GEORGE GATLING 1929-2023
George Evered Gatling was born in Bromley , Kent , in 1929 . He joined Sevenoaks School in 1941 as one of 50 boarders in School House . He always spoke very fondly of his time at Sevenoaks , although it was not always easy in wartime , with cold baths and basic meals . When he started , a boy named Barry Kember was asked to be his ‘ shadow ’ to show him around and explain the various house customs . George never forgot Barry ’ s kindness , and , in later years , when reminiscing about his schooldays , would often mention him .
The 50 boys were only allowed two newspapers a day to share – a fact George often remarked on in later life ! It encouraged a lifelong love of newspapers , and until the end he always liked to have his own paper to read every day .
In George ’ s words , ‘ The Headmaster , Mr JA Higgs- Walker , was a stern but kindly man who believed in Victorian ways . He had little time for anyone who was interested in science , believing only historians were fit for anything .’ George , therefore , with his love of the humanities over science , got on well with the Head !
George particularly enjoyed rugby and played in the inter-house matches , where there seemed to be great rivalry between School House and Johnsons , the only two boarding houses . He was also in the debating society and one of his teachers suggested he try acting ; he really enjoyed this and performed in a number of school plays including The School for Scandal . His love of acting continued as an adult in amateur dramatic groups .
George took English Literature , English Language and Latin for Higher School certificate and he would have liked to have been a teacher or a journalist , but didn ’ t want to go to university . However , he did write for his local paper in Petts Wood , edited a local political journal and wrote a Latin primer .
On leaving school , George worked in a London paper merchants before joining an import and export business , where he stayed for nine years . He married Sheila , and joined her in her father ’ s wholesale jewellery business in Hatton Garden . Together , as company directors , they worked hard to build up a very well-respected company , serving jewellery shops all over the UK and abroad . They retired in 1992 and moved to Eastbourne where they had many happy years together . Sheila passed away in 2021 and despite missing her greatly , George continued to live independently until his sudden death in January 2023 . He had the fighting spirit of many of his generation who lived through the war , and was always cheerful , counting his blessings right until the end .
He is survived by his sister Marguerite , and was a loving father to Wendy , Gillian and Peter , and grandfather to Laura , Jamie , Becky , Ben and Daisy . He is greatly missed by all who knew him .
Wendy Gatling
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