Obituary

FORMER priest-in-charge of Doddington and Benwick, the Rev Kenneth George Pratt, has died at his home in March. He was 84.

Born in Norwich, Mr Pratt moved to March when he was a young boy. After leaving school he worked for solicitors Ollard and Bentley before joining the RAF in 1940. He spent the Second World War serving in El Fasha in the Sudan.

After the war Mr Pratt returned to work for Ollard and Bentley as an office manager. He also worked for J T Cox and Sons before returning to Ollard and Bentley where he worked until his retirement.

Rev Pratt was a worshipper at St John's Church, March, for more than 40 years and for 25 years served at churchwarden.

He had a lifelong interest in theology and after training for the Ministry while working as an office manager, his long held ambition was finally realised in 1984 when he was ordained as a minister in the Church of England.

In September 1984 he became priest-in-charge at Doddington and Benwick, a positoin he held for nearly seven years until his retirement. After his retirement he continued to conduct services wherever he was required all over the diocese and he was a frequent visitor to Friday Bridge. He conducted his last service on Easter Day at Friday Bridge.

He was chaplain of Doddington Hospital for a number of years, and his many interests included the English language, wildlife and railways. He was a frequent visitor to Wicken Fen and was a shareholder in the North Norfolk Railway.

His work at Alan Conway Court, Doddington, prompted an interest in the Alzheimer's Society.

Mr Pratt married widow Ruth Behagg in 1957. In addition to his widow, he leaves two sons, Roger and Andrew Behagg, a daughter Heather Day, eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

The funeral service was held yesterday (Thursday) at St John's Church, March, followed by cremation at Peterborough.