Uncle Albert, Very Poorly.

[BroadAmbition]

I would like to think that Uncle Albert too made a decision to stop fighting the inevitable and stopped fighting in the knowledge of a life well spent helping others, not wishing to be a burden on others any more.

The sadness will fade with time, he will live on in your memories of the good times, in all the stories you have posted here, and all of those not yet told. things will happen that will remind you of him - always, just remember the good times and remember him with a smile.

 

Awesome post Grendel, cracking.  If I could 'Like' it ten times I would do so.  Tim may I suggest you take comfort from Grendel's post above, they don't come much better than that

Griff

[ZimbiIV]

Sad news.

It was only a year after my fathers death that I realised, what I had learnt from him, what I did because of him and damn it how much I was like him and was happy about it.

Now your next thing is to look after yourself and realise that grumpy old rogue is really you, and you are your parents faults and rights. That they did the best for you AND pity any kids you have.

paul

[riyadhcrew]

I remember going with my father on the back of his BSA 250 to see my grandad in the nursing home. Then one Sunday - my grandad told my dad that the time had come because he couldn't fill his pipe any more and the next day he was gone.

[deebee29]

Thinking of you Tim as this New Year dawns

I can empathise with you.

We were told 6 years ago on New Years Eve that there was nothing they could do for Dad and he died on January 23rd 2011. Like Wildfuzz, my dad was my best friend. Hold onto and take strength from the happy memories. Believe me they do get you through the hard times

Take Care

[Boaters]

Sorry to hear this news ,our thoughts are with you all at this time.Diane and Roy

[LondonRascal]

I have not been on the Forum for some time - and just have found this terribly sad news. 

Although it's difficult today to see beyond the sorrow, may looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow.

 

[tjg1677]

Chin up Tim, just read this as i was away for the weekend. So sorry to hear about uncle albert, would loved have met him. From one ex killick stoker to a now departed one, i offer a salute with a wheelspanner, the highest accolade i can think of for one of our brotherhood!

Trev

[Wonderwall]

Sorry to hear your news , I haven't been reading the forum much, one can only take enough bad news in a certain time. 

Your humour and spirit has shown through this thread, a classy chap you are. Uncle A appears a character as well. I'm sure he made his mark on this world and a lot of people in it.

Stay strong .

neil

[Timbo]

Had some news that Bill is improved a little. Still slurring and wobbly on his feet, but better than he was. I've still got my fingers and toes crossed.

Undertaker has been contacted...Dad's cousin...I'm thinking discount, hoping Bill not thinking the same and a two for one...the celestial BOGOF!

Tomorrow it's chase certificates and other general paperwork before facing the flat. I was going to dispose of Uncle Albert's whisky collection but have now decided the best thing to do with it (I don't drink whisky) is to use it as the basis for Royal Tudor's bar. That way once we are back afloat if you fancy a drink with Uncle Albert there will be a large collection of 18yr old single malts to choose from...oh and some rather interesting bottles of rum!

Spent today roaming the streets of Balby tracking down and catching up with relatives...time for a kip now!

[Timbo]

Last and final update on this subject guys.

Bill is still in hospital. He's still very confused indeed, and talking with my cousin we have decided it is not a good idea to agitate him further by giving him the sad news about my Dad until Bill is very much recovered.

A service will be held for Uncle Albert on Friday 13th (that's about right for the old bugger) at 3PM at Rosehill in Doncaster. He will be coming in to The Band of the Royal Marines playing 'Sailing' and going out to The Band of the Royal Marines playing Hearts of Oak/ Life on the Ocean Waves. He will be taking with him photos of the family and of Royal Tudor and of course his sailors hat. Donations to RNLI.

Boats were always a part of the life of Uncle Albert, Gordon to his family. His first job from school was a keelman. The 'boy' sitting to starboard is my Dad at fifteen.

My maternal great grandfather was the lock keeper and lived in the cottage at the center of the picture. Uncle Albert became the 'boy' on the humber keel Comrade, but as soon as he was able he joined the Royal Navy. Fred Schofield the master of the Comrade dropped him on hull docks.

