Tim;s eulogy to Dad
To try and sum up a life in words is a difficult task so I will concentrate on the
memories that come to the fore of my mind and attempt to put them in some
resemblance of order. I recall being read the tale of Danny Champion of the world as a boy and thinking to myself I would like that sort of close relationship with my father and I am happy to think in a way I did, but maybe without the pheasant poaching, but thinking about it now with Dads penchant for "Road Kill" game arriving in his garage and a Dab hand with a shotgun clay now I am not so sure.
Dads Garage was always filled with the other love his life "Misses Frequently his one of a kind Austin Seven Arrow. Due to its open top, low seating and
the Pressure Fead Speedy Engine" it always felt special and although the top speed and acceleration were positively sedately in modern terms, the sound of the engine vibrating by your feet gently toasting your legs and the smell of petrol often put a smile on his face and therefore mine as well. Not much chance to converse but we did not need to. My Dads Petrol head loves also transposed to two wheels, as passion I
also now share thanks to him and sound of the BMW Boxer engine towards the end of afternoon always meant he was back.
For most of his life Dad was a navigator (In more than just the literal rank sense of the word) in the RAF and therefore would often leave the house in Uniform (Another thing both my Brother and I have followed) sometimes for weeks on end, but when he would return it meant Threats like “Rose Flavoured Turkish Delight" (I think they saw him coming ) or Honeydew Melons.
Dad was always my go to man when it came mechanical repairs and I know I alone kept him busy fixing bikes, buckled wheels over the years and probably partially responsible for his gadget man collection of tools. Dad always supported me in my hair brain ideas from Knapping flints in the garden or making my own interventions.
Dad enjoyed engineering in many forms and working with his hands. I think this may have come from his Dad Charlie who enjoyed carpentry and Charlie's Brother "Uncle Henry" who had Willy Wonka style shed at the bottom of his garden full of electrical contraptions. I think my Dad enjoyed his family and shared Henry's sense of humour.
Homebrew and rock cakes in equal measure. Dad also spoke fondly of his Brother Nigel and enjoyed the company and that of the Bristol Deanies and I know he was genuinely touched by the family reunion in Swaffham in May 2016. Dad had a gentle sort of wisdom and did not, probably of his vast experience and achievements, was wise enough to allow others to try and sometimes fail but would not be the "I told you so". I can recall a skiing holiday in Bavaria as an adult when I got a little over confident and face planted myself into the snow almost immediately having got off the ski lift, Dad came a long, helped me up brushed of the snow and then set off leading by example making me recall the benefit of the snow plough (I sure he had waited a long time for that)
That reminds me of when we were in Bavaria when Dad helped to run the RAF Winter Survival and Ski school and we lived in the local village "Bad Kholgrub" Actually the food was quite agreeable) and Dad playing records and whilst his record collection was somewhat limited and doubtful from Bobby Bear to ABBA I think his music choices reflects that he would not limit himself to a particular genre and knew what he liked. Equally I think Dad liked living off base and I think given his regimented military life it was important for him to look to live beyond the base mentality and freedoms it gave him and his family. Dad was never a great sports fan but used to avidly follow Formula 1 eagerly
watching the qualification stages and races alike, but I think he probably enjoyed the earlier era's of the sport where the results were not a forgone conclusion and there was an element of chance and determination and skill stood out more. He also enjoyed Clay Pigeon and pursued this whilst he lived in Germany and made friends with local shooting enthusiasts and I think he cherished the friendships he made more than the organisational slog and responsibility he took to make it function. I know here in Norfolk upon his second retirement this time from the civil service he enjoyed being a member of the Necton Bowls Club and the camaraderie it gave him. I know Dad also gave time to serve of the local Parish council.

The other passions he had was horology and Navigational gadgets from watches to compasses which is were I think I will end this for me to say goodbye and know you were loved, Thanks Dad for being the guidance for me and whilst the hands of your watch
may have finally comes to rest for you, you will be with me for time immemorial.