A FORMER chief superintendent with Kent Police, Basil Bailey, has died following a long illness. He was 88.

Mr Bailey was stationed in Maidstone twice during his 30-year career. He beame a civilian clerk at Ashford police station in 1934 and was sworn in as a police officer in 1937 and posted to Tonbridge.

In 1943 he joining the RAF – the same year in which he married his wife, Glen.

On his return, he rejoined the force, serving at Canterbury before moving to Maidstone as a detective constable in 1946 and being promoted to detective sergeant.

After spells at Ashford and Sevenoaks, Mr Bailey returned to Maidstone in 1961 as a detective chief inspector. He spent three years in the county town before moving to Margate as a superintendent, becoming chief superintendent of the then new Thanet division in 1965.

His son-in-law Malcolm Dunstall described the former police chief as “a very correct and meticulous man”.

He added: “He was awe inspiring but also very compassionate and put all his being into nursing Glen when she was ill before her death a few years ago, despite not being well himself. He will be sadly missed by all the family.”

Mr Bailey leaves two daughters Diana and Susan, five grandchildren and a great grandchild.