Rosemary Denise Daniel (nee Wilkinson) beloved wife of the late Colonel John R A Daniel, both of Chideock, Dorset died aged 84 on Wednesday 28 May 2025. She leaves four sons including Tom who returned to the village in 2008.
This is not an obituary (which will be written in due course) but a bit of context for her friends in the village that she loved and those who knew her or wanted to attend her funeral.
Rosemary returned to live in Chideock in 1982 to live near her parents – The Honourable Justice Major James and Denise Wilkinson-Guillemard of Chideock Court, in preparation for her husband, Colonel John Daniel’s retirement from the Army. However Rosemary’s connection with Chideock and Dorset began when, in 1907, her grandmother Daisy Best of Wynford Eagle married an Irishman – Rivallon de la Poer. At the same time one of his sisters Eleanor married Humphrey Weld (the father of the Colonel Humphrey Weld who some senior members of the village may remember) and came to live at Chideock Manor. She was later joined by her sister Yseult Duthie (married to Colonel Arthur Duthie) who, as a couple, built and lived at Chideock Court from 1922 to 1981.
Rosemary’s father James grew up in Eype and met Daisy’s daughter Denise de la Poer through his Stonyhurst schoolfriend (later Colonel) Humphrey Weld whilst on a trip to the de la Poers in Ireland. James was on leave as he was making his way practising law in Nairobi. On the outbreak of war they married in Chideock Catholic Church and headed out to Kenya. Rosemary was born in 1940 – the eldest of what would eventually become a family of six. With James fighting with the KAR in Abyssinia – there was a risk to Kenya and it was decided to evacuate the young family back to England. Aunt Ells kindly took in all her family and the Wilkinson’s were allocated the dinning room at the manor to live in for the duration.
Rosemary went to the Chideock Catholic School and at one point in her life lived for a while in Seatown. In 1945 – with James having fought in Burma, survived and won an MC – the family returned to Kenya. Rosemary continued her education there (she played school tennis for Kenya) and then back in England.
Rosemary trained as a nursery nurse at St. Thomas’s hospital in London. Faith was always important to Rosemary and she professed a desire to become a nun. Whilst many of her family were religious this was considered a step too far and she was sent to visit relatives and then work in Malta and hopefully meet someone to change her mind. She met her future husband John Daniel, an army officer, who was serving there with the Royal Fusiliers. They were engaged within 5 days and only after they were engaged would she agree to put her arms around him on his motorbike. They went on to have four sons as they were posted all round the UK and the world including living in Germany, Yeman, Hong Kong (where she dragon boat raced), Kenya, Poland and Saudi Arabia.
In preparation for retirement in 1982 they bought the White House in Mill Lane as by that time Rosemary’s parents were living in Chideock Court. Rosemary and Colonel John (who died in 2004) were active in Chideock life (at one point the village fete was held in their garden) and especially the Catholic Church. Rosemary played the organ there for about 20 years and she and John helped the Welds and priests prepare and run the services. Faith was central to Rosemary’s life and she was a governor at Catholic schools in Bridport and Axminster. Next came family -she leaves 4 sons, 9 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren so far.
After John died – Rosemary moved to Dawn Cottage where she lived for many years and continued to thrive on all things Chideock, her faith, family and friends. She moved only last year to the Old Vicarage in Leigh near Sherborne where she described herself as “on mission” welcoming new residents and organising events. She sadly passed away on Wednesday 28th May after a short illness. May she rest in peace.
Rosemary’s funeral will be at 1400 on Friday 20th June at the Catholic Church in Chideock. It will be followed immediately afterward by a private burial with just the family. If you would like to attend please email her sons at hi@cd42.net