Village mourns loss of stalwart

Mr Chidell was born on November 18, 1915 during the Great War and was brought up in Woking in Surrey.
Throughout his long life, he was a great lover of sport, and enjoyed skiing, squash, tennis, flying, gliding and dinghy racing.
Mr Chidell joined the RAF shortly before the start of the Second World War, and upon the outbreak of the conflict, he was sent to Rhodesia where he was in charge of training, and was later awarded the MBE for his efforts.
After the war, he was employed by Austin Reed, the menswear chain, and was married to Isabel, and had two sons Anthony and Robert.
He married his second wife Frances in 1963, and they had two daughters, Fiona and Dinah.
One of his major achievements while working for Austin Reed was to sort out their poor balance sheets after the war, which came as a result of post war clothes rationing and the effects of the Korean war on trade.
He retired to Gerrards Cross in 1975, and joined the Gerrards Cross and Chalfont St Peter Retired Men's Club.
He was appointed secretary in 1985, and held the post until 2001.
Guy Gorton, who succeeded him, wrote: He was the fourth and longest holder of that title since the foundation of the club in62 and moved the club forward in 2000, greatly increasing its profile."
In 2006, shortly after his 90th birthday, the club elected him its first Honorary Life President in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the organisation.
Following his retirement, from the role, he remained active, and even went up in a glider for a 90th birthday present.
He is survived by his wife Frances, his first wife Isabel, son Anthony, daughters Fiona and Dinah, and grandchildren.