Life Story - Your Grandad's Football

Eric grew up on Belsize Avenue, Woodston, Peterborough. He was the eldest son and never knew who his dad was. This is his story, in his words until he became too poorly to add to it.

Could have done better - tried hard

I'm unable to remember when my mother married Joe Grubb (who remained my much-loved step-father until he died), and I was left to be cared for by my Aunt Daisy, who was barely 21.

I enjoyed junior school (Woodston) and was encouraged by excellent teachers, although suffering many embarrassments when asked the whereabouts of my dad. At this time, I was aware that I had a sister, Betty, who was adopted by Sid Searle and his wife. I think we both knew of the situation, but our paths rarely crossed, and I was not encouraged to speak about it.

Aunt Daisy eventually met Uncle Les Wragg and they were married. Whilst their eldest children, Dorothy and Joan were being born I had to change schools – at Lidlington, Beds, and Bletchley, Bucks and although I was happy staying with Uncle Alf and Aunt Phyl, I was most unhappy at school – not knowing anyone and only a temporary pupil. These changes lasted only 3 to 4 months each time and I returned to my original school – to start life again, as I saw it.

Football took up most of my leisure time and being selected for the school team was quite a thrill. However, I only had one pair of shorts and they were green, quite humiliating as the rest of the team had mostly white.

I made progress in most subjects and was considered to be among the brightest of pupils though Grammar School was out of the question because uniforms, blazers, caps etc and sports kit had to be purchased and it was necessary for me to be contributing towards my upkeep – many of my friends went to the Grammar School and would leave at 16, or go on to University, and I like many others left school at 14.

The Germans had forced us out of France and the future was looking bleak.

I started work at London Brick No.1 Works, taking off press which involved taking green clay bricks off the conveyor belt and stacking them on to bogies – continuous throughout the hot days of July 1940 – but – on the third day I was involved in a skirmish as I objected to a spot of bullying – as a result I and the offender were sacked on the spot.

I had to get another job quickly, so without consideration I went to the Co-op Dairy as an assistant Milkman. It was about 2 miles from home and I had to be there at about 5.30 a.m. to get the horse ready so he could pull the loaded cart round the streets. We could finish between 1 and 2; my problem was Saturdays when money had to be collected which meant a 5pm finish. I could see that this would mean no Saturday football for me so when the opportunity arose for me to join J.P. Hall & Sons in Queens Walk, I did not hesitate. I was operating a shaping machine, the firm made pumps for the ships of the Merchant Navy.

Frequent Air-Raid warnings meant that the factory had to be guarded against incendiary bombs, so at night, staff had to take turns as ‘Firewatchers’ and with buckets and stirrup pumps were paid 3 shillings per night for this duty. I supplemented my 10 shillings a week by relieving some married men of their shift, although I had to stagger this offer as I was staggering during the day.

A Major upset - Uncle Les was directed to work at an aircraft factory at Rugby, so moved there with Aunt Daisy, Dorothy and Joan. I was left at home with Uncle Jim and for some time lived on sausage fritters (no fish in those days) and chips, and canned loganberries. We had a woman (with daughter) as a housekeeper but that only lasted a few weeks.

Brockley, where my mother lived, was regularly targeted by German bombers and she was finally bombed out, so with Terry, Jean, Peggy and young Joe, came back to Peterborough. Stepdad Joe stayed in London with the Rescue Service and was later called up for military service with the Pioneer Corps.

Life was great again, being cared for and part of a family. My youngest brother Alan was to follow.

I continued happily at Hall’s, some of the workers were professional footballers directed into engineering. I enjoyed their company at work and also joined some of them playing local football.

The war continued and was changing, German day bombing had almost stopped but night raids continued. Our own bombers were gradually increasing and finding many targets in Germany, but at a great cost, heavy losses were incurred, and the shortage of crews was of great concern. Volunteers were sought for air crew, mostly gunners and at 17 and a quarter, were invited for acceptance. I volunteered and was scheduled to report to Cardington one Monday in October 1943.

Before receiving this order, my footballer workmate had recommended me to Wolverhampton Wanderers, and I was asked to play for Wolves Reserves at their Molineux ground - the Saturday before joining the RAF.

With the possibility of being asked to sign for Wolves (at that time one of the country’s top teams), I did not report to Cardington. So, with so many casualties 1944/5 I considered myself very, very lucky.

My employment at Hall’s was ended after three and a half years due to an altercation with the Works Manager (Paddy Wright) who was the son-in-law of the Managing Director Mr G.C.Hall (once Mayor of Peterborough).

Being Wartime, one was directed to employment – I had the choice of: -

Gas Board Fitter
Railway Engine Cleaner
Baker Perkins Ltd – Engineering

I chose the latter but was disappointed to be given the job of Rough Grinding (fettling), which was grinding castings which had come from the foundry. Very unpleasant requiring mask, goggles and two bottles of milk per day to ease the throat.

During the second week I was approached by a Mr Batchelor who requested all my personal details. When I asked for what purpose he said, “for the union”, I said that I did not want to join, to which he replied, “you can’t work here if you don’t join”.

