E. Dies - An Old Soldier Marches On

Eric R: 1917-2005, RIP (19.10.2005).
Yesterday morning we heard that E. (Eric R.) had died, in hospital aged 88. We had only seen him the previous Saturday - very weak, seriously declining. He could not talk properly, and was too weak to write a birthday card for Tom (who is sadly in jail, awaiting sentencing next weak - on his 30th birthday). I don't know whether to give this card to Tom now. Eric was a wonderful old man, with many memories - he was 88 years old, and outlived his wife, Pat (real name: Alice) by 14 years. She died in 1991, aged 81. Eric was living out his last years quietly in sheltered housing.

Eric had quite a life. In World War II he was in Bomb Disposal, part of the British Army - this meant that he dismantled live bombs dropped here by the Nazis, some of which went off and killed his mates. I've seen his old wartime army photos, showing their camaraderie. I don't know yet if he had any medals, but he certainly deserved them. His eyesight was always affected after that: he could not watch TV, because of the flickering - he only listened to the radio (news, current affairs and football), and read his daily paper (The Daily Mirror). All that part of the family lived through some of the worst of the 'Blitz' in South East London.

He married Pat, his wife, and already D's Mother, - after the war - both of them were on their second marriage. This was a happy, well-matched affair - much better than Pat's marriage to D's father Peter (aka Dick!), which was disastrous. Pat was nervous and flighty, and Eric was the rock she depended on. They used to enjoy an annual holiday in the West Country of the UK - usually Devon, by the sea. They lived modestly in a rented flat - than in their last years in sheltered housing. She died first - she was ill, and went into an old people's home, being frail and quite senile at the end. Eric never lost his faculties - he was always sharp and bright, until his last week or two in hospital. That was how we knew that he would die, sooner than we had expected.

In their later years they liked to go on railway outings up to London or to the South Coast (usually Eastbourne). They met some Americans who helped in a vegan cafe in London - they kept in touch with this couple - so "hi" to Tony and Cindy... sorry to say, Eric in the UK has now died. He often mentioned you to us. He and Pat took up a vegetarian diet, and he later became a vegan, but near the end of his life he was much too thin, and had back problems - maybe as he was not getting enough fats, calcium, etc. Eric, on a train trip to the south coast, once met the retired, former UK Labour Government Chancellor of the Exchequer, Denis Healey, in his carriage (from the late 1970s) - they struck up a conversation. Eric had always been a Labour man. In some ways they had much in common - Healey had been in the army in World War II, where he became a radical leftist at the time (mellowing later). Eric after the War became a parks gardener - a gentler occupation.

One other reminiscence. Every year, recently, an old Parks gardening mate of his sent him a comic birthday card - it had a voice box which spoke impressions of famous showbiz types or actors when you opened the card. One year it was Sir Michael Caine: "Not a lot of people know that it's your birthday..." - another time "Old - You're not old...!" (Norman Wisdom), and again - "What a plonker ... lovely jubbly!" (David Jason from 'Only Fools and Horses' on TV). Then there was a naughty Christmas one from the glamour model Jordan - "You naughty boy - I'll come over and make your bells ring." Playing them again after Eric died, that made us laugh. he used to get them out and show them to use whenever we went over there. Tom enjoyed them.

Eric and Pat never had more children - my husband, D. was the stepson of Eric - and Pat's only son. They both adored our own children - and E. never knew Tom was now in prison or what he was convicted of. He only knew he has some troubles, adn had been in hospital or the rehab. They loved Alice, our late daughter (named after Pat's real name)- Eric had her graduation photo on his sideboard, framed. His funeral is on November 1st. D. and I are his personal representatives, and applying for probate. He did not leave a will (though I tried to help him to make one) - which means there's a lot of work to do over his estate. But nearly all of his money will go on cost of the funeral. He wants to be buried in his parents' grave; we shall honour that, even if we have to cover some of the cost ourselves.

As for our own life - we have been pleased to talk with Tom on the phone, and receive a long letter from him, and to know he is all right... But this is Eric's time - and this bolg is in his memory. [Still needs editing for typo's.]

Eric - rest in peace. Love to all -
Tigey.