Joan's Tribute for George I don’t think I can add to Helen’s tribute to George only that I loved him for all he did for us as a family and I’m proud that he was my husband. He was a much loved and adored husband, Dad and Grandad. He was my husband and best friend, a friend to everyone and a true gentleman. He was a very special person, a quiet man never raising his voice, loving his family and helping anyone if he could; nothing was ever too much trouble. He was born 21st February 1933 to his Mum and Dad joining his older brother John. The family home was a three-cornered cottage not far from St. Martins Church. Not long after, the family moved to Wyndhurst Road, Yardley, Birmingham. His Mum worked at the biscuit factory whilst his Dad was a furnaceman. Of course, by the age of just nine, George and John’s lives would be overshadowed by the outbreak of the war. His Dad became an ARP warden who had to do fire watch during and after the air raids and had the unsavoury task of digging out those who had been trapped when their houses and factories were bombed. From a young age John and George had to help with housework, apparently George didn’t like polishing and so he cut the legs off the dining chairs. Times were tremendously hard for the family and for the nation in general. Things were scarce and rationing was enforced and the only release was to go to the Lickey Hills for days out and picnics. By the age of 12 George had a job as a delivery boy for the baker on his rounds for which he received the handsome reward of one shilling and sixpence, and cakes and buns for the family. George’s Dad purchased a tandem and he would ride with him on it. Later his Dad purchased a scooter which George borrowed to visit and court Joan. The scooter always ran out of petrol on his way home so he would have to push it most of the way. George often wondered if his Dad did it on purpose but it didn’t stop him from making the journey to see his lovely Joan. George left school at 14 and met up with Ken (who was our Best Man) on their first day on the Nuffield Apprentice training scheme at Common Lane. They did some of their training at Erdington Technical college. George was a clever lad and good at maths. They both finished up in the Tool Design Drawing Office. They did their National Service – George then aged 21 served as a REME in the Army and Ken in the RAF. They returned to their jobs in the Tool Design Office, which had moved to Fisher and Ludlow at the Castle Bromwich Plant and were good friends throughout this period. Charles Murray – who had a large ‘posh’ car- also worked at Fisher and Ludlow and the three became close mates. A good friend Marion introduced me to George at a West End dance party as she thought we’d be well suited for each other. How right she was. We began courting, George always bought me a pack of polo mints each time we met. We didn’t have a long courtship, we knew we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together. Charles was a good organiser and before we were all married, Ken to Pam, Charles to Jean and George to myself, the six of us used to meet up at The Clock Garage in Castle Bromwich, on Saturday nights, and motor over to dances in Coventry, Leicester, and Nottingham. In later years George moved on to Ford, but the six of us and our young families had good times and super days out together for picnics and outings to attractions, such as Alton Towers- and we have always kept in touch although sadly we have lost Charles now. George took early retirement at 58 years of age but continued as a consultant engineer for Ford Motor Company and travelled abroad many times. George’s hobby was woodwork and his love for his hobby is displayed throughout our home. From designing and building a cabinet to house my sewing machine to building a wooden staircase to the loft and creating a lovely sewing and knitting room for me. He even helped my brother renovate his cottage and built the roof for him. George’s talent for making things was tremendous. George didn’t like gardening and this has always been a family joke. He said that the bloke who invented gardening should come back and finish it. The hydrangea by the front door was a particular enemy to George, attacking him each time he walked past it and one time as he was painting by it, a flower head had the cheek to dip it’s head into the paint pot and spoil the paint. George was not happy but we found it funny. I would like to thank Oak Lodge for all their love and attention they gave George, especially when he became bedridden and struggled to speak and eat. Nothing was too much trouble and family were always made welcome on our visits to see him. I thank Alan, Helen, son-in-law Al, Granddaughters Rachel and Anna and Anna’s boyfriend Josh for all their support and love. George will always be in my heart and my thoughts.