Veteran of a bitter battle

Mason and lifelong Dover resident.

Report by Terry Sutton and Kathy Bailes.

A FORMER serviceman who fought in the bitter 1944 winter battle of Monte Cassino during the Second World War has died at his River home.

Arthur Tolputt passed away on February 8 at the age of 87.

The ex-Dover County Grammar School pupil served in the Royal Artillery during the war in North Africa, Italy and Greece.

Although he seldom spoke about it, he was with the Allied forces in Italy during the terrible winter of 1944, trying to break through the German Gustav Line, dominated by the abbey of Monte Cassino that was destroyed in the battle.

After the war Arthur worked in the timber industry for Crandall's, when they had a town centre yard, and was manager in Dover, Ramsgate and Margate for successive owners of the business.

It was at Crandall’s that he met wife-to-be Pamela. The couple married in 1951 and have one son, Keith.

Arthur was an active member of the Dover branch of the Royal Artillery Association, serving as honorary secretary, and lately as treasurer. He regularly represented the branch at Dover war memorial ceremonies.

He was a long-serving member of the Old Pharosians’ Association and a leading member of the association’s archivist team. He was also a member of the old boys’ Pharos Masonic Lodge. He also served on the church council at Dover Castle.

Pamela said: “He was a lovely man. He liked music and we would go to concerts at the grammar school.”

Fellow Mason and Dover Town Council clerk Mike Webb said: “He was a gold medal recipient for the Royal Artillery Association.

“He was an absolute gentleman and very involved with the war memorial project, and volunteered for Remembrance services and all the work involved in that.

“He was a very highly regarded member of the Masons and served for more than 50 years. Despite being in his 80s he was still a military figure, part of the association and had links with other military groups in the town.

“It was a privilege to have known and worked with him.”

A funeral service will be held at St Mary’s Church in Dover Castle, on Tuesday, February 22atl.45pm followed by cremation at Barham.