always rembererd John x

Dad loved hearing stories about the kids. In particular the one when, in a rush to get 5 kids into the car to get jodie to her running club, we called in to Asda to pick up some bits while we waited. Only to realise that erin, age 7, was wearing my knee high 6 inch heeled boots with her school uniform! I can almost feel the heat in my cheeks now as I did at the onslaught of disgusted looks from fellow shoppers back then!! Lol 

He said "only Erin!"!  Strutting her stuff in hee hiles.

I will never forget any moments of our lives together but some, in particular stand out. He had a very dry sense of humour which our family shared. He would do silly things to make us laugh as kids and we always tried to get him back.  As a fitness enthusiast, my dad would go up and do his 'sits' as he called them.  I recall watching him on many an occasion doing his 1000 sit ups and push ups and It was during one of these moments I hatched a plan for revenge!


He was almost half way through his exercises in his bedroom while I crept up the stairs and positioned myself for a pounce. I knew he would be livid but he would appreciate my stealth. Just as he was lying back down during a sit up, I burst through the door and made to jump on his stomach but instead ensuring my feet landed at either side of his stomach while screaming like a zulu! I was prepared for the explosion of a drill sergeant, but instead got the most raucous laughter as he shook his head and repeated "you stupid girl".  We fell about laughing and I knew I had got him.  Later that night if we caught each others eye we would again start to giggle as we shared the memory of my attack.  That closeness remained throughout all the years and we often talked of similar occasions and other stealth attacks.   


As a soldier that rose through the ranks and became an Officer,  he was known  for being firm but fair but he was very loving father who embraced his children and his Grandchildren.  We had some time to say goodbye and express how much we loved my Dad due to the 21 month battle with cancer which eventually took him away from us, but It's never enough.


So this is for us to share our memories, even silly ones, of a great man, a wonderful husband and a fantastic Dad and super Grandad.


We love you, we miss you, we will never forget you
xxxxxxxxxxxxx