Dad, Was never one for sitting in school, he favoured teasing the American GI's who were over for the war. He used to amaze us with his tales of banter and taking their cigarettes. The natural progression for Dad was to join the profession that he used to taunt; the Army. Oh what a shock they got in the Staffordshire Regiment, travelling the world, discipline was seen as a word that had to be tested and that he did at every opportunity. Travelling the world he built friendships with a band of brothers who are likely to be reminiscing about the old times as you read this tribute. After leaving the Army he worked with the black stuff, laying tarmac on the very same roads you and I travel on from time to time. He then moved into the mines, where his enthusiasm, grit, loyalty and sheer comradeship was eventually homed. Working up from colliery man to colliery over man, he gained the respect of every one who knew him or heard of him. It was in the mine that I have my fondest memories of my Dad, the times I used to meet him in the morning and he would take me to the pit canteen, where he would buy a 'Lush Bar', it may only have been a chocolate bar to outsiders looking in but to me it was pure gold. In the little spare time he had, he would rear and race pigeons, a hobby that thrived through his dogged determination and pride, which allowed him to romp home with numerous trophies and awards, that adorn my Moms house to this very day. Dad was a lot of things, but most importantly he was a husband and father. Donald, Linda, Raymond, Janet, Julie and Kevin, we were all treasured with the same amount of love and affection. And of course my mom, after all the troubles of early life he lifted her to the heights that even us, her offspring could not achieve. Dad we will always be indebted to you for that and all you did for us. God bless and keep looking over us. Your Son Chris