Gerald Gregson (5 Mar 1936 - 23 Mar 2022)

It is so sad that Gerald has left us he had so much enthusiasm and energy. I remember on one occasion when he was paving his front drive, I said, thinking that there couldn't possibly anything else left for him to do 'What are you doing next Gerald, and in a flash he replied 'Starting on your house' and I couldn't be sure if he was joking. He will be missed.

We will miss Gerald. He has been a great neighbour to know; always kind, forever chipper, very sociable. And how he loved dogs! Ours would be testament to that.

Dear Friends,

A wake will be held after the service at a venue nearby: The White Horse, 7, Canterbury Road, Hawkinge, Kent, CT18 7JA. You are warmly invited to join us there for refreshments to celebrate Gerald's life and to share memories.

A friend gone to soon is a tragedy. But what would have been worse is never to have met him.
I am grateful to have been Gerald's friend. Thankyou for being a mate, You will be truly missed.

The concept that grandad won't be pottering around being his usual cheeky self is surreal.

Gerald dedicated a huge part of his life to myself and Amanda, providing many unforgettable experiences and teaching us a wide and bizarre array of skills and life lessons, below are a few of these:

He taught us how to safely feed horses, the different ways to join a corner when woodworking (and all about the importance of safety), baiting and casting a fishing line, driving a boat.

He built us a model train from scratch, took us on dog walks and to pick blackberries, went on holidays with us, took us to play on toy diggers, helped build sandcastles, took us to the arcade on the ORIGINAL version of the Folkestone arm to play on the coin-pushers at the arcade, to Sid's for battered sausage and chips, and to sit in the cabin with Bob at the harbour gate to talk about boats.

This only scratches the surface of the level of commitment he gave to us and reflects how much he cared about us. I couldn't have asked for a more unique and caring experience from a truly unique oddball of a man who made friends with everyone he came across and marched to the beat of his own drum! He was a huge part of my life growing up and has definitely contributed to shape who I am now.

Grandad - you have always been and will continue to be appreciated by many, and will be missed by all.

A proper pit manager. Didn’t miss a trick. Heaven help anyone who tries to pull the wool over his eyes. God bless Mr. Gregson

Gerald was a friend and colleague of my Father, Chris Willetts at Sutton Manor Colliery. Gerald recently sent my Father and I a signed copy of his book, 'From a Minor to a Miner', together with a lovely letter. My Father spoke very highly of Gerald. Sincere condolences to the Gregson family. RIP Gerald.

In memory of Gerald Gregson-a good friend

Today I went to the opening of the Mining Museum expecting to see Gerald proudly wearing his volunteer polo shirt. Instead I was greeted by the terrible news that he had passed away. How very sad,he will be so very missed by all who ever encountered him.
Gerald’s fame stretched far and wide. Some years ago I was at a French campsite while doing a tour of WW1 battlefields. 3 men had arrived on bicycles & were setting up their tents-they had cycled from Liverpool & it turned out they had been miners. I said I knew a miner from up North & his name was Gerald-whereupon all three shouted “Gregson”! It turned out one was the tallyman & another was the lamp lighter. They didn’t think Gerald would remember them as they were much younger than him but they sure remembered him!
Please accept my condolences. It would be a privilege if possible for myself & Ray Eke to attend his farewell funeral to represent the trucking fraternity from Folkestone Lorry Park.
RIP Gerald , we will miss you

Dear friends of Dad, Mum and the family hope are able to join us for refreshments after Dad’s funeral. Details of the venue will be available soon once confirmed. Many thanks x

I wasn’t prepaired for you to leave us yet Dad.

Rest in Piece