Group Members, Past and Present
In memory of Albert Daniels, former MAAG Archaeological Director, who died in hospital aged 73, on the 24th November 2020.
'The passing of an era, not just a man. He defined so much that is both historical and archaeological both in Maidstone and beyond for so many years, that his death leaves an Albert-shaped vacuum that will be impossible to fill. To say he will be missed, both as the charismatic person and archaeological pundit that he was, is an understatement.'
'Albert was very experienced in excavation. His stonework cleaning and preparation for photography was inspirational - and so fast. He was very funny with finds though - he would go through the trays and very quickly and unequivocally chuck various things out - usually over this shoulder'.
'Albert had a great sense of humour (dry and delivered at the very right moment), he was a great person in KAS meetings and donated many of his books to the University, students and staff and arranged the donations from others. From time to time I picked up on that depth of knowledge he had.'
'Albert was always smiling and was very patient and encouraging with us amateurs . I spent a very memorable and entertaining day with him sorting and numbering finds at Lullingstone. He had a wicked sense of humour too!'
From the Heritage team at KCC:
-Albert was extremely knowledgeable, always helpful and friendly and droll. Was a great supporter of our work, taking on access watching briefs in the Maidstone area. Enjoyed working with him on several community projects. He was also a familiar face on the conference circuit as he expanded his knowledge. A lovely chap who will be greatly missed both professionally and personally
-I was always so grateful to Albert for his help with watching brief Maidstone and Tonbridge areas. He was a lovely man to know.
-He was a regular at Hastings Area Archaeological Research Group meetings and generally very supportive of HAARG and work in East Sussex. I know the HAARG members will miss Albert.
From wider community:
-One of my fondest memories was his long and deep trench at Randall Manor on the hall side. When asked if he'd found anything the reply was "clay, clay & more clay but no trench is a waste of time " said with a smile on his face.
-Albert was really easy to work for, he had an attitude that was easy going but got the job done. One of the biggest things he taught me, and he taught me quite a lot, was that I shouldn't be too afraid of making a mistake. Whenever we found anything, especially on the Roman site at East Farleigh, he was always willing to let us do it ourselves, which was something I always appreciated. His favourite saying was 'it won't change the course of history' luckily he didn't have to use it too often with me.
-I have a great memory of Albert from Lullingstone 2019. There was a quilting event at the Castle up the road, and cars would go around the roundabout at the Villa, not knowing where they were going and start towards the car park along by the Finds tent. This resulted in a lot of reversing and general mishap. Albert took control and for half an hour at a time would stand in the middle of the road, pointing towards the Castle yelling 'QUILTS' at all the cars coming his way. It was a wonderfully surreal moment in the English countryside.
Albert’s knowledge, support and trojan like digging qualities were invaluable to me as a green community archaeologist, running a large scale dig. His dry wit and ability to call a spade a spade was loved by all at Randall. Latterly I always enjoyed his phone calls, which would start with a long Annnnnnnnnnders. During the Lullingstone dig in 2019 I made a point of walking to site via the finds tent each morning, when he would ask me what was new, before we engaged in a bit of gossip. Albert was one of a dwindling band of gifted amateur archaeologists, with an encyclopaedic knowledge that was valued by everyone he met.
An obituary, published in the Kent Messenger can be found at https://www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/news/archaeologists-mourn-passing-of-their-leading-light-238317/?fbclid=IwAR3zvVqeeMyIlk9lX_nIRXdbXh1pmFOY6XhCzfTYB9ZZc8hBptySN5OSL0s
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In memory of Trevor Simmons, who sadly collapsed and died on site at East Farleigh on the 2nd of October 2016.
"I always enjoyed digging with Trevor and It’s hard to believe that he has died as I
always saw him as somebody that was really fit, it just goes to show we mustn’t take
anything for granted."
"One of Nature's gentlemen; a gentle, unassuming soul and one
of the best diggers it has ever been my privilege to work alongside. No-one could cut
a better section or better trowel a surface. He will be greatly missed."
"He understood what was needed from each of us as archaeologists and
what we as individuals could manage. This is where his incredible
strength and stamina came in- how anyone could work all day on a
banana and a few self-rolled ciggies is a mystery!"
"Trevor was kind and friendly, full of words of wisdom wrapped up in a
dry sense of humour. If the last minutes of a person’s life are the most important then it was a
great honour to be with Trevor at his end. What a way to go - trowel in one hand, a ciggie in the other and friends near-by!"