So, it was down tools and a meeting with the top brass, union, and a representative from the Ministry of Labour. Many people did not appreciate that unions could have so much influence in war-time. It was decided that I should leave, perhaps to save red faces all round – it put me off unions for life, especially as I remember the union calling a strike resulting in Liverpool dockers refusing to unload ships with vital wartime supplies, the army having to do the job. This whilst servicemen were losing their lives.

The Ministry of Labour offered me: -

Gas Board Fitter
Railway Engine Cleaner

I chose the latter and was employed by the London & North Eastern Railway Company at the locomotive depot, New England (nearly 3 miles from home). I cleaned the notable engines of the era, including The Mallard. When a Cleaner had gained a little experience, he became a Passed Cleaner and could then act as a Fireman on the footplate of local engines.

July ’44 I was transferred to Stamford East Station which served the branch line to Essendine, joining there the main Kings Cross-Edinburgh line. For the day shift I would get the train at Peterborough East station and get off the train at Stamford Midland station and walk across the High Street to the lesser LNER station, (which eventually closed) and then start my shift. The three shift drivers were – ‘Peggy’ Martin, Frank Beaumont and Jack Day.

The morning shift was more demanding – I had to be at Stamford by 5.30am to light the locomotive fire and prepare for goods and passenger work. I had to cycle from Peterborough to Stamford, about 13 miles, during the wartime blackout, then do a day’s work! However, after this shift I could get a train from the main Stamford Station to Peterborough East Station, and then cycle home. On two occasions I overslept and had to catch the 4.39 paper train from Peterborough North to Essendine where I met my driver who had prepared the engine and brought it to Essendine, on his own!! Where was Elf & Safety then?

I remember whilst working at Stamford there were many airfields in the area, and one particular day there was a procession of aircraft, many towing gliders, - of course we learned later that this was the assault on Arnhem, operation “Market Garden”.

Late in 1944 I suffered a cartilage injury to my knee and found difficulty in climbing on to the footplate to take coal and water, so was transferred back to New England and eventually released from that type of employment.

My knee was giving me a lot of pain and one day we had a message that my Grandad had collapsed on the allotments at the top of the street. I half ran, half limped to the allotments and then ran to the brickworks to get Uncle Jim. I was in such pain and shock – Grandad had died. He was laid out in our front room in Belsize Avenue on a steel Anderson Shelter (supplied as a table, with bed underneath – which was used during air raids).

My next employment was repairing Hangar roofs at RAF Upwood, picked up near home by lorry, strangely this was not a reserved occupation so early in 1945 I was called up for military service in the Army. During my 6 weeks initial training at Britannia Barracks, Norwich, the medics decided that I needed an operation on my knee, so Colchester Military Hospital was my next location.

Operation completed, recuperation at Stansted Hall, Stansted Abbots, now the site of the airport. Whilst there Germany surrendered and we all got a lift on a Benskin’s Brewery lorry to nearby Bishops Stortford - and celebrated in style!

Next stop, for 6 weeks. Kempston Barracks, Bedford, for final fitness, which enabled me to get home regularly, and to visit friends at Marston Valley, where Uncle Alf once lived. Then on to Bradford, converted Grammar School in Manningham Lane, where some of the roughest people you could meet were waiting to rejoin their units.

Whilst there, Japan surrendered. After 6 weeks there, two weeks at Whittington Barracks, Lichfield and then a posting to Regimental Pay Office, Leicester. Yes, I was in the Royal Army Pay Corps, able to get home easily, in civilian lodgings, doing office work which was like being at school.

Just over a year at Leicester and I was transferred to Leeds, again in civilian lodgings, this being a District Pay Office and dealt with individual establishments, our job being to audit the accounts of each establishment in the area, Catterick, York etc., and encouraged me into a later career of Management Accountant. I signed on for an extra 3 years service, £75 on signing and £75 on completion. Now in the Regular Army and promoted to Corporal.

January 1948, sent to Aldershot, in preparation for sailing to Gold Coast, West Africa stopping at Las Palmas, Gran Canaria for 4 hours to refuel, Freetown, Sierra Leone to offload, Bathurst and finally Takoradi, Gold Coast, and then by Mammy Wagon to Accra, capital of Gold Coast, now Ghana. Promotion to sergeant!

20 months in West Africa, teaching the Africans auditing and accountancy, whilst auditing the accounts of the colonial units.

Returned home to Liverpool, 20 days on a merchant ship, The New Texas, Elder Dempster Line, only two passengers, one ex Japanese Prisoner of War, and myself.

Throughout my time in Africa, my friend was Derek (Perry) Dexter and we then joined each other in Edinburgh. We audited the accounts of the King’s Balmoral Guard Unit which was based at nearby Ballater.

Whilst on leave, I visited Warmington to see Perry and we went into the Red Lion for a drink and was served by Madge Todd, my future Mother-in-law. I met Vivian on later visits, she being a blossoming 15