Ron Davies, a very popular character at Rye Auction Galleries, has had quite a past.
He was a Lance Sergeant in the 1st. Battalion of the Grenadier Guards and served the Regiment for 15 years.
Ron was born in Hounslow, Middlesex and attended the Smallberry School.
He joined the Guards immediately after leaving school and after just six weeks basic training was on his way to Malta. He saw service in Germany, Aden, Malta and Northern Ireland during his 15 years.
children Jason and Katrina
On Friday 4 March, while stationed at Lydd Army Camp he walked into the George Hotel, Lydd and spotted an attractive young lady working there. It was love at first sight. Jennifer Hamilton was that young lady, she felt the same way about the handsome guard and they were married in Lydd Church on 20 July 1968.
Auction Day.
The young couple lived in ‘married quarters’ in Germany and England until Ron completed his 15 year service in 1979. Jenny had relations in Rye and they both liked the town so they moved here to Tilling Green.
Ron got a job with Bourne’s Removals and became a permanent fixture with the Rye company, making many friends there. He was with the firm as it grew from
a small town removal company into a multi – national concern. He did removals in Rye, Scotland, Wales, Germany, France, Spain, Poland and many other European venues.
Ron and Jenny (left) meet H.M. The Queen at a Buckingham Palace Garden Party. What did Ron say that made the Queen laugh? “Can’t say, official secrets act” was all he would say!
In 2004, after 25 years service he moved, along with his good friend Kevin Wall, to Rye Auction Galleries, an offshoot of Bourne’s.
This was a job he really could enjoy. The Gallery hold FOUR auctions on the first four Fridays of the month He is the workhorse of the firm but on viewing and sale days he gets to dress up for the occasion and has become one of t he great charact ers that make t he Rye Auctio n unique from any other. Several television progra mmes have been made at the Rye Galleries since Ron has worked there, including “Flogit” and “Bargain Hunt.
Bargain Hunt presenter Tim Wannacott dressed in the Elton John Cape that was a lot in the sale.
One customer said of Ron “He is the perfect gentleman, nothing is too much trouble for him”. Ron would blush at this but after working with him for the past year I will endorse this and say he is a very genuine man too.
From “Rye’s Own “ December 2005
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