Thomas KINGWELL-SMITH

The first time I met both Tom and Mandy was at their home in Norfolk. They had generously said they would 'adopt' my beloved greyhound 'Lulu' whilst I was travelling abroad.
The K-S Canine Clan readily accepted her and introduced her to their world of chickens immediately and many subsequent moments of high excitement - not necessarily shared with the same enthusiasm by Tom or Mandy!
I wasn't much of a house guest, we had never met before and they were dealing with an emotional, tearful owner. They were amazing. Mandy took me to visit the Sandringam Estate and then on arriving back a tall, lanky appararition appeared at the door!
Tom, masquarading as the Q. Mother? head scarf, pinny over rolled-up trousers having prepared a beautiful meal.
Such a super couple and so together.
Sadly I was only to meet Tom once more, this time in their wonderful French home but even that was to provide great memories including the sight of Tom up a tall ladder busily fixing a television ariel!
Thank you Tom, you were a very special person - we will all look after Mandy for you Jill xxxxx

Visiting Uncle Tom, or knowing he was coming to stay, would always fill me with excited anticipation. Would we go shopping for cowboy boots, perhaps build a kite, rehome a puppy or get a hamster? Maybe we'd sit in a fighter jet, go gliding, abseiling, discover exciting new foods or would I learn of the exploits of one of his exotic postings?. Whatever we did, he always made me like the most important person in the world for the time we were together and left me feeling good about life.

Uncle Tom was so generous, but Mum would dread the postman arriving a package from him. Whilst some, like a painted coconut from Belize, made nice ornaments, the spent aircraft shells, tarantulas, scorpions, saucy posters and a machete were quite the treasures for an 11 year old boy!

Uncle Tom always brought happiness, positivity and and life to our family and we all miss him greatly.

Please accept my condolences and deepest sympathy on Tom’s passing. He was truly a lovely man, he welcomed me on many holidays to France and I enjoyed the many tales he told me about his childhood in London.

You know how much I loved and appreciated him.

LUCKY ME!

Some of us will remember George Orwell’s book 1984 and the menacing phrase “Big Brother is Watching!” It was meant to frighten and intimidate people. Well, sorry Mr Orwell, I’m not frightened, because my Big Brother, Tom, has watched me all my life and taken care of me.
During the war when I was about 5 or 6, along with thousands of other children, we were evacuated out of London. The official organisers wanted Tom to go one place and me somewhere different. Standing on his toes, head held high, Tom said, “Absolutely not! Brenda and I Stay together.”
He created such a turmoil That he was allowed to take me down the street to another hall. That night the first hall was bombed so I am only alive today because of Tom’s determination to look after me.
Friends, boys and girls, even my husband, had to be put through the ‘Tom’ test. Too many to tell about today but never forgotten, I just want to say, “My darling brother, Tom, thank you for looking after me for so long. I always felt safe, knowing you were there and even when we lived far apart that feeling of security was still there. Somehow, something is telling me that, now you have moved on, you will still be taking care of me.”
My love, forever, Brenda. xxxx

“Hail and Farewell”
I met Tom, late on a foggy December night in 1967, just before Christmas. Brenda and I had driven up from London to Doncaster, for a surprise visit Tom and I shook hands: the bond was instant, strong and remained undimmed to this day.
A man of principles, never one to brag about success or show-off, it was not without a wry smile that he drove past the CO’s office at RAF Stanmore in my Jaguar, as the boss looked out the window. “I had to sit on my right hand to stop saluting” he later told me.
Tom was Best Man when I married his sister, Brenda. He was. Is. And will forever remain, one of the Best Men I have ever met.

It was an honour to have known you Tom. You always looked after and cared for Mandy and my wife Malika so much. It has always been an absolute pleasure spending many a European summer at yours and mandy’s house, spending many hours around the pool having a glass of rose talking golf for hours. You were the one to give me very sound advice on how to get my golf swing better. I’ll cherish those moments forever, but what I’ll never forget is you gifting me a beautiful set of clubs. The clubs you won in one of your last tournaments you played in. I still use those clubs once a week when I play and they’re perfecting my game. One of my last and final memories with you, was having our beautiful wedding at your place. You were in great spirits, having the time of your life. You were a real pleasure to sit around with and have a conversation with. I’ll miss you mate, thanks so much for being a great husband to Mandy. Fly well and swing that club for the hills my friend. Sending lots of love to you and Mandy xxxxxx

Thank you for loving Mum with all your heart and for giving her the happiness she deserved. Thank you for welcoming me as your own daughter and always making me feel loved and part of your family. Thank you for teaching me to drive those lessons gave us so many laughs, and they're memories I'll always treasure. I've loved all the summers we've shared with you and Mum over the years, but last summer will always hold a special place in my heart. I'm so grateful you were there to celebrate my wedding and that we were able to share such a beautiful milestone together. You will always be remembered with love, gratitude, and a smile. Thank you for everything. Rest peacefully. You will be missed. All my love.
Malika
Xoxox

Tom was a charming gentleman and lovely and fun when we met . He was kind a caring and made you happy with the exciting life you built together. He will be missed.

Thirty years of friendship gave us so many memories, from playing golf to traveling around the world.

I'll always treasure the poem I wrote for you: "While I was the heart and spirit and soul, you were the brains and a complete asshole." It still makes me smile because it was so true.

Rest in peace, my dear friend.

With love

George, Angie and family

Tom joined our family when I had already left home and started on my adult life, so I got to watch from afar how he brought a new kind of love and kindness to mum’s life. It was a really special thing to watch, and I’m grateful to him for what he gave mum and our family. He gave us generosity, kindness without obligation, shared stories and jokes about his life (!), and helped mum build the life she had always wanted - a life in Provence.

Tom was very loved, and will be missed greatly. He will leave a gap in lots of our lives that can’t be easily filled.

- Eleanor