Tony Pine Tribute

It’s with sadness to report the passing of Anthony Daniel (Tony) Pine at a rest home in Folkestone on 1st October 2025 aged 89 (30th April 1936 – 1st October 2025)

Son of Ernie, eldest of 12 and Ellen known as Nellie, youngest of 13. Tony was born within the sound of Bow Bells making him a true Cockney

Moving to Whitstable in 1939 he attended Whitstable Boys School, leaving school he joined Bowaters, then went into the RAF until he was 22 before returning to the night shift at Bowaters which suited him best

In the early 1960’s Whitstable was nothing but a sleepy little fishing town, best known for Whitstable Native Oysters

Unlike today with Whitstable sprawling outwards and invaded by what locals call DFL’s (Down from London)

The Army Forts abandoned in 1958, Shivering Sands was the first taken over for radio broadcasting in May 1964

Hardly a backdrop for shenanigans on WWII abandoned structures on the high seas, but that’s exactly what occurred in the true spirit of British grit and broadcasting legend

The towns inhabitants were shocked to see ragged crews of radio pirates and a flamboyant David 'Screaming Lord' Sutch dressed in a purple cape and top hat flaunting his way through the town

Tony was a leading light working tirelessly in the back ground from the infant days of Radio City on Shivering Sands Forts, and later Red Sands Radio he was one of the first to venture out to the Fort when a plea for essential supplies from Radio Sutch was heard at the Record Centre, 20a Oxford Street, Whitstable, later the Radio City Office

The tiny Radio Sutch had begun initially as a publicity stunt developing into Radio City, abandoned and pillaged from 1958 conditions on the Fort were poor

Audio

Tony Pine

Recorded aboard the Fort in the TX Room on Monday 27th June 1966 at 00.10

Tony with Ian West on the main 299 transmitter after the post raid test transmission concluded, the Pigion-Blackbird shore-link scheduled for 10.00am

Tony Pine seated on Harvester II (Bill Scales)

Tony Pine a good all round electrical and general engineer who also owned Pines General Stones on Island Wall, Whitstable, his shop provisioned the station

There hangs a tale; illicit broadcasts to the fort were made from a transmitter hidden in the shop, raided the GPO weren't able to locate either the transmitter or aerial which were hidden in a chimney breast

Tony’s known to have forsaken pay in favour of keeping the station on-air and was very much an integral part of the Radio City Team

Always nautical he wasn't bothered about charts, navigation, safe moorings or care of craft in his care

When the Naja was acquired for tendering Red Sands, Tony bumped her across the sand banks of the Estuary, mooring her on a pair of one ton concrete blocks in Tankerton Bay and the tributary of the Brook at Long Rock

In fierce conditions she broke away beaching at Tankerton re floated she was moored off Faversham Creek and sank due to corrosion of her engine core plug, see the Naja in Seatribe

Tony was never able to sell a single vessel they all all sank! See Offshore II and Offshore III

Later when we brought back Red Sands Radio from the Fort, Tony again threw his energy into helping erect the antenna’s and make the Tower habitable, staying involved over the eight years of the station that was to evolve into Maritime Radio (London)

I’ve known Tony since the early tempestuous days of Radio City and always appreciated his encouragement, support in what for me has been a long broadcasting career. Rest in Peace my friend

Steve Ball
Another sad loss. Tony was a good one. Loved all the forts based radio. RIP Tony. Sorry too hear Bob

David Childs
RIP Tony and thank you for your service and hard work to Free Radio

Paul Crocker
Another 60's Offshore Hero has left us Rip Tony. Paul C from 270 Land

Fiona Bambridge
My family used to sail our trimaran ( yacht) out into the estuary and I recall one occasion picking up a DJ from the forts who desperately needed to get back to shore . We sailed back to Whitstable by which time the tide was pretty much out so we moored up and then all walked ashore across the mud which in mid to late 1960s was fairly firm.the DJ was wearing white denim flared jeans and I think suffered a bit but never complained and they played our request on the Radio for us " the line broke, the monkey got soaked and we all went to heaven in a little row boat, Clap Clap , Clap your hands.." etc. A popular record back then
Was it Tony on board that day with us? I wonder
Anyway RIP Tony

Hans Knot
A sad lost now Tony has gone Bob. Last week the e mail to him bounced back and thought that it was not good with him. You're in my thoughts today. best wishes

Simon Crowther
This is sad. I used to work with Tony when I was a young man. I was hoping that if I ever made it back to Whitstable I'd be able to pop in and see him. Not going to happen now unfortunately

Sandra Lavender
RIP sir thoughts are with your family and friends at this sad times

Julia Perry
This is my father. He lived a colourful life! Thank you for all your kind words. My sister Melody and I are touched

Credits: Additional text and family archive photographs compliments of Melody and Julia