I Love This Picture - October Origins

Born in 1938, here is my Dad with Twins Joanne and Lincoln and the signal red Ford Escort PWC 660M costing £660 new. The location was nowhere in particular, just a nice spot for a brew up on the way to Preesall in Lancashire to visit relatives.

It all could have been so different. I could be Austrailan were it not for the fact that his father was in the Navy when the rest of his family emigrated. So Grandad Jack (what else was a sailor to be known as) returned to England. Dad's early years were dominated by the war. He was young, but nonetheless has recalled tales of doodlebugs, spitfires and the front door being blown off it's hinges whilst sheltering in the cupboard under the stairs.

His adult life began in the Army, first training and then a period in Nicosia, Cyprus under national conscription. His civilian working life started with the Royal Mail, passing his driving test in a week. It was mostly uneventful, but he was on one occasion waiting for a train to arrive that never seemed to come. It turned out to have been the Great Train Robbers train!!

Soon after, he moved into furniture making and in the mid-sixties married Mum. They decided a new life in Essex would give them the future they were looking for and in the late sixties moved into a new house on the Leftley's estate at 19 Cavendish Drive. The house was bought after having secured a job paying a mighty £16 per week.

In 1971, The twins were born and that was the beginning of many happy years with him. He worked a full time job and on top of that, worked evenings and some weekends with his own company to earn extra cash. When made redundant in the 80s, he worked in Egypt for a time before reinvigorating his company on a full-time basis for a number of years. By now the twins had left home, so he decided to cease trading, go full circle and rejoin the Royal Mail until he retired.

He was the most practical man I know, majoring in plumbing and woodworking, a great ideas man, never happier than when making or dreaming up the next solution to a problem.

As a family man he particularly enjoyed the company of his kids, both when young, supporting us in all sorts of ways as well as dropping in for a coffee more recently. He started as a helper in the scouts, leading to a district commissioner. He organised and carried out all sorts of repairs and renovations on our houses plus those of friends and acquaintances.

He had the worlds worst and best sense of humour and his most favourite jokes wouldn't be stashed away for long before putting in a repeat appearance.

Around 3 years ago his health began to fail. After a trialling time for both he and Mum, he now rests in a nursing home, gradually fading away.

I'd give anything to hear those tired jokes one more time, but they will remain just happy memories. That's why I love this picture.