Tribute to 'brilliant' grandfather after caravan park tragedy while on holiday in Shropshire

A wife has paid an emotional tribute to her husband who died when he was hit by a car while on holiday at a Shropshire caravan park.

David Ratcliffe, who was 81, died on Monday, May 11, after he was injured at the caravan park at Mile Bank Farm at Whitchurch on Saturday, April 25.

Mr Ratcliffe, who was a former prison officer, was from Tamworth, and had been married to his wife Pauline, for 40 years.

Mrs Ratcliffe has paid tribute to her husband saying they did ‘everything together’ and described him as a ‘brilliant grandfather, stepfather, and husband’.

She said: “We had been together for 41 years and married for 40 years, in that time we spent most of our working lives together, as well as our spare time and time with family.

“Dave was a quiet man, but he loved his caravan and we had been going to the site in Whitchurch for three years. This was meant to be our last year in the caravan ending in October.

“We met in Lichfield, and from there we ran a number of pubs together across Staffordshire.

“After we came out of the pubs he entered the prison service.

“We then managed a caravan site together for three years.

“After we finished running the pubs and site, we became dog sitters looking after other people’s dogs while they went away.

“We did everything together. Nothing was too much for Dave, he would help anyone who needed it, friends and neighbours. He was a real handyman.

“He loved his grandchildren and even dressed up as Santa at Christmas when my daughter was a childminder for the kids.

“Dave was a lovely man, he was a brilliant grandfather, stepfather, and husband, as well as a great friend to those closest to us.

“We will never forget Dave, and he will be missed by us all.”

A 13-year-old girl, and a 48-year-old man arrested in connection with the collision remain on police bail as enquiries continue.