Memories of Dad
As Shakespeare wrote in ‘As You Like It’
. . . one man in his time has many parts. His acts being 7 ages. Here are the 7 ages of Dad!

First) Dad the Sentimentalist
Sentimentality regularly got the better of him, like swapping a nice big car for his Dad’s small Austin 1100 when his dad passed away. This 1100, not much bigger than a 1960’s mini, was not ideal for growing kids! GET OFF! Sentimentality runs in the family, like keeping the number plate of the 1100 and with stories of this car, like the exhaust pipe falling off down a Yorkshire hill or the road flashing past Gillian’s feet when she spotted a hole in the floor.

Second) Dad the Gardener
We had a regular supply of fresh fruit and veg from Dad’s garden. He loved gardening, and the gardens he created. His gardening skills have been passed on (to Gill and Age at least) and it was very poignant that snowdrops from his garden (in our gardens) were opening at the time of his passing. We as a family certainly benefitted from his gardening expertise, although not from his bark when a football strayed onto his beloved beetroot!

Third) Dad the Perfectionist
Dad was a perfectionist, probably why he was such a good engineer! We particularly remember his carefully drawn plans that preceded 20 years of building works in our family home, where a back extension included a full brick garage (carefully built around the old existing wooded garage) and a beautiful arch joining this garage to a back extension all with perfectly pointed brickwork. Brick by brick, brick by brick, brick by . . . You get the idea! His perfectionism and sentimentality were reflected in his diaries, written in very neat but tiny hand writing. These diaries informed his memoirs, which, like his engineering and building, were carefully crafted. Jenni is doing a brilliant job trying to tease out the best of his recollections of being a War Child in Pewsey, Wiltshire. Thanks Jenni. 

Fourth) Dad the Wiltshire Lad
Dad was devoted to his parents, his sister and his dog Bob when he lived in Pewsey. The local community couldn’t miss Dad when he used his famously loud whistle to call Bob from over the fields miles away when he was at home or returning from school. He also contributed to the Pewsey community through his milk round and farming duties. A claim to fame was delivering milk to David Niven, a famous film star of the time.

Fifth) Dad the Navy Man
Talking about film stars, there is a classic picture of Dad emerging from the sea in true Daniel Craig fashion. This picture was taken while he was in the RoyalNavy, a hugely important part of his life and one that continued after he left through his work on the latest Royal Navy equipment. This is why we were allowed to cover his coffin with the Royal Navy Ensign. His work as an electrical engineer on ships set him up for life and he loved travelling the world.

Sixth) Dad the Traveller
Dad loved to travel. This is probably why he was attracted by the bright lights of the USA later on on his life. We remember his trips to Singapore and Australia when we were kids, causing no end of trouble while he was gone, especially when the toilet broke!

Seventh) Dad the Gentleman
Wherever he goes Dad has been talked about as a gentlemen. Even though he was diagnosed with cancer nearly 30 years ago and this has been at Stage 4 for nearly a decade he continued to fight and put on a brave face. He was known as a true English Gentleman in his nursing home, always with a smile for his carers. We don’t think he realised how much he was valued both here and in the US. We would like to include a special mention for Gordon who was always a positive and loving support for Dad while he was in the US, despite Dad fighting the world and his cancer towards the end of his stay. Thank you Gordon.

To us he was Dad. We are delighted that he returned to the UK, allowing him to spend time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren on his 90th
Birthday.