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April 2011

Charlie Brighton's Passing
By Phil Westren

Pirates of a certain vintage will be saddened to hear that a former player, Charlie Brighton, has recently passed away.

Charlie, aged 79, was born in Penzance to William Charles and Emily Brighton, and was educated at the Penzance Boys' Grammar School

He played for a Pirates youth side called the 'Colts' in the late 1940s, and then for the senior sides through the fifties and into the early 1960s. Besides rugby Charlie was also a keen swimmer in his youth.

During national service, in the RAF, Charlie served about the world in places such as Sarawak, Borneo, El Adem, and Malta. After training to be a teacher at St. Luke's College, Exeter, he rejoined the RAF as a regular, stationed at RAF Yatesbury, Wiltshire. He played rugby for Dorset & Wiltshire, plus also Saracens and Berkshire, and then left the RAF to teach in private schools.

On retirement he returned to Penzance, living in Heamoor and then Hayle.

Condolences are expressed to Charlie's family, including younger brother Richard, who also played for the Pirates and is still a stalwart supporter of the club.

Of interest, Charlie was one of eight children, the others being Mary and Frank (both deceased), Nancy, John, Julia, Richard and Cathrine. Married to Christine, Charlie and his wife were parents to Beatrice, Julius, Alice and Daniel.

Charlie's funeral service will take place at Treswithian Downs Crematorium, Camborne, on Friday 6th May at 11am.