My Grandad was a gentle and kind man. He was born in Chatham, in Kent, and then moved to Northampton when he met my Nan and they married. They raised 3 boys and 2 girls, and lost one little boy at 9 months. He was very hard working, and had a gift for carpentry, which my Dad inherited. I remember being told that one Christmas when money was short and they couldn't buy any toys, he took up the wooden door step, and carved an engine, and a horse and cart for his sons. During the first world war he served with the cavalry, and also in the trenches. His suffered badly with his legs after the war, and was often in pain,I remember seeing him rubbing his legs, but he never complained. I remember him risking his life to save men when the factory where he worked was on fire. He was a lovely man. He and my Nan were devoted to each other, and spent their last years in a farmhouse in the country where they were so happy. When my Nan died, he grieved for her so hard, and just wanted to be with her. I remember him sitting there looking so bewildered and saying her name to himself. He died only 10 days after her. I remember him with affection and love. He was a big man with a big heart.
My Grandad was a gentle and kind man. He was born in Chatham, in Kent, and then moved to Northampton when he met my Nan and they married. They raised 3 boys and 2 girls, and lost one little boy at 9 months. He was very hard working, and had a gift for carpentry, which my Dad inherited. I remember being told that one Christmas when money was short and they couldn't buy any toys, he took up the wooden door step, and carved an engine, and a horse and cart for his sons. During the first world war he served with the cavalry, and also in the trenches. His suffered badly with his legs after the war, and was often in pain,I remember seeing him rubbing his legs, but he never complained. I remember him risking his life to save men when the factory where he worked was on fire. He was a lovely man. He and my Nan were devoted to each other, and spent their last years in a farmhouse in the country where they were so happy. When my Nan died, he grieved for her so hard, and just wanted to be with her. I remember him sitting there looking so bewildered and saying her name to himself. He died only 10 days after her. I remember him with affection and love. He was a big man with a big heart.
