Great-grandad's tiny joy, days before death

4:00pm Friday 17th October 2008

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PROUD family man Anthony Rance got the chance to meet his new great grandson just days before he died in a car crash outside a school between Melksham and Devizes.

Mr Rance, 76, from Bromham, was able to meet baby Jamie, after his granddaughter Samantha gave birth on October 5, two weeks prematurely.

Mr Rance’s family said despite the tragic turn of events they were glad he got the chance to see his ninth great grandchild.

His red Peugeot veered off the A342 and mounted a kerb before crashing into a wall outside Rowdeford School at about 12.45pm on Friday.

His daughter Beverley Jenkinson, 41, said: “If Samantha hadn’t given birth when she did then he wouldn’t have got the chance to meet Jamie.

“Jamie’s name had already been decided upon, but they are now looking to change his middle name to Anthony.

“There are so many things I will remember him by. He was so happy-go-lucky. He was very much a family man, but I think a lot of people will remember him for his whistling.

“He was always whistling, all kinds of tunes including country and western. You could hear him coming from miles away.”

Mr Rance, from New Road, in Bromham, lived in the area with his wife Mary for about 52 years.

After working on the roads laying tarmac, his last job was with a demolition company before he retired at the age of 50.

The couple had four daughters and one son, 14 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

Mr Rance’s son John, 45, said he and many others would always remember his father as someone who put others first and was always there to lend a helping hand.

He said: “He put everyone first. If someone had a problem with their car then he would be the first to help out and offer his services.

“He loved growing vegetables and before he developed arthritis he liked fishing.

“He also loved going to watch Swindon Speedway and I remember as a child going to watch it with him. He used to go there every week.”

A post mortem examination has been carried out and an inquest is due to be opened this week.

Police are investigating the crash and appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Mr Rance’s funeral will take place at the Church of St Nicholas in Bromham at 12.45pm on Tuesday, followed by a service at West Wiltshire Crematorium in Semington and a wake at Bromham Social Centre.

Friends and family are invited to both services and the wake and are asked to make any donations to Diabetes UK and the British Heart Foundation.