Obituary: Great Yarmouth docker and shop manager Peter Gardner

Peter Gardner, who also had stints in the merchant navy, Great Yarmouth docks and on the Britannia Pier pleasure boats, died at the age of 83 on June 9.

Born on Queen's Road on March 31, 1940, Mr Gardner spent most of his early years at Thrigby Hall with his aunt and mother.

Peter Gardner sometime in the 1960s. Picture - The Gardner family (Image: The Gardner family)

Mr Gardner joined the merchant navy at 16. During this time, the young Mr Gardner was also part of Great Yarmouth's seasonal aqua show, George Baines' Water Follies.

In his early 20s, Mr Gardner was approached to appear as an extra in the 1963 Hollywood blockbuster Cleopatra. With early filming taking place at Pinewood Studio, Mr Gardner was set to appear alongside Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.

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Peter Gardner died on June 9. Picture - The Gardner family (Image: The Gardner family)

However, filming was halted and resumed in Rome after a near-two-year delay due to Elizabeth Taylor's poor health.

"Even though he didn't make it into the film, he was known as 'Gladiator' by some of his friends," said Mr Gardner's widow Barbara.

"He had to join Equity while the film was in England, so he got paid well despite not being in it."

When Mr Gardner returned to Great Yarmouth, he took over as manager of Toby Sutton's speed boats by the Britannia Pier.

"He took visiting pop stars wherever they wanted to go," said Mr Gardner's son Stephen.

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The 'Whisso Bang' driven by boatbuilder Toby Sutton in 1946. Picture - Museum of the Broads (Image: Museum of the Broads)

Later, Mr Gardner became a docker, working sporadically from 1967 and full-time from 1972 and 1975.

"He was one of the last ten to be taken on," said Mrs Gardner.

After 1975, Mr Gardner managed a shop down Regent Road until his retirement in 2013.

Picture - The Gardner family (Image: The Gardner family)

Mr Gardner's funeral, which took place at the Gorleston Crematorium on June 22, was said to have been attended by around 100 people.

He is survived by his widow Barbara, sons Stephen, Brian and Richard and daughter Bridget.

Peter Gardner was described as the life and soul by widow Barbara. Picture - The Gardner family (Image: The Gardner family)