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Sittingbourne family hopes to discover couple’s history with Milton football medals and town's mill work

05:00, 06 May 2022

A family with a rich Sittingbourne heritage are trying to find out more about their late brother in-law’s football medals.

Nan-of-nine, Pat Everest, discovered six old Sittingbourne Milton football medals that belonged to her sister’s husband, Desmond Wood.

Desmond's Sittingbourne Milton FC medals from the 50s and 60s
Desmond's Sittingbourne Milton FC medals from the 50s and 60s

The football club no longer exists on its own, it merged with Fulston FC to become Milton & Fulston Utd, so Pat has been left with many unanswered questions.

The 77-year-old said: “Desmond died six years ago when he was 85 and when my sister, his wife, Avril died last February at 86-years-old we found his old football medals.

“We didn’t really know he’d even played football, the medals are dated back in the 50s and 60s so I didn’t know him then.

“I can’t remember him playing or Avril speaking about it, perhaps she loathed it.”

Avril and Desmond lived in Crown Road, Sittingbourne, and didn’t have any children.

Desmond and Avril on their wedding day
Desmond and Avril on their wedding day

Pat continued: “When we found the medals we didn’t want to throw them out as it was disrespectful, and I didn’t know who would want them.

“So I told my granddaughter, Abbi, and she put them on Facebook in the hopes of finding out more and perhaps donating them to a museum.

“However, it was only afterwards that my 21-year-old grandson, Cameron, asked if he could have the medals and clean them all up.

“He has them now but we’d love to try and find out more about the old football team and maybe him.”

Avril and Pat also have a third sister, Shirley, who has 13 great-grandchildren.

Desmond, Avril, Pat and Abbi
Desmond, Avril, Pat and Abbi

Known as the Perfect girls, thanks to their maiden name, they have always lived in Sittingbourne and even married at the same church.

Pat said: “Avril worked at the mill in the town for almost 40 years.

“She trained all the young girls so it would also be nice to see if there are any women out there who remember her.

“Did she train them or their mums and nans?”

Pat also reminisced about an old junk shop that was owned by her granny in Milton Road.

From left to right, Desmond, Pat,John, Maurice, Shirley, Avril, Gaynor and Edna
From left to right, Desmond, Pat,John, Maurice, Shirley, Avril, Gaynor and Edna

She added: “It was by the bridge where Morrisons is now, I wonder if anyone my age remembers popping in there.

“Someone must do, however I was 13, 14, at the time so they’d have to be nearer my age!”

If you have any knowledge of Desmond’s football carer, the former Milton football club or Avril’s work at the mill get in touch by emailing: mcarr@thekmgroup.co.uk.

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