Autobiography of the life of a Police Officer in Kenya from 1936 to 1963;
Condolences
A poem by Michael Boning 
Eulogy given by Henry Cator, sentiments shared by his brother, Charles who read a lesson at the funeral service at Ranworth Church.
'...............What a life —
If one leads a life as rich as Peter’s there are going to be some very
rich memories which are the essence of a quiet and gentle man. The
characteristic cravat and centre parting. The quiet chuckle and smile that would
engage anyone in easy conversation —
pint in hand or not!
When he came back to Ranworth, there was a bit of Africa that came with
him. You can’t be a Chief Commissioner of Police in Kenya and not bring back
the fearless quality, which is honed by having to deal with situations on your
own initiative. Decisions which often meant life or death. It is not surprising
that a rifle and shotgun were extensions to Peter’s way of life. Whether it
was killing wild game to feed his men or shooting duck here at Ranworth, he was
a true conservationist and understood the importance of preserving a balance in
nature. A balance in Africa, which in his book he noted was never restored after
hunting was banned in the game reserves.
For many of us the abiding memory of Peter will be of him ready for a
day’s shooting wearing his green ‘Grenfell’ coat, for and aft hat (later
to be replaced by a green tweed hat) green boots and his trusty black shooting
stick festooned with leads and a rond anchor to secure at least one of several
successions of spaniels. No notice was too short —
if he could come he
would. So long as you didn’t call during siesta time! Always a gentleman and a
sportsman ‘better spared than one shared’.
When Charles and I bought the moorings business from Peter, we little
dreamed the apprenticeship we were signing up to. A business which Peter and
Barbara had built up from small beginnings. Neither were shy of hard work. What
an unlikely couple they must have appeared as they started out. Barbara aged 23
and sporting a size 8 dress with Peter dressed as only Peter could with that
formal informality then aged 53. In the 32 years that
Ranworth is home to the Mills family.
How
sad that this Parish should have to suffer the loss of another of it’s elder
statesmen.
Peter would have said don’t worry —
be concerned but never
worry. Worry is destructive. I don’t think he did worry — he
was fearless and organised his life meticulously. In his last days in hospital
he still wanted to know which invoices were outstanding, which stock were doing
what on the world markets and whether there was spare petrol in the can for the
Dory if Charles was taking it to Barton Regatta.
Life did not happen by accident for Peter, he lead it. Immensely fond of
his family, he watched with pride the progress through life of first his grand
children and then his great grand children.
There are not many people who can say at the end “I have achieved
everything I have ever wanted or needed to do”.
Peter did the last in writing his book, “The Dawn Stand-To” — I
can’t believe there is anyone here to whom he didn’t sell a copy!
What a life —
Peter, Thank you for sharing it with us.