Former police officer, British Legion chairman and family man David Stonehouse, died at his Penrith home at the age of 85.
Born in Kendal, he was the middle son of John and Maud Stonehouse. He had an elder sister, Jean, and a younger brother, John.
After attending St George’s School, Kendal, David — having passed his 11+ exam — went to Heversham Grammar School (now Dallam School). He left at 16 and joined the police cadets, before doing his national service in the Royal Navy, serving as far afield as the Arctic Circle. He also saw service in Cyprus and Cadiz and took part in exercises off the north of Scotland.
He then went back to the police, initially in Kendal, and then as a bobby on the beat in Workington, followed by spells at Brampton and Milnthorpe.
In 1962 he was transferred to traffic at Penrith, which is when he met his wife, Nancy, who was working in the control room at Carleton Hall police headquarters.
The couple married two years later and lived in Kendal, where their three children, Peter, Nicholas and Rachel, were born.
A move to Appleby came in 1976, when David was promoted to sergeant, but they spent only six months there before returning to Penrith, when he became an inspector. Next came promotion to chief inspector, working in the discipline and complaints department at HQ. He had been promoted again — to acting chief superintendent — when he retired aged 48.
Retirement heralded a new direction, as David began work as a driver for HM Customs and Excise, based in Carlisle. When that department moved to Newcastle, he joined the county court bailiffs’ office, initially in Penrith, then in Carlisle, before retiring at the age of 65.
Outside work, he was a long-serving supporter of the Penrith branch of the Royal British Legion. He joined in 1990 and was vice-chairman for five years and chairman for nine. He organised Poppy Appeal collections, as well as spending many an hour collecting donations at Morrisons supermarket.
He was also a former regional secretary of the local branch of SSAFA — the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association.
Beating on the Winderwath Estate, near Temple Sowerby, was another of David’s interests, and he was also a keen gardener, tending to the large garden at his home, Greystone, at Graham Street, where he and Nancy lived for 40 years. In addition, he had an allotment at Salkeld Road.
A former rugby player for Cumbria Constabulary, he also refereed around the county for the Cumberland and Westmorland Rugby Union Referees Society. Nancy recalls a vital role making hotpots for the police team!
She and David enjoyed many holidays in the UK and Europe and further afield visiting family in Canada.
David is survived by Nancy and their children, Peter, of Manchester; Nicholas, of Worcester; and Rachel, of Sheffield; as well as Nicholas’ wife Kate and their children, William and Arthur; and Rachel’s partner, Paul. He also leaves a niece, Sarah, and nephews Andrew and John.
The funeral took place on Friday, 14th April, at St Andrew’s Church, Penrith, with donations for Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland. Richardson’s funeral directors had charge of arrangements.
