Tributes were today paid to retired businessman Tony Fetherston, who was murdered at his Caribbean holiday home.

His friends at Walton and Frinton Yacht Club - where he was a lifelong member - told of their shock and sadness at the tragedy.

Mr Fetherston, 67, was gunned down on the doorstep of the villa in St Kitts. He was well-respected and liked at the club and had strong links with the area.

His family had a home in Greenway, Frinton, for many years and his parents also lived in Kirby.

Martin Wilberforce, who had known the couple for around 40 years, said: "He was a quiet, unassuming person who was always ready to help people less fortunate than himself. This is a terrible tragedy and a great shock."

Mr Wilberforce said the couple had met through the yacht club and married in 1967.

Mr Fetherston served as an officer in the RAF before joining the family's firm of international forwarding agents where he was a director.

He travelled the world in connection with the business.

The couple had a boat at Walton until it was sold about five years ago. Mr Fetherston was commodore of the club in 1964 and 1965 and a committee member after that.

Mr Fetherston's funeral is due to be held in St Kitts tomorrow.

Tony Fetherston - died instantly from his wounds.

Picture: STEVE ARGENT

Shots heard by wife and daughter

The wife and daughter of retired businessman Tony Fetherston heard him being shot as they were talking on the telephone.

Margaret Fetherston, 62, was speaking to her 27-year-old daughter, Alexandra, who was in New York, as the shots were fired.

Mr Fetherston died instantly from wounds to his chest after a gunman confronted him at his property on the island of St Kitts.

The couple, who lived in Woodbridge and had another home in Frinton, were three weeks into their long winter break. Their daughter immediately travelled to the island to comfort her mother.

It is believed Mr Fetherston was about to go to bed when there was a knock at the door. The man demanded money and Mr Fetherston said he had none. He was then shot by the intruder. His wife called the police.

Two men were today being questioned by island police about the shooting. Dr Denzil Douglas, prime minster of St Kitts, said that catching Mr Fetherston's killer was a priority.

Tony saved the yacht club

Friends of murdered businessman Tony Fetherston have told how his endeavours saved Walton and Frinton Yacht Club.

Chris Brooke, a past commodore of the club, paid tribute to the work Mr Fetherston carried out at the site in Mill Lane.

"If it wasn't for all the structural work he carried out - much at his own expense - the club would have fallen into the creek by now," he said.

"He organised the building of all the quays himself in his spare time with help from other members. He was able to turn his hand to that sort of thing."

Secretary of the club, Di Pickard, added: "The building we have now is because of his hard work. This has been an enormous shock and he will be sorely missed - he is part of the club's history. Our thoughts are with his wife and daughter."

Mrs Pickard said invitations were due to be sent out for the commodore's lifeboat supper - to which Mr Fetherston was always invited.

"It is things like that which bring home what has happened and make it so poignant," she said.

The club's flag was flown at half mast as a mark of respect.

I will miss my good friend

Walton and Frinton Yacht Club member Terry Sandell told how he learnt of the death of his close friend Tony Fetherston when a newspaper cutting was put through his door.

Mr Sandell said he could hardly believe it. They had been close friends for about 35 years - although he had not seen him for some months.

"I cannot tell you how shocked I was to discover Tony had been killed," he said.

"Everybody liked him and no-one would have a bad word to say about him. I will miss him a great deal."

For Mr Sandell it brought memories flooding back of the many hours he and Mr Fetherston spent working at the club in Mill Lane.

"The wall on which the clubhouse is built started to fall down," he recalled.

"Tony got a crane, barge and lorry in and we fixed it up. We also built the car park - they are very happy memories for me.

"We made the yacht club safe - but it was really Tony's doing."

Mr Sandell also used to go out sailing with Mr Fetherston and they made several trips over to the continent.

"He was a jolly nice chap and we became good friends," he added.

"Tony did a great deal for the club. He used to transport equipment and tents down to Stone Point for club parties, which were great fun.

"He really was a doer rather than a talker."

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