David Preston Maynard (OB 1945-1953)

David Preston Maynard (OB 1945-1953)

David – known in the family as Wig – was born at Ongar & District Cottage Hospital, Shelley, on 12 May 1935, the eldest child and only son of Reginald and Ethel Maynard. His sister, Dawn, arrived the following year. Their childhood was spent on Red House Farm at Doddinghurst which Reginald ran as a poultry farm. David received his education at Dunkeld Primary school in Brentwood and then at Brentwood School from 1946 to 1953, where he was a member of East Town and played various sports for his House.

David did his National Service in the Royal Signals, serving from 1 October 1953 to September 1955. After training, he served as a Radio Operator with 2 Squadron, 2 Wireless Regiment in Cyprus from June 1954, earning him the General Service Medal with clasp “Cyprus”.

After demobilisation, David worked for 5 years as a bookkeeper and cashier at the United Kingdom Tea Co. Ltd, in Paul St, Finsbury, a firm with small grocery shops. In 1962 he joined Pacol Ltd in Mincing Lane in the City of London where he remained for over 30 years until retiring. Pacol was a commodity company and dealt in cocoa, rubber, coffee and spices. A former colleague commented on how David “knew everything in cocoa bean/butter accounting”! 

David never married. He lived with his parents, at Hanging Hill Lane, Hutton after the farm was sold. After his mother died in 1982, he and his father moved to St Mary’s Avenue, Shenfield, where he cared for his father who was almost blind and who died in 1993. At both houses, he was able to indulge one of his major passions which was gardening. The gardens were in pristine condition and everything was tended lovingly. Roses were a particular forte, and he enjoyed growing more exotic plants in the greenhouse and looking after a small pond. In retirement in particular, he was also able to indulge his love of the countryside, going on daily bike rides or walks around the area.

After his father’s death, David continued to live independently until the autumn of 2020, when a decline in his health meant that he had to move into Old Shenfield Place care home. He died at Basildon Hospital on 23 July 2022.

David loved the countryside and was a supporter of Essex Wildlife Trust. Donations in his memory may be made at this link or by sending a donation c/o Bennetts Funeral Directors, 120 High Street, Brentwood CM14 4AS.

Written by David's nephew, Ian Miller (OB 1976-1982)