This must be 1962 as Uncle Albert, right, is now joined in the RN by his brother Bill. They served together on HMS Wotton the first brothers to serve on the same ship together in the RN since WW2. Dad was Chief Stoker, Bill was Chief Gunner. Oh and the 'battle axe' is my Great Grandmother.

Dad did 18 years in the RN as a marine engineer. 8th Destroyer Fleet Far East Station ending up on nuclear submarines up Iain's neck of the woods. He met my Mum again, they had been childhood friends, while she was on holiday in Lowestoft with her fiance. Uncle Albert was coming out of the ladies loo when he bumped into her an apologised 'sorry I've been stationed in Scotland I thought it said laddies'. Good line! They were married in 1964...after Dad did a stint 'guarding' Mum. Mum worked for the 'ministry'. As what we don't know as Mum's files are stilled sealed. But once they were married Mum resigned and followed him out to Singapore...where I turned up to spoil the fun!

 When he retired he worked at International Harvesters in Doncaster, still diesel engines. With redundancy from IH he got a job as a 'house parent' in a children's home in Goole. He attended Hull University and qualified as a social worker specialising in the elderly.

As a member of the British Legion he became a caseworker using his professional knowledge to help ex service men get the help they needed following their military career. I've found file after file of notes and letters he wrote on behalf of various service men and their families while sorting out his flat.

In the last few years Dad was never happier than when on the Broads on board Royal Tudor with my daughter Holly, the beagles and me. Failing that I would read bits of the forum out to him and pop videos and photos of the Broads up onto his huge TV screen so he could see them. His last wishes to be back on RT and that's what we will do.

Sleep well Dad. What the hell are we going to do without you? xx

 

[BroadAmbition]

Great write up / photo's of Dad, much respect to Dad for a full and varied life with many achievements and much to be proud of.     Well done and respect to you for putting that together and sharing it with us.

You will do just fine without him, it's because of him you have done as well as you have and will continue to do so

Griff

[addicted]

Thanks Tim what a great read that was, very poignant and I loved the photos. It says so much good about your dad that you are going to miss him so much. I've no doubt you made it plain during his lifetime how much you loved him and that's probably all he needed to know to shuffle off his mortal coil a contented man

 

Carole

[LondonRascal]

Tim, thank you for sharing these stories and photos of someone who was not just a loved father, but a man who truly helped others and was a real gentleman. 

Through your posts on this Forum, despite never meeting ‘Uncle Albert, it felt like we all had and much merriment was had reading the escapades on Royal Tudor along with the Beagles you shared. 

I can imagine that you have a great void now but I can also see through all the help you gave to him while also dealing with your own things how strong you are and that strength will see you through this period and it is also thanks to your father you are the man you are today – so you see, in many a way he lives on through you in and of course forever will in your memories.

[BrundallNavy]

I hope it all goes well today and you are not hampered by the weather.

Mine and Hele's thoughts are with you.

 

Doug.

[grendel]

As long as Tim does not see the fire exit sign in the crematorium, and get a fit of the giggles like I did at one relatives funeral.

[addicted]

The last funeral we attended was in an area unfamiliar to us and we were looking for signs pointing the way.

The one on the corner of the road where the crematorium was situated helpfully pointed the way to " crematorium and recycling centre!" The Local Authority's version of life after death?

Hope a ll goes well today Tim

 

Carole

[Polly]

Be thinking of you Tim.

[MauriceMynah]

Next time I'm in the vicinity of our 'local crem' I'll take a photograph of the road signage, but in short it shows a sign to the crem and underneath one that says "One Way"

[loribear]

On 10/01/2017 at 0:14 AM, Timbo said:

Last and final update on this subject guys.

Bill is still in hospital. He's still very confused indeed, and talking with my cousin we have decided it is not a good idea to agitate him further by giving him the sad news about my Dad until Bill is very much recovered.

