David Hargreaves

THE funeral service of former Devizes businessman and keen golfer David Hargreaves, who has died aged 94, is to be held in Poulshot where he lived for many years.

Mr Hargreaves, who ran Hargreaves Horticultural Machinery from the early 1960s to 1989, moved to Wiltshire with his late wife Yvonne in 1958 when Mr Hargreaves got a job with TH White.

They lived for more than 20 years in Market Lavington but in 1980 moved to Poulshot. Mr Hargreaves set up his own company first in Sidmouth Street and later moved to The Nursery, Bath Road to the premises now occupied by a mobility shop.

After his retirement the business was sold to Roses ironmongers in Estcourt Street. His wife Yvonne also worked in the business and the couple had loyal and long serving staff including Trevor Sartin who joined the firm as a 15-year-old and worked there all his life.

Mr Hargreaves was a keen member of North Wilts Golf Club and served for many years on the committee and became president of the club.. He was involved with Devizes Rotary Club and the village church in Poulshot.

Mr Hargreaves was born in Forest Gate in London but as his father was a vicar travelled to many different parts of the country in his early years. He was a pupil of Haileybury School in Hertfordshire. After the Second World War started he was keen to join up as soon as possible and joined as an officer aged 17 and served in a tank regiment reaching the rank of captain.

He was involved in the beach landings on D Day plus one but survived the war almost unscathed apart from getting shrapnel in his bottom when it came in through the turret of his tank.

Mr and Mrs Hargreaves had two daughters Diana and Sarah and twin sons Robert and Mark. But sadly Robert died aged 22. Mr Hargreaves also leaves eight grandchildren. His wife of 51 years died in 2010.

For the past few years Mr Hargreaves has been living Hampshire to be near his son. He died on October 5.

His daughter Diane described her father as a very social man and a good organiser.

The funeral service will be held at St Peter's Church, Poulshot on October 29 at 2.30pm. People are asked to wear bright colours with no funeral ties. A collection will be made for Médecins Sans Frontières.