FAMILY and friends have been shocked and saddened by the sudden death of Kevin Giles in Brisbane, Australia, on Sunday, aged 65.

Kevin was born and brought up in Kingswear where his parents had several businesses including the newsagent in The Square and then The Dairy on Fore Street.

He spent his boyhood in boats on the river and later got into motorcycles – rebuilding several, including a vintage Norton.

Kevin left the area and went to work in London. He subsequently emigrated to Australia in the early 1990s.

He became an avid reader of the Dartmouth Chronicle online and was often homesick for his beloved River Dart. This year, after more than 20 years’ absence, Kevin returned for a long holiday in July, with his partner, Lois.

They had a wonderful time spending several weeks in Dartmouth seeing old friends and there was a reunion at the Ship Inn, Kingswear, attended by about 40 people.

Long-time friend Rob Little said: ‘In hindsight, all his friends and family here in the UK are so glad he had the chance to revisit the places of his childhood. He was loved by his close friends in England and will be missed, terribly.’

Kevin leaves a partner, Lois, and adult children Jack and Katie.