A service will be held for Uncle Albert on Friday 13th (that's about right for the old bugger) at 3PM at Rosehill in Doncaster. He will be coming in to The Band of the Royal Marines playing 'Sailing' and going out to The Band of the Royal Marines playing Hearts of Oak/ Life on the Ocean Waves. He will be taking with him photos of the family and of Royal Tudor and of course his sailors hat. Donations to RNLI.

Boats were always a part of the life of Uncle Albert, Gordon to his family. His first job from school was a keelman. The 'boy' sitting to starboard is my Dad at fifteen.

My maternal great grandfather was the lock keeper and lived in the cottage at the center of the picture. Uncle Albert became the 'boy' on the humber keel Comrade, but as soon as he was able he joined the Royal Navy. Fred Schofield the master of the Comrade dropped him on hull docks.

This must be 1962 as Uncle Albert, right, is now joined in the RN by his brother Bill. They served together on HMS Wotton the first brothers to serve on the same ship together in the RN since WW2. Dad was Chief Stoker, Bill was Chief Gunner. Oh and the 'battle axe' is my Great Grandmother.

Dad did 18 years in the RN as a marine engineer. 8th Destroyer Fleet Far East Station ending up on nuclear submarines up Iain's neck of the woods. He met my Mum again, they had been childhood friends, while she was on holiday in Lowestoft with her fiance. Uncle Albert was coming out of the ladies loo when he bumped into her an apologised 'sorry I've been stationed in Scotland I thought it said laddies'. Good line! They were married in 1964...after Dad did a stint 'guarding' Mum. Mum worked for the 'ministry'. As what we don't know as Mum's files are stilled sealed. But once they were married Mum resigned and followed him out to Singapore...where I turned up to spoil the fun!

 When he retired he worked at International Harvesters in Doncaster, still diesel engines. With redundancy from IH he got a job as a 'house parent' in a children's home in Goole. He attended Hull University and qualified as a social worker specialising in the elderly.

As a member of the British Legion he became a caseworker using his professional knowledge to help ex service men get the help they needed following their military career. I've found file after file of notes and letters he wrote on behalf of various service men and their families while sorting out his flat.

In the last few years Dad was never happier than when on the Broads on board Royal Tudor with my daughter Holly, the beagles and me. Failing that I would read bits of the forum out to him and pop videos and photos of the Broads up onto his huge TV screen so he could see them. His last wishes to be back on RT and that's what we will do.

Sleep well Dad. What the hell are we going to do without you? xx

 

hi tim thanks for sharing your story, i know it must have been hard for you to write, & we will all miss the funny stories you used to write about you & your dad, may he rest in peace, & i'm sure he'll always be looking down on you . xxx

[Timbo]

Thank you everyone for your support and kind words. Everything went off yesterday without a hitch. At first we thought there was only going to be Holly, Ellie and I attending but quite quickly family I had not seen for years started popping up. The Scout Troop Dad was Group Scout Leader of for eighteen years sent two uniformed leaders to attend. The British Legion sent three members and a poppy wreath to salute him into the chapel. Surrounded by his family and comrades the service was all about Dad, very personal and let's say...warts an' all... accurate enough so his family could recognise Dad and chuckle at the antics of his youth and the stubborn, cantankerous, cheeky old bugger he became. We sent him off with pride and raised around £15 for the RNLI and around £80 at last count and donations still coming in for the Hemsby Lifeboat. FInally we said our goodbyes and in true Uncle Albert fashion we repaired to the Mount Pleasant Hotel where I opened a tab behind the bar.

I've since been contacted today by Dad's Scout Troop who wish to put up a memorial to both my Mum and Dad for their service to the troop, I've suggested just a photograph and I will donate for new equipment in Dad's name or something of the sort.

Never fear, Uncle Albert will not be too far away and I hope when Royal Tudor is launched this year if you see us out and about you will pop in for a chat, or a tot or two, or just a cup of tea. The kettle is never off the boil!