Death of former captain and ex-president of Leighton Buzzard Golf Club
A former captain and ex-president of Leighton Buzzard Golf Club who was born on the day of the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944 – ultimately bringing the Second World War to an end – has died after a three-year fight to beat prostate cancer.
Simon Clements, who was born on the Isle of Wight but moved to Linslade as a boy and was taught at infant, junior and secondary schools in the town, died on January 28. His funeral takes place on Friday (March 6) with a service at Bierton Crematorium at 12 noon.
A quiet, reserved family man, Simon is succeeded by his widow Judith, daughters Debbie and Michelle, four grandchildrfen and two great grandchildren.
A keen Luton Town supporter, Simon followed his late father Frank and mother Nada with a passion for golf. Frank was Club Captain in 1964 and elected Club Secretary the following year, a position he held until 1991, having been made an Honourable Life Member and Club President in 1974/75.
Despite a busy career as a private investigator and later as a Data Manager with a national energy company, left-handed Simon joined the Leighton club in 1974, was Club Captain in 1981, and Club President in 1990/1991. Brother Trevor was also a keen golfer before he left Leighton to live in the South of England.
The Leighton club in Plantation Road was formed in 1925 and celebrated its centenary last year. Recognised as one of the finest courses in Bedfordshire and surrounding areas, it has more than 600 playing and social members.
The D-Day landings involved the allied invasion of Normandy and the largest seaborne invasion in history. Code named Operation Overlord, its success achieved the liberation of large areas of occupied Europe.