at Alton Community hospital yesterday, 8th May aged 91 years.
Born in Portsmouth in1934, Don served in the Royal Marines during 3 years of national service before joining Portsmouth City Fire Brigade in February 1958. His first posting was to Southsea fire station. He later transferred to Hampshire Fire Brigade, serving at HQ, Winchester, Farnborough, Aldershot and Alton before retiring as Divisional Officer Fire Prevention at ‘A’ Division Headquarters, Basingstoke in August 1984.
Following retirement, Don worked for the Civil Service at The Hard, Portsmouth providing fire safety guidance in government and MoD property.
In the words of his son Steven, “He was a wonderful, considerate man who will be very missed by all his family and friends”. Especially son Steven and daughter Susan and all their families.
The fire service have made a lovely tribute to dad that you can read online here:
https://www.petersfieldpost.co.uk/news/tribute-paid-to-former-alton-firefighter-don-welton-796054
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Jean was my mother and they were so inlove. They are now together again. God bless you don
Love Gary and Sue
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To a charming man, much loved by his family and friends
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Unfortunately you were not with us very long, but the time you spent here, you joined in many events and social occassions. We all enjoyed listening to your stories and humour. Our thoughts go to Steven and Susan at this sad time.
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Our Families have been interlinked since the end of the war. Don ended up owing one of our ships that had been bombed. I grew up in Fratton Road with Eddie & Len Welton.
Some forty or so years ago Don and I became detecting buddies. We must of gone out hundreds of time together - in water and on land. We drove countless miles finding expensive items for people. We both joined the Hampshire Detecting Club, with Don becoming chairman for many years. We were known as the two Dons, Don Juan and Don Two (me). We had so many good times together. I remember vividly when we were set on by a group of yobs at Sally Port in Old Portsmouth and Don lifting two of them clean off the ground and knocking their heads together. Don’t think they did that again in a hurry!
Don was a regular visitor to Widley House Rest Home that I owned and ran with Anne. Don took a shine to Jean, one of my nurses. As time went on Don would arrive just as Jean was clocking off, to take her home to mend her taps etc. Before long I found I was Best Man at Don & Jeans’ wedding.
Here’s to all the wonderful times we had together which were always filled with fun and laughter.
Our thoughts are with Steven & Susan at this sad time.
With all our love
Don & Anne
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* shops (not shops)
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**This should be ‘shops’ not ‘ships’.
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I didn’t know Don for very long, but I realised
Very quickly what an outstanding man he was,
kind, honourable , stoic , snd brave of
Course, with a wonderful sense of humour.
It’s been an honour to have known him.
So sorry Sue , Steven and family for your great loss.
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Thank you Don for keeping in touch with myself and my sisters. It bought us a little closer to our Dad who passed some years ago. I love the stories of you and Dad as children especially the two dinners story! You will be very missed and thought of with great fondness.
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What a lovely bloke, great humour, shared 2 worlds, to me, very open minded and contemporary and also old school, as in 'just dig in and get it done'. Steven and Susan sorry for your loss, he has been an inspiration to me on how a dad should be.
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Happy Memories Don you will be sadly missed
Sincere condolences to your family and friends Much love 🙏 Helga, Logan, Helena & Ashley Katrina & Dan & Rob xx
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In fond memory of dear Don who I have known since early childhood and became his Auntie when I married his Mother's brother in 1957. We kept our friendship up all these years (both born in 1934), Condolences to his son and daughter. I will miss him and our chats and his usual funny birthday cards mostly concerning firemen. RIP.
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Sincere condolences to you and your family. You must have known my father Eric Brooks he was also in the Royal Marines and a lifelong friend of Don’s
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It was wonderful to see so many people yesterday, with so many kind words and stories of dad. He was the best.
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