CHARLES Matthews, who as clerk to the former Felixstowe urban council was involved in much of the town's development, died on Saturday aged 86. His legal career began with solicitors at Hartlepool, his home town, qualifying with honours and a Law Society prize in 1939.
CHARLES Matthews, who as clerk to the former Felixstowe urban council was involved in much of the town's development, died on Saturday aged 86.
His legal career began with solicitors at Hartlepool, his home town, qualifying with honours and a Law Society prize in 1939. When war started a few weeks later he joined the Royal Army Service Corps and served in the Middle East, working mainly on finding solutions to soldiers' family problems.
On demobilisation Mr Matthews practised as a solicitor at Brentwood until 1951, when he was appointed clerk to Blaydon-on-Tyne urban council. He switched to Felixstowe urban council in 1963 and, on local government reorganisation in 1974, continued as town clerk until his retirement in 1981.
Mr Matthews was a Freemason in Felix lodge and member of Probus and had been a Rotarian; his wife Lilian is an active member of Felixstowe Inner Wheel. She and their two sons and daughter survive him.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here