My darling Richard. Thank you for nearly 14years of love and laughter. You will always be my husband, best friend, sounding board and lover. My heart is broken. I love you and miss you so much. I hope you enjoy your cold beer on the beach, you deserve it! Till we meet again my darling. Much love always for ever and a day. Jeanette xxxxxxxx
Farewell Dick. Another fine 'copper' taken far too early.
I will always remember you and Jeanette taking this old boy to London! Dark days but still you managed a smile....at my expense!!
Rest in peace young man.
I’m absolutely devastated to hear that you have left us. We used to sit and chat and have a cuppa at Battle Police Station and when I told you I was going to leave my civilian role in the Police and actually join as a Police Officer, you were so supportive. You really were one of the nicest colleagues I met. My thoughts are with your wife and son. You’re now reunited with your lovely daughter. So sad. Rest in peace my lovely friend xxxxxxxx
The kindest, funniest man, with the most beautiful garden in Wannock. Always had time to chat, and always spoke so proudly of his family and lovely wife. We talked about the porn shed at the Vontraps, the ‘bloody’ dog and how much exercise we were doing.
Such a pleasure to have known you, a privilege to call you our friend and I promise we will always be there for Jeanette if she ever needs. Sleep well Richard, x
A privilege and an honour to know you, an even bigger honour to call you our friend.
The biggest smile, and driest sense of humour- could have us chatting for ages on the path about the vontraps porn shed, the “bloody” dog and how beautiful your garden is and any tips your could pass our way!!we discussed our excercise regimes, your proudly told me about your 4000 hours during lock down! You always spoke proudly of your family and your love for Jeanette, Richard, it’s an absolute priveledge to have known you- and we promise 100% to look out for Jeanette!! That’s what us nurses do you see!!
Now sleep well, make another beautiful garden somewhere else, put in thousands of hours of excercise and shine brightly like the truly fantastic man you are. All our love xxx
Dick
You were one of greatest men l ever had the honour to call a friend and the best sergeant l ever worked with. You were much loved and will be much missed. xxx
Goodbye Richard, I just wanted to say thank you so much for loving and taking care of my dear friend..... your loving wife Jeanette.
I hope you know... and I'm sure you do.... just how much she loved and cared about you and always will.
She had some very hard years prior to meeting you, but you changed that, and she always spoke of the happiness and love she had found with you.
Rest in peace Richard until you are reunited again.
Missing you Richard. It is a privilege to be your Brother in Law. Love you, Rob. Xx
It was a privilege to know you and an honor to have you as a member of my family , Richard you were quite some guy and I will miss you . Daphne. Xxx
Why are all the good ones taken too early? You will be missed by all your family and friends. Rest in peace, reunited with your daughter
Richard you were a kind and caring person who always put others first. You helped out your neighbours during a difficult summer, cutting our lawn for us until I could get a lawnmower and washing cars for others. It was always great to see you working on your lovely garden. You always seemed to be busy doing something. You will be sadly missed missed by us both, rest in peace.
Dick, it was an absolute pleasure to know and work with you, and most of all, a privilege to call you a friend. Charles
Dick
I was so sorry to hear the sad news. I was hoping you would have a long and happy retirement after working so hard for all those years. A thoroughly decent, hardworking and honest man, taken far too soon. It was an honour and privilege to know you and work with you. Rest in peace. Lots of love. Paula xxx
A lovely husband to my big sis, you are missed and have left a big hole that can't be filled.
Love Alyson and family
I was truly heartbroken to hear the news about Dicks passing, he really was the most kind and loveliest man you could meet.
He was also the best supervisor that I have worked with he was so caring and helped me a great deal when I suffered my own loss, which I will forever grateful for.
Dick you will be truly missed, heaven has gained a true gentleman. Wish I had the chance to say good bye, sending lots of love to your family.
Lots of love Lucy and Darran x x x x
Oddly our paths never crossed during our time in the police. We eventually met when you joined the Bedes transport team, and I quickly recognised then what a kind and genuine person you were. As I said when we last spoke, I miss our ‘sensible’ conversations. You were taken too soon mate. My thoughts are with Jeanette, Steven and your family.
