Former director responsible for much of Bexhill’s post-war development has died

John Larkin, a retired former director of the firm, died in the Conquest Hospital. He was 85.

In the firm’s heyday, Larkin-built was synonymous with quality construction. The firm of R.A. Larkin and Brothers Ltd. had been founded before the Second World War by the late Reg Larkin – usually referred to as ‘R.A.’

Reg was swiftly joined by his brothers Jack and Geoff.

John Larkin was born at Whitehouse Farm, Pembury Grove, Bexhill the son of Jack and Wynn Larkin.

He was educated at the Down Infants and Junior School and at Bexhill Grammar School.

He worked in a bank before doing National Service in the RAF in Records. Poor eyesight robbed him of his ambition to become a pilot and he was put on Air Traffic Control duty.

Invited to stay on in the RAF after National Service he declared: “If I can’t have the joy-stick between my legs I don’t want to know!”

After studying Building at college he joined the family firm, working his way up through the ranks with training in bricklaying, carpentry, decorating and plumbing.

He will be primarily remembered for his role in supervising the construction of the firm’s series of blocks of flats on West Parade between 1969 and 1982. This large project swiftly became known as ‘The Windies’ for each block was named after a Caribbean island that ‘R.A.’ and his wife had visited on their travels.

John was a man of considerable courage. Whenever the safety inspector came to check the immense tower crane used in the flats’ construction John made it a point of honour to crawl out onto the swaying jib with the inspector.

John was responsible for saving his father’s life. Both were standing beneath the crane when the cable snapped. John glanced up as a heavy load of 8ftx4ft steel reinforcing crashed towards them from sixth floor level.

John leapt forward and rugby-tackled his father to safety. Both escaped though John suffered an ankle injury.

His other projects included the development in the 1960s of the Hurchington Estate with roads such as Courthope Drive and Riders Bolt.

Many properties that had been built by the firm or were owned and rented out by them were damaged in the Great Storm of 1987. John Larkin, responsible for managing the repairs to them over a six month period, was confronted by a gang of ‘builders’ from Newcastle offering their services for £200 a day each.

John sent them away with the proverbial ‘flea in the ear’.

Every effort was made by Larkin Brothers to prioritise their clients during this hectic time.

John Larkin worked for the firm for 33 years, being made a director after 25 years’ service. His tenure with the firm ended when he and his surviving uncle, Geoff Larkin, sold to Prowting Builders. Mr Prowting had been a long-term associate of Reg Larkin and had been promised first refusal if the firm came up for sale.

John Larkin counted himself fortunate to have been able to retire at 53. He had almost as many years in retirement as he had in working life.

Together with his wife, June, John was for many years a prominent figure in local photographic circles. Both were accomplished award-winning amateur photographers in their own right. Both served in distinguished office in Bexhill Photographic Club and latterly until its closure with the Little Common club.

June worked as Reference Librarian at Bexhill Library from 1965 to 1972 and as branch librarian at Rye from 1972 until her retirement in 1981.

The couple took up bowls in 1994. John was a past Captain of the Polegrove club, Captain of the Spartans Club in 2010-11 its President in 2016-17.

John and June had been looking forward to celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary.

In addition to June and half-sister Barbara, John leaves sons Andrew and Ralph.