2007 Wilf Sanders obituary

Wilfred George Sanders 1920-2007 by Bob Sanders, one of his sons. For further articles click Wilf & 'Rene Sanders, also 1984 Wilf & 'Rene Sanders leave and 2013 Irene Sanders obituary

Wilf was born in Holmwood surrey; and lived in nearby Brockham, where he was to remain until he married. From an early age it became clear that he was destined to become a farmer.

He was educated at the Dorking High School for boys and later at the Dorking Grammar school. He was an excellent athlete and won the junior and senior annual school cross country two years in succession. He also played football and cricket for the school first elevens and, on leaving continued his love of sport with the Brockham first elevens for many years.

Being a farmer during WW2, he was directed to continue his profession rather than military service. He worked long hours with little or no help as labour was very short in those dark days. However, as a civilian during the war, all men had to do voluntary civil defence duties after their working day. Wilf therefore joined the local Heavy Rescue Team, who went on duty from 6pm to 6am. It was reported that during the height of the blitz he was on duty for 75 consecutive nights without a break.

Although little or no male assistance was available on the farm during the war years, help came in the form of the women's land army. It was from this capable team that Wilf met, fell in love and eventually married Irene on the 7th December of 1946. Wilf proved to be a very loyal family man and this was borne out when, just two months before he died, family and friends assembled to celebrate their 60 years of marriage.

Wilf worked hard all his life to raise and support his wife and 3 sons. He spent long hours at work on the farm and it was not unusual in the summer for him to be up at 4am to milk the cows and finally come home in the dark, having spent the last few hours bringing in the harvest. Incredibly, he found time to work in his beloved garden producing vegetables that are legendary. Ask anyone about his celery, potatoes or runner beans.

Wilf was a talented woodworker and made much of the furniture in the family home. In the garden of his boyhood home stood a miniature house, which in fact was a bee hive built by his father. He rescued and restored the little house and it sat for many years in the garden of his house in Kiln Lane.

In 1965 Wilf secured a job at Stocken Farm, when he and the family moved to Lacey Green. He was clearly content and remained there until he retired in 1984. He was a very quiet, reserved man in many ways but was always ready to help. In Lacey Green he served the community in a number of ways including sitting on the Village Hall committee, helping Rene to look after the Hall and he introduced to Lacey Green youth club the Brockham style bonfire night celebrations. He spent hours making torches, travelling all over with the tractor and trailer, collecting stuff for the bonfire and generally ensuring a huge and legendary success. In 1977, the year of the Queen's Jubilee celebrations, Wilf organised the most fantastic pig roast.

In 1984 he retired a year or so early, when he and Rene moved to Goring by Sea, having renovated and extended a bungalow. The years of working in the bitterly cold winters when working conditions were not as they are now finally took its toll. Wilf must have enjoyed his years in Goring, where he went back to playing snooker and badminton.

Wilf remained an ardent sports fan all his life and was an avid Arsenal supporter. In recent years he could be found watching England playing cricket, although, for some reason, he preferred to watch them bat rather than bowl

Wilf is survived by Rene and 3 sons.