A NOTED authority on early Isle of Wight coaches and buses, Patrick Hall, has died in hospital aged 73, following a short Covid-19 related illness.

Mr Hall was born in the West Wight to Wilfred and Emily Hall, the youngest of three siblings, but was brought up by his Auntie Vera and Uncle Arthur Pardey in Newport.

After attending Northwood Primary and Carisbrooke Grammar schools, Mr Hall joined the Isle of Wight Council as a planning researcher and minute compiler.

He left for an outdoor career in garden maintenance, subsequently setting up his own business.

The 1970s saw him employed as a bus driver for Southern Vectis and Brighton, Hove and District, a role familiar to his father, uncle, brother, nephew and brother-in-law, all of whom worked in the industry.

Mr Hall was intensely proud that his grandfather, Herbert Hall, and his Uncle Hilton, operated a Freshwater carriers business which began bus operations from Princes Road Garage in 1928.

With intense interest in local social history, Mr Hall undertook extensive research into early road passenger transport, interviewing retired staff pioneers, with the results self-published as 'The Motor Bus in the Isle of Wight before 1919.'

Marrying Jeanette Gould at Newport Registry Office in 1985, the couple lived in Chillerton for many years.

Mr Hall had resumed his garden maintenance firm at this time, becoming well-known throughout the Island, but was to suffer from diminishing health after his retirement at the age of 67.

He leaves his wife, sister Angela, step-sister Julie, nephews Gary, Steve and Norton, nieces Debbie and Nicola and their families.