My Grandad Alan Michael Faulkner was born on the 14th August 1944.  He was one of five boys.....Cyril Patrick being the eldest, George Antony came next, then Sylvester, then Alan (My Grandad)  and then Bernard.  His Dad was called Sebastian Faulkner and his mom was called Gladys Eve Edwards before marrying Sebastian.

From what my grandad shared with me, his childhood was one of many ups and downs, filled with profound sadness aswell as unimaginable Joy. One thing for sure was that he came from a family filled with love.

My Grandad adored his mom and would do anything to love and protect her. Even more so as he sadly lost his dad, when he was only a small child. His dad Sebastian was a hard working family man, a lorry driver.  He lost his life in an almost unbelievable tragic accident whilst at work in London. A sheet of metal came off a vehicle in front and sadly went through Sebastian's windowscreen. Thankfully at that time my grandad was probably a little too young to understand the ins and outs of such a tragedy. Within a couple of years more tradgedy struck as Alans younger brother Bernard was kicked by an horse at 18 months old and sadly did not survive.  

Despite this amount of tradgedy in his early years, my grandad grew into a strong, loyal young man. He and his brothers were loveable rogues and were part of the teddy boy culture of the 1940's, 50's. They each had a twinkle in their eye, especially my grandad and I have always put that down to his Irish roots. His Nan and Grandad on his dads side were from County Donegal in Ireland. Whenever I hear the song Irish eyes, It always makes me think of my grandad.