Joan Harriet Sweatman (14 Jan 1923 - 21 Mar 2019)

In loving memory of Joan Harriet Sweatman who sadly passed away on 21st March 2019 aged 96 years.
Reunited with her husband Herbert Buchanan Sweatman.
Floral tributes may be sent c/o John Weir Funeral Directors, 127 Watling Street,
Gillingham, Kent. ME7 2YY by 10:00 am on the day. Tel: 01634 855558.

Biography
Joan was born in a small village on the banks of the River Humber in North Lincolnshire. She grew up there with her 4 brothers - Sid, John, Ray and Peter - and sister Milly. She had a series of 'unusual' jobs - including phone box cleaner, despite her father working for the Labour Exchange! In 1940, during the second World War, she and her friend egged each other on to join the Army and, as they were under 21 they needed their fathers' permission to enrol. Her friend's father refused but Joan's agreed - so off Joan went to war on her own! She was stationed all around the country and when based in Southend met her future husband Herbert (Buck), a man of Kent. They married in 1944 just before Herbert had to go to Europe following the D Day landings. After the war they settled in Kent - living at first in a rented oast house near Canterbury, then moving to Gillingham as Herbert got a job with a rented house attached. Herbert designed, and had built, a house which Joan lived in for the rest of her life, for the most part with the same next-door neighbours (Gwen and Frank) who became very good friends. Their only daughter Barbara was born in 1953. Joan was a very active member of Gillingham Golf Club winning several trophies. Herbert died in 1988, the same year that her first grandson Patrick was born, to be followed 4 years later by her second grandson Robert. She spent many happy holidays and Christmases with Barbara and her family. The boys were her pride and joy for the rest of her life.