We (Lionel Kaye and myself, we are cousins) often spoke about Tom over the years, and despite the years, working together with Tom is as clear as yesterday for me. My parents were very good, loving and supportive to me, and in fact were responsible for pointing me in the direction of the computer business. My mother had a small shop on the Kennington Road and my father was a clothing machiner in a factory, just to give you the background. Once I entered "the world of the office" they could not offer me the support that they would have wanted to, and often a work environment is not over friendly. What Tom did, and not just for me, was to bridge that gap and in a way act as a parent in the work place by encouraging us in the right way and never getting angry despite the fact that we were a bunch of 19 year olds typically, who did sometimes cross the line (there was a pub just 50 yards from the office!). Tom had his own excellent methods of teaching us and handling situations that went wrong from time to time in a positive way, where we were never made to feel bad about ourselves. The results were great for the company and great for us as individuals who constantly learnt from him ion matters of work and also of principles of life too. There was only good intentions from Tom and they benefited all.  There is even a song that came out in the late 60's that we always joked was Tom's song which was the Dave Bowie classic  "ground control to major Tom", and I always think of him when it occasionally comes on the radio.

When we knew a tribute would need to be written for my Dad, both Julie and I wanted to talk about Dads childhood - though we had his wonderful account of Y Service and the war, neither of us had specific details to draw on other than things dad had told us about his very early years.  However, I was so sure that I had seen an account that dad had typed - but once every old envelope had been opened and every drawer investigated - there was nothing - I must have imagined it.  Yesterday, I was sorting out my own cupboard, old bills, magazines and stuff to chuck out.  I came across a big envelope and inside was the typed account I had remembered.  In fact it was a long letter written to our cousin Yvonne, our uncle Alec's daughter.  I am so so happy to have found it and can't wait to show Julie.  In it my Dad talks of his brothers and sisters, and of course his own Mum and Dad.  It was nice to read and sad to read all at the same time.  The passage when he speaks of his losing his own Dad, our grandad, was so touching and it showed me that he was feeling just like I am now - "I remember giving my Mum half-a-crown, which was all the money I had, towards the fare to go up North to help her come to terms with Dad's death.  As time passed, I missed my Dad more and more and I often wish, even now, that I could just talk to him" I wish that every day Dad, I love you.

Some years ago dad had a mild stroke.  One side effect being a rather weak leg that slowed him down a bit. I went with him so see a consultant for a review of the stroke at St Georges and we spent most of the day there.  The consultant asked Dad to go along for a blood test in Laneborough wing, then for an X Ray in St james wing, somewhere else for another test of sorts and then to also go to the cardiac dept for an ECG.  He stressed that the ECg Dept closed at 5pm.  So off we went, got everything done and finally just had the ECG to get done - it was 4.55pm. Why I didn't think to find a wheelchair I will never know - but I raced along the corridors looking for the department with Dad trying desperately to keep close to me heels - a little in vain.  As he limped along behind I kept saying "Come on dad hurry up or we're not going to make it" so he did his best to speed up.  As he trotted along he simply burst out laughing as did I - it was just such a comical scene.  Poor old Dad trying to keep up with his determined daughter.  We made it on time! And couldn't stop laughing.  Me and dad have gone to the hospital together so many times, many for dads appointments and sometimes dad coming on mine to keep me company.  In every waiting room we've laughed about that day or just laughed about something thats tickled us that moment. Dad would always say that we'd get kicked out for appearing too well, people must be thinking "there's nothing wrong with them" - The last time I saw dad he brought up the memory of that dash around St Georges saying it always brings a smile to his face.  It does for me to.