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| 6 Jan 2026 | |
| Written by Alice Whymark | |
| Obituaries |
The following obituary was written by Angela Purdy, a lifelong friend of Charles and his family.
BATCHELOR Charles John, born on 11 December 1959 and died on 19 September 2025.
Charles died peacefully at Exeter Hospital aged 66 after a long illness bravely born.
Charles very much enjoyed his time at Tonbridge (PS 73-78), going on to study Agriculture and Estate Management at the University of Reading.
Born in Kent, Charles moved to Dulverton, Somerset following his studies at the University of Reading.
He very much enjoyed shooting, being part of large ‘shoots’ in the area and loaded for many distinguished gentlemen over a 25-year period.
Together with his mother Gillian and his second wife Lesley he kept several hundred head of sheep on the family farm.
Their love of the Australian outback took him and Lesley to the bush every year to relax, fish and enjoy exploring; travelling around in a camper-converted 101 Forward Control Land Rover that Charles completed himself, being a self-taught mechanic, engineer and carpenter.
Charles is survived by his mother Gillian, his son Daniel and two young grandsons as well as his wife Lesley and her son James.
He will be sorely missed. RIP
(PS 73-78)
