Greetings and Kiora to you all from New Zealand..
It is a privilege and with sadness that I share with you memories from my dear brother’s childhood.
I am sorry I am unable to be with you at this sad time but I will be spending the time reflecting on the many happy memories of our early years.
Tony was born on March 11th 1941 in Fareham in an air raid shelter as Portsmouth was being bombed that night. My grandparents had great difficulty in finding a doctor willing to come out on such a night. When Tony was born the doctor asked my father if he ever been to Africa as he had just delivered an elephant ?. Tony weighed 13 Pounds, poor mum.
Within 3 weeks of his birth Dad was sent overseas. He was in the R.A.F.. He was on the last boat to leave Singapore before the Japanese took it over. He did not return home till mid 1944. Tony had been very spoiled by his maternal grandparents so did not take kindly to this strange man who had now moved into the house.
I was born July 1945 and Tony peered into the bedroom window just as the doctor was smacking me to start me breathing. He was very upset but Mum later explained to him why that had happened.
We grew up in post war Britain and everything was rationed on coupons so sweets and clothes were very limited.
By the time I was 5 and Tony was 9 we as moved into a bigger house with a large garden and orchard. We kept rabbits and chickens and had a white bull terrier called Bunty. I am sure Tony has told Clare all about her and Clare has carried on the tradition.
Tony was sent to a private school called Mile End House. It was in Portsmouth immediately opposite the house Charles Dickens was born and lived in.
Tony always had an interest in aircraft and on leaving school served his apprenticeship with DeHavillad Aircraft Co where he trained as a fitter/turner rising to a very senior level.
During those years we spent many happy holidays in Marazion Cornwall and often visited Auntie Phil and Uncle Bert near Christchurch. They lived in a 16th century thatched cottage. Here Tony would fly a kite on the hill behind the cottage. At night they would light the Tilley lamp and Tony and I would read from their huge Bible. Tony was their favourite and he often spent holidays with them as they had no children.
I confess I was a horrid younger sister and my friend and I would spy on Tony when he was courting. how mean was that ?
He would give me 3 pence to clean his shoes when he was going out I tried to increase it to six pence, but no luck.
Tony was a good and kind brother and very protective towards me. I always had a great respect and admiration for him, especially when he kept custody of Andrew when his first marriage broke up.
We were very happy when he met Beryl and she was so kind to Andrew and a good friend to me.
Their marriage was very happy and when Clare and Stephen were born the family was complete. Tony was so proud of his family.
Tony and Beryl came to New Zealand three times, the first time with Clare and Steven Their last visit was in 2011. We had taken them south to Queenstown when the devastating earthquake struck Christchurch. Before we left Christchurch Beryl had gone to our local doctor to be treated for an infected foot. On our return we learnt that the doctor had been killed when the building he had a surgery in collapsed.
When we were down south Beryl and I Paid for a glider flight for Tony’s 70th birthday. Tony had taken glider lessons and had flown solo when he worked at DeHavilland. He thoroughly enjoyed the experience again 50 years later.
Yes Tony there some good and bad times but the good outweigh the bad, so goodbye my only dear brother. I thank you for making my childhood happy and fun.
You are gone but never forgotten. May you rest in peace now your struggle to breathe is over.

With much love

Val