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The departed

If it means anything I'm pretty sure the old bugger was pretty glad he had you for a son-in-law, Paul
Thanks Avvy. I hope so

.
I loved his story and I think this is a terrific project.
That is only part of it Doc. There are lots of stories of his time in captivity as well including one where he went AWOL from a German army hospital with some German soldiers who were also patients to get some beers in while wearing a German uniform overcoat.
 
Like many on here I wish to add my condolences Paul. Seems like the old fella had a good innings - What an interesting life he lead. Also I knew of 'A bridge too far' battle. That was part of 'Operation Market Garden' And Arnhem where that particular battle took place must have been fucking terrifying! A brave guy.
 
I didn't know whether to start a new thread for whats really just a little eulogy thing so imma bump this

My sister's fiancee died today. Diabetes is a bitch

he took me to my first Liverpool game when I was like 10 or 11. I remember we beat Bolton on boxing day. He was a West ham fan as well

He's dealt with horrible treatments over the years. Pretty much constant dialysis, a kidney transplant waiting list for like 10 years cos it was so hard to find a match and through all this since i've known him he always had a proper smile on his face. Proper inspiration

YNWA Paul
 
My father in law, born and bred in Oxford, was a mere nineteen years old when, as a sergeant in the British Army Air Corps, Glider Pilot Regiment, he flew a Horsa glider with it's cargo of heavy guns and munitions in to Arnhem, Holland. This battle is frequently referred to as "A Bridge Too Far". After successfully unloading his cargo he joined the fighting, but after four days he sustained a serious bullet injury to the face, subsequently resulting in him losing his right eye, was over run by German forces and taken prisoner. After seven months and many tall tales as a POW he made his escape. The escape itself is a huge tale to tell and amazingly he managed to traverse war torn Europe from his point of escape in Germany to his home in Oxford in almost exactly seven days, in itself quite the feat.

Because of the loss of his eye and other injuries sustained in the war he was discharged from the army soon after V.E. day , and he went to work in Morris Motors, Oxford, training and qualifying as a mechanical engineer. He was offered and accepted a two year secondment to Dublin where he was to help in the setting up of a Morris Minor assembly plant. His stay in Dublin became a permanent one when he met and married my mother in law. He eventually left Morris Motors to set up his own business as an insurance assessor and became one of the most respected figures in the industry.
Retirement didn't mean that he slowed down at all and he gave a lot of his time to the British Legion in Dublin, representing his fellow army veterans. He also became an accomplished wood turner and one of my most treasured possessions is a large wooden salad bowl turned by his gifted hands. Despite being so busy he never lost sight of his main priority in life which was his family. He was a loving, generous and interested Granddad right up to his passing.

Despite being held in such high esteem in so many quarters he was still extremely humble, enjoying all variety of company and conversation. His great sense of humour was often wicked but never malicious. He was always good company and I have many things to be grateful to him for, most important of all his younger daughter.

We had a great chat just a few days before he died and he said that for a father in law and a son in law we had got on all right.
We got on a lot, lot more than all right. I am really going to miss the old bugger.
RIP Johnny.


If memory serves me right a few posters expressed interest in the Father in law's story.
His grandson has written a book on his war exploits which should be on sale on amazon shortly.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Arnhem-Horizon-Glider-Johnny-Wetherall/
 
My wonderful Grandad passed away today. He was a red and between him and my uncle were solely responsible for a southern OOT like me to be a fan. He was also chief fire officer for the wirral in the 70s and 80's so probably saved lots of lives himself as well as serving with merit in Africa during WW2. I'm gutted but knowing our LFC kindred spirit - Here is the right place to post such thoughts... :(
 
Thanks fella. I'm in bits to be honest. He had a good innings though and lived a great life.
 
Seconded, but can I just add that I firmly believe there's no such thing as goodbye to those we love. We're who we are partly because of them, and we carry them in our hearts wherever we go.

RIP Granddad Astaire.
 
Thank you. He really was a special guy. A proper innings though and a peaceful end. Thanks again.
 
Seconded, but can I just add that I firmly believe there's no such thing as goodbye to those we love. We're who we are partly because of them, and we carry them in our hearts wherever we go.

RIP Granddad Astaire.
A lovely reply and I firmly believe in your thoughts. Thank you JJ. I'm a spirtitual soul so I know I'll see him again at some point in the cosmos.
 
I am very sorry for your loss L
Fire fighters trend to be colourful characters and no doubt he will have enriched your life as much as he has given you happy memories.
And a love of Liverpool which brings us all together.
May he rest in peace and may you find comfort in your memories.
 
My wonderful Grandad passed away today. He was a red and between him and my uncle were solely responsible for a southern OOT like me to be a fan. He was also chief fire officer for the wirral in the 70s and 80's so probably saved lots of lives himself as well as serving with merit in Africa during WW2. I'm gutted but knowing our LFC kindred spirit - Here is the right place to post such thoughts... :(

Sorry for your loss RA.
 
My mum passed away this week. She was diagnosed with cancer a couple of years ago, but still had a decent quality of life up to the last 3 months.

The last few weeks were brutal. You hear about how bad it gets towards the end, but nothing prepares you for seeing someone you love go through that. It’s just a horrible cunt of disease. At the end it was just a massive relief that her suffering was over.

She raised us on her own after her and my dad divorced when I was about 5. She had no financial help from my dad or the state, taking on many part time jobs to make ends meet. As a family we were poorer than almost anyone else I knew, but it didn’t really feel that way, because she always made sure we were provided for and loved.

Although I didn’t have much awareness at the time, she had it pretty tough when I was a kid. In later life she found happiness when she remarried and they remained devoted to each other for nearly 30 years.

My step-father is a bit lost without her now. I live a distance away, but I’ll make an extra effort to visit regularly. We mostly talk about football (he’s a Swansea fan) and has some great stories (his brother is a very well-known professional player from 60’s/70’s).

It was surreal being at the funeral home yesterday. One minute discussing what we would do with her ashes and the next being told the cost per letter of a ‘MUM’ bouquet of flowers. I think the funeral director was bit shocked when I joked that I’d buy the ‘U’ and my two sisters could buy an ‘M’ each (my mum would have laughed).

She was the person I most looked up to. Any good qualities I might have are a result of her influence. I’m obviously biased, but I can’t think of another person with more decency, tolerance and kindness. Even though I grew up and left home nearly 30 years ago, I’m still going to miss her massively.
 
My condolences, Jon. I lost my mum two and a half years ago after her (three-year) long and painful illness, so I know how it feels.

You won't stop missing her (not that you'd want to get that hardened to it anyway) but as time goes on the good memories will increasingly crowd the rest out. The best way of honouring those who go before us is to live well, as they would want and, in the case of mums, as they brought us up to do.

YNWA.
 
Condolences to you and your family Jon.

I lost my gran to cancer 25 years ago, horrible disease.

YNWA
 
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