Bill D: A Life at the Heart of Chaseley

Driving in a convoy to Bedford, the army lorry Bill of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps was travelling in overturned. He was trapped beneath the engine. Recovery was slow. Bill moved from Bedford General to Wheatley Military Hospital, then to Stoke Mandeville. On 24 November 1957, he arrived at Chaseley.

At the time, Chaseley was a large Victorian house with around 25 residents. For his 21st birthday, everyone clubbed together to buy him a radio and a pair of gold cufflinks, engraved “Chaseley 1958”. Bill kept them for the rest of his life.

He lived at Chaseley on and off for most of his life and became one of our longest-standing residents. Bill was more than someone who lived here. He helped make Chaseley feel like home. New residents often found comfort in his presence, his humour, and the way he quietly drew people in.

“When I was new and didn’t know where to sit, Bill invited me over,” remembers fellow resident H. “He made me feel welcome straight away.”

Bill knew Chaseley’s rhythms and traditions. He loved sharing stories of how life here had changed, from busy dining rooms and drinking competitions to lively Christmases filled with noise and laughter. Among his many adventures, he even had tea at Buckingham Palace with the Queen, a story he told with pride and a smile.

He was also a talented artist and a committed carriage driver. His room reflected that life, with walls lined with rosettes from horse competitions and artwork created with care and patience. Even after he stopped competing, Bill continued to attend events, offering advice, encouragement, and a friendly word.

Family mattered deeply to him. H. remembers his granddaughter standing on the back of his wheelchair, arms wrapped around his shoulders, as he took her upstairs. A small moment that said everything.

Bill lived at Chaseley until his death during the COVID pandemic. He is remembered for his kindness, creativity, and the way he made others feel they belonged.