I worked with Dick for several years on East Sussex division. I always found him to be very kind, supportive and empathetic to all his colleagues. He was a very committed and professional officer and case director. I remember his good humour and humanity that made working with him a very pleasant and positive experience. I send my love and Best Wishes to Dick's family
Taken far too soon Dick, I was so shocked to hear the news of your passing. You were the most supportive helpful person when I worked in the RIT and so committed to your job. A genuine nice guy. Love Sue xxx
Thinking of you Jeanette at this very sad time. We know how much you will miss him as he was your world.
Always in our thoughts.
All our love to you and we will remember Richard with great fondness xx
Dick, the two years I worked with you were my most enjoyable as a sergeant. You were always there to lend an ear and provide me with advice. We worked hard but had a lot of fun. I gained a lot of experience but more importantly gained a friend. I really enjoyed our catch ups and was so pleased it continued after you’d left Sussex Police. You were a man of the people and are sadly missed by all of the “troops”. You devoted your life to policing and no doubt touched the lives of many during this time.
I first worked with Dick whilst on RIT in Sussex Police. He was such a lovely supervisor and then became a friend also. He always concerned himself with the welfare of his colleagues and would go out of his way to try and help people. This quality always made him stand out as a great supervisor.
Dick always liked having a laugh with everyone and would always be the one to try and look at the positives in work situations when clearly there wasn't which always made us laugh. I remember Dick always being very smartly dressed and had the "old school" police style in him.
I am saddened that this has happened to a true gentleman, I will truly miss him and I am grateful that I got a chance to work alongside him.
Sending all my love to Jeanette and all of Dicks family, friends and colleagues.
Dick, without doubt one of the most dedicated professional Police Officers I ever worked with and blessed with a great sense of humour - I remember asking for your advice many on times in my early career in Hastings and Rother - So sorry to hear this sad news x
Dick, you were one of the nicest people I met while working for Sussex Police. Such sad news to hear of your death and thoughts with your family. Xxxxx
A good man I am proud to have called a friend a colleague
Dick, I was so sorry to hear of your passing. Such a shock and a huge loss. I enjoyed working for you in RIT. You were a brilliant supervisor and truly a lovely genuine person. It was nice to bump into you at St Bedes where Daisy attended with her swimming and to see you enjoying life outside Sussex Police; much deserved. Rest in peace now, run free, enjoy the sun shining on you for all the good you brought to the world Much Love Chari & Andy xxx
Always a gent, and a rock, full of good advice and willing to listen and help.
Sleep tight Dick.
Mr Dick Gilderdale, Sir! Firstly I would like to say a big thank you to you. Working with you as my supervisor was a pleasure. Your sense of humour was a welcome relief and I will always remember you for that.
Your passing is far too soon for such a brilliant man who had so much to deal with in life. May you now get some rest. It was a pleasure to have known you. I’m sending my love and comfort to your family. The world is not so bright without you in it.
Dick was just the nicest person. Nothing was ever too much trouble and I remember always being relieved to see him as the Case Director on duty at Hastings. He was always so helpful and never made me feel stupid in my early years. He will be very sadly missed ❤️
I was so sad to hear of Dick’s passing. A thoroughly lovely man who was so professional and hard working. One of the best supervisors I had the privilege of working alongside. I’m so sorry for Dick’s family as I hoped he would get to enjoy a long and happy retirement as he so deserved. A gentleman who always had a smile and positive outlook even in the most dreadful of times. Sending my love and thoughts to Dick and his family x
Dick. Our paths first crossed during your days as a case director. We immediately hit it off, perhaps a similar sense of humour? You are a true gentleman, never too busy to lend a hand, give advice, and lead the team. Someone who nobody had a bad word to say about, and someone who will be dearly missed...
Rest in peace Dick
Dick,
I was so sad to hear of your passing. Back being a new recruit I will always remember how I felt at ease upon walking into the prosecution team office to see you there. You were so approachable, kind and would always make time to listen and give advice. Just the simplest of things in that you would always say 'Hello Elliott' everytime I saw you in or out of work, instead of just a standard 'Hello' showed that you cared for others.
Heaven has gained another good one. Condolences to your family and friends x
Dick was one of the first people to greet me when I started in custody. He was always so warm and welcoming, always smiling and always happy to stop and chat.
A truly lovely man who will be missed by all that had the pleasure of meeting him.
Sleep well Dick. xx
A nicer man you could not find . His heart was made of gold . His kindness to all was behind reproach . Your labours done my friend so rest your weary head at last . Your job is done. RIP Ken Bruce
Dick, so sad to hear of your passing. Loved working with you at Battle when I was a probationer in the late 90’s. Such a great and dedicated police officer. You always had time to chat and have a catch up when our paths crossed over the years. Remembering you fondly and much love to you family. Sleep well xx
I have so many happy memories of Dick, he helped me and guided me when I was a young probationer and I was always so happy to see him in the office ! He was always so patient and friendly . He truly was a kind man with a heart of gold and it was a pleasure to have crossed his path at Hammonds drive ! He really was One of the best. Rest in peace Dick and my thoughts are with your family, close friends and colleagues at this time x
Lovely man... always had time to stop and chat and ask how you were.. a true gentleman .. will be sadly missed xx
So sorry at the loss of Dick Gilderdale (Victor Meldrew). He was a superb Supervisor on Investigations at Eastbourne. Always made me laugh when his mobile phone went off in the office to the theme tune of "One Foot in the Grave!" Legend.
Dick was such a lovely man, whenever I saw him he was smiling and looking ever so smart! Always willing to try to help and if he couldn't he was very diplomatic about it!! Such a shame to hear of his passing, sleep well xx
I was fortunate to work with Dick at Hastings in the case directors team. He was a fantastic guy to work with and was always so passionate about policing. I can still picture him now getting excited over a positive result on an investigation. He always had the biggest smile and the greatest work ethic. There is nothing that he would not do for you, he was always willing to help anyone. To me, he was like a work dad, he was always there for me when I needed him both professionally and personally. Im so pleased you met Jeanette and got to have the happiness you truly deserved, im just sorry it wasn’t for longer. Thank you for everything xx
I first came to know Dick as a Case Director on the Prosecution team who so very nearly persuaded me to join the unit before becoming my supervisor on RIT.
His ethos and work ethic were second to none. He always made sure his staff came first and often wouldn't end his shift without first making sure he knew all of his staff had either safely booked off or had any support they needed whilst they were still on.
There were also many occasions when he would call me off duty when I had a tough shift, just to make sure I was ok and if there was anything he could do.
There wasnt a problem which couldn't be solved without the help of biscuits (or cake - thank you Jeanette).
He was at times challenged by technology and often somehow managed to lose one program or another leading to one of his many famous Victor Meldrew impressions.
The world has lost another true Gent.
My condolences go to Jeanette, Stephen and family.
Richard, Dick, Boss, friend you will be missed.
So sad to hear of your passing at such a young age.
I can hear you now saying "Boogar" looking at us all down here.
Hope you've found your daughter and catch up on those Christmases you've missed.
Dearest Richard
You have always been so very kind to me and my family and a tower of strength in the darkest of days. You taken time, care and energy to keep in touch and I miss you dreadfully.
Liz Barrett xxx
Still can’t believe it and a bit lost for words . . so sad!
I met Dick just prior to joining RIT and was so happy to find out he would be my supervisor. Such a lovely person, who was old school, always willing to help and would look out for you (and his team).
Rest in peace Dick.
My condolences to Jeanette and family!xxx
The world has lost a little colour tonight. I only worked with Dick a few years as a custody sgt when he was a case director. In that time I found him to have been one of the kindest and most thoughtful staff members I’ve worked in parallel with. I feat I will always have regrets that i didn’t know him longer, better or off duty. Rest now your labours are finished.