IN MEMORY OF
KENNETH SAMUEL DABNER
1929 to 2009

Ken was born on the 1st of February, 1929 to Winifred and Samuel Dabner in Plymouth, England, an area known as Stonehouse, a very important part of Plymouth's history and a major role in the first and second world wars. Ken's father was stationed and trained at Stonehouse Marine Barracks where Sam was a gunner, a bandsman and a physical training instructor in the Royal Marines, serving for 32 years.

The Dabner family moved in the early 30's to Swiilly built for the poor working class citizens of Plymouth. There was community spirit and togetherness amongst the families. The Dabner family totalled five, Audrey, Ken, Barbara, David and Mervyn. When Ken was ten years old Germany declared war against Great Britain. He took the roll of caretaker in the Dabner household becoming the man of the family while his father was away fighting in the Atlantic against German U-boats. Sam was in the Royal Marines and fought in Germany, Japan and the Far East. On two occasions the family received telegrams from the War Ministry that Samuel was missing on the ships he was serving, the Rodney and the Ark Royal sunk off the coast of Gibraltar in 1943 to 1944. Ken supported his mother in these times of loss and protected the family during these dark war years of 1939 to 1945. Ken became involved with the Air Raid Police making sure everyone was out of their homes when bombs were being dropped by German bombers on Plymouth dockyards and on the city houses. Ken helped in many ways, he was a brave lad who showed very little fear and got on the job at hand. He grew up very quickly with a great deal of responsibility; this was to be one of his greatest assets when he reached adulthood.

Ken attended Camelshead School near his home, when he left school at 14 years old he was an apprentice carpenter to a building company, Dudley Coles where he served a 6-year training apprenticeship. He was 16 years old when the war ended and he had completed his second year of apprentiship but Ken was ready to serve his two years compulsory National Service. He joined the Royal Air Force in 1947 and soon was posted to Aden in the Middle East to fight in Egypt and Palestine for which he received his Far Eastern medal. Ken was then posted to Yorkshire where he met his Yorkshire lass, Hilda May Thompson. They married in 1949 in Hilda's hometown of Malton. Hilda's father passed away a few weeks before the wedding but he wanted his daughter to marry her blue eyed Devonshire boy, Ken. The wedding took place with Hilda's mother, sister Joan and brother Keith by her side. Ken and Hilda lived in Plymouth where Ken completed his apprenticeship with Dudley Coles. Finances were tight to say the least, however a massive building program was taking place in Plymouth to rebuild the city after the town had been raised to the ground during the German Blitz. Ken and friends in the building industry had a lot of work but wages were low. Ken soon became involved in the Trade Union fighting for better conditions and fair wages. Thanks to people like Ken for health, safety, better working conditions and wages.

Ken and Hilda's first family home was on a new housing area called Ernesettle on the outskirts of Plymouth where Phil and Chris were born. Ken was an ambitious man, always wanting to better his family's future. He started his first business with his brother-in-law John and sister Barbs, however not long afterwards Ken and Hilda made the boldest move of their lives when they told everyone they were going to Canada. Canada seemed a million miles away then.

Ken was a man with so much courage, a man who was afraid of nothing; a man one could trust with one's life and would never let you down. Those who knew him had so much admiration for him. Ken was a positive man, he saw things very black or white and with very little grey area, one took him, as he was - the rough diamond with a heart of gold. Ken didn't show his underlying deep emotional feelings but he loved his wonderful Hilda dearly and he loved his children. Ken was a man's man, an adventurer, and an explorer who wanted to know more about evolution and in his own way about God.

Samuel Dabner was born on June 18, 1903 in Chatam, Kent, England and died on December 18, 1983. Winifred Dabner was born on April 7, 1905 in the small village of Millbrook, Cornwall, England and died on February 1, 1999. Ken and Hilda were by their sides in spirit and loved them very much.

It's time for me say farewell to my old mate, my brother Ken. I am sharing some of Ken's very full life with those who knew him in Kamloops. Ken was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and brother - a true friend.

Mervyn Dabner,
Plymouth, England