Tribute to Olympian killed outside garden centre

Anthony Brian Hebditch was knocked down by a lorry in Fareham

Anthony Brian Hebditch was killed outside a garden centre
Author: Jason BeckPublished 14th Nov 2023
Last updated 14th Nov 2023

The family of an Olympian who died after being hit by a lorry at a garden centre in Fareham say he was a 'true old-fashioned gentleman'.

Anthony Brian Hebditch was killed outside Stewarts on Mill Lane in Titchfield on 1 November.

The 75-year-old was a renowned clay shooter, who represented Great Britain at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal in Canada.

Today Brian's children have paid tribute to him.

They said: "Brian Hebditch, our dad, meant so much us. He loved his job as a shooting coach and ran a shooting school in Hampshire for many years.

"When our mum was diagnosed with cancer he sold his business and devoted himself to caring for her until her death.

"His friends describe him as a true old-fashioned gentleman, great company and a great shot.

"He was also a renowned clay shooter at national and international levels, and represented Britain in skeet shooting at the Montreal Olympics in 1976.

"We are devastated he is no longer here. His death leaves a huge hole in our family, we will miss him so much, as will his grandchildren, his friends and his new puppy."

Enquiries into the exact circumstances of the collision are ongoing.

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