You're never far from my thoughts Dad and I still miss you very much. Claire x

A gentleman, My Uncle John, how shocked I am to hear you’re gone, deep within my heart, I’ll miss you so. A beautiful kind and gentleperson, one of few that graced my life. I’ll not forget your helpful ways. Rest in Peace, My Uncle John. Eugene.

Now that the dust has settled I can relate my oft told young soldiers tale of when I first came into contact with your Dad.I had just turned 18 & having achieved my Para Wings I was posted to 63 Coy,in Aldershot.After about 18months we moved out of Aldershot to Elles Barracks Farnborough,to enable the Army to rebuild Aldershot,as we had been living in the Horse Lines!! I am setting the scene here because by the time I first met your Dad having been in the Army since the age of 15 I really thought that I was the bees knees!! We lived in 96 man blocks designed for 24 men X 4 rooms with central Ablutions.Reveille was 0615 hrs & woe would befall anyone not out of bed at that time.Being 'out of bed' was construed as one foot in contact with the floor & you can imagine what happened should you nod off!! Anyway there were 3 blocks that the Orderly Sergeant (your Dad being one of them) had to visit & he was well known for being scrupulously fair in his dealings with the soldiery,BUT IT SEEMED THAT HE COULD WAKE US ALL UP AT THE SAME TIME!!? We put this down to his being dressed in pumps & tracksuit & most importantly,he was the silent assassin & should you not be up & about you were normally placed on report & went through all the rigmarole of being charged with a 'criminal offence' & performing 'Jankers' & for the National Servicemen this meant that they could'nt get home at weekends etc. Not your Dad though..Punishment to fit the crime included one night of shifting coal/coke for the QM or peeling spuds/washing up in the Officers/Sgts Messes etc.Of course as we became wise to his tactics we evolved various ploys to defeat him but the only way to really beat him was to get Married & 'live out'-so I did!!!! He was a lovely man & we shall all miss him & his 'no nonsense' attitude to life & soldiering. Love to Mum,big Sisters & Family & don't forget that Ron & myself are only a phone call/email away should you need any help/advice in looking out for Mum & Family. All the very best for all of your futures & I remain, Yours Sincerely, Jack Matthews