A popular businessman and RAF veteran who died last year, aged 101, had undergone surgery after developing a bleed in his brain, an inquest heard.

Kenneth Oatley ran many successful businesses in his lifetime including The Oriental Restaurant in Westgate Street, a bakery in Frobisher Road and six cake shops, which later became part of Tooks.

In 1967, he sold the business and became the managing director of 54 Fine Fare Restaurants. 

Two years later, Mr Oatley bought a shop in The Walk in Ipswich which he converted into Marshalls Restaurant. Later, he acquired the two Wimpy Bars in Ipswich, a hotel in Leicester, and The Chocolate Box in The Walk, which was run by his wife, Irene.

Ipswich Star: Mr Oatley served in the RAF during the Second World War. Image: Family archivesMr Oatley served in the RAF during the Second World War. Image: Family archives (Image: Family archives)

During the Second World War, Mr Oatley served with the RAF Bomber Command as a navigator with the 627 Mosquito Squadron based at Woodhill Spa, alongside the famous 617 ‘Dambuster’ Lancaster Squadron.

He took part in 21 operations, including the Dresden raid in February 1945. 

Mr Oatley died on September 13 last year, aged 101, at Handford House residential home in Cumberland Street.

Those gathered at Suffolk Coroners’ Court in Ipswich on Wednesday heard that Mr Oatley remained independent right up to the end of his life. He lived in his own home, and was a regular lunch club member, where he enjoyed playing dominoes.

On July 9, Mr Oatley had fallen from a chair in his bedroom and sustained a head injury. He was taken to Ipswich Hospital by ambulance with his family, where a CT scan was carried out.

This identified a subdural haematoma. However, due to an error, this was not recorded as an acute bleed. This meant that Mr Oatley’s blood-thinning medication was not stopped.

The court heard his family had queried this three times.

Mr Oatley was discharged but returned to hospital later that day when the bleeding continued.

His family brought him to hospital once again the following day, as Mr Oatley had suffered another fall and had lost the use of his left hand.

The haematoma was identified, and on August 25 Mr Oatley underwent Burr Hole surgery to evacuate the bleed, after which he regained the use of his arm.

However, Mr Oatley did not recover as expected from this operation, and following discussion with his family, it was recognised that Mr Oatley needed palliative care.

A bed was found for him at Handford House on September 11, where he passed away two days later.

The presiding coroner Ms Yvonne Blake said that she felt the most suitable conclusion was that of a narrative conclusion.

She recorded the facts of the last few weeks of Mr Oatley’s life, and offered her own condolences to his son and daughter, who were present in court with their families.