Naval tribute at funeral of ex-licensee
Ernie Holton, a former Shropshire licensee who was also the father of the famous rocker and actor Gary Holton, has died at the age of 93.
Mr Holton, from Shrewsbury, served in the Royal Navy during the war on the frigate HMS Hotham and his funeral at Emstrey crematorium on June 21 at 2pm will include a guard of honour from the Royal Naval Association.
The family hails originally from South London. Ernie and first wife Joan moved from Buntingford in Hertfordshire to Welshpool at the end of 1969, and he gave up a good job with Sainsbury’s to become a publican, taking over the Wellington Inn in the Mid Wales town.
In 1972 he went to the Crown & Sceptre in Minsterley, and then also had the Tankerville Arms at Longden from 1975. His last job was as steward at Meole Brace Bowling Club, in charge of the bar there.
Son Gary played in the band the Heavy Metal Kids, and mum and dad went to the sold out Shrewsbury Music Hall to watch when he performed there in 1975.
Later Gary forged an acting career, starring in the hit 1980s TV show Auf Wiedersehen Pet in which he played ladies’ man Wayne Norris.
He had a reputation for hard living and died aged only 32 - Ernie said all sources had his birth date wrong so wrongly gave Gary's age as 33 - in 1985 and his ashes were brought to Welshpool for burial.
Mr Holton is survived by wife Joy, sons Tony and Nigel, stepson Mark, and grandchildren Jake, Ben, Jack, Joe, and Red, who was Gary's son.
"It's sad, but he had a good innings," said Tony.
