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Pensioners who attended Dartford West Secondary Modern School celebrate reunion

A group of pensioners with the combined age of 480 got together after 65 years after last seeing each other.

The men, all used to be pupils at Dartford West Secondary Modern School.

The reunion was organised by Terry Berrecloth, 80, who was born in the former West Hill Hospital, Dartford, on June 20, 1938, but now lives in Queensland, Australia.

The old school chums got together at the Fighting Cocks Pub in Horton Kirby, from left to right, Fred Colyer, Brian King, Bill Young, Terry Berrecloth, Derek Jones and Trevor Knowles
The old school chums got together at the Fighting Cocks Pub in Horton Kirby, from left to right, Fred Colyer, Brian King, Bill Young, Terry Berrecloth, Derek Jones and Trevor Knowles

He went to Oak Field Lane Primary School from 1943 to 1949 and then went on to the former Dartford West Secondary Modern, Highfield Road, Dartford, from 1950 to 1953 and lived in Myrtle Road on the Tree Estate.

On completion of his engineering apprenticeship at J&E Hall, he flew around the world working on projects until he started his own company.

However, Mr Berrecloth thought time was catching up with him returned to England in September and wanted to meet up with his old school friends.

He appealed in this newspaper for members of form M4 who were who were at Dartford West Secondary Modern in 1953 to contact him so they could all get together.

Were you in form 4M at Dartford West Secondary in1953? (3449523)
Were you in form 4M at Dartford West Secondary in1953? (3449523)

Several people contacted Mr Berrecloth and they went along to Fighting Cocks pub in Horton Kirby, to have lunch.

Mr Berrecloth who has now returned to Australia, said: "With a total age of 480 years, six former classmates met up to celebrate their eightieth year on earth.

"We met up for the first time since leaving school 65 years ago.

Those who came along were Fred Colyer, Brian King , Bill Young , myself, Derek Jones and Trevor Knowles.

"It was a very special time."

Were you in form 4M at Dartford West Secondary in1953? (3449525)
Were you in form 4M at Dartford West Secondary in1953? (3449525)
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