The Legend That Is (Was) Uncle Maurice....

[Bbbananas]

Unfortunately UM passed away on christmas eve. Luckily I had been to see him the night before, but I knew then it would be the last time I would see him alive.

A stranger to all of you - but to me he was thus:
+ The first person to give me a sip of illicit underage alcohol (brandy).
+ The first man to drive me at 100 miles per hour (I was 7, it was 1969, in a leather-seated Rover which was the mutts nuts at the time) and make me scream with terror & excitement combined.
+ The man who I insisted I have my 8th birthday party at his house, the year my mum had run off with my primary school headmaster & the whole village was scandalised.

I remember him with a leer & a "Come on sit on my knee & gissa kiss" - until we told him in our mid-teens that really wasn't proper any more. :-(

He did his National Service in the Korean war, during which he saw untold horrors, but earned the respect of his comrades who (those who are left) gave him a Veteran's send-off & guard of honour. 200+ at his funeral in our town's equivalent of a cathedral.

A religious man, yet very naughty. Loved the ladies, loved his gin. Went from living in a caravan with his young bride after the war, to building up a very successful business. Known as The Gentleman Builder (I thought it was because he always said 'thank you' to the ladies afterwards ;-), but apparently it was cos he always wore a short & tie, always).

God bless ya Mo. I had your sort of gin on Wednesday - extra strong - 2/3 gin to 1/3 tonic, ice & a slice and with a 'bottoms up'. And a leer....

[ttfn]

I hope you are talking Tanqueray Export there salla as befits the gentleman. I will raise a medicinal tot to him myself today (like I need an excuse) ;o)

[4getmenot]

god bless my nan too who died this morning. I got to share a shandy in hospital with her last week.

[Dris]

Aw sorry to hear that 4get but I do remember you posting you had shared a shandy -sorry for you loss:(

[dotty.]

I only ever had one uncle, my Mum;s brother Uncle Maurice, he died of a heart attack in 1987 driving his Land Rover towing a horse box with a cleveland bay mare in the back.

[Dris]

O yuck -thats sick:(

[wolf63]

dotty - was the horse okay?

I don't think that I have an "Uncle Maurice" but most of my family members are a bit odd - not always in a good/nice way. My brother is okay - even if he doesn't have a cat and he lives in England.

[Invictas]

Sorry dris,
I have had few too many G&T's tonight.
My father knocked me about physically till I was 18 and left home.
He can rot in hell,I hope he is.
My Mum,who's birthday it is today,was lovely and kind,BUT knew about the violence and did bothing to stop it,so I have mixed feelings there.
Sorry.

[4getmenot]

yes dris i knew then that was the last time id see her. She was 89. My grandad would have been 90 2moro so she'll be in time for the party. He'll have to cancel the strippers.

[Dris]

What a great sentiment 4get-together at last for the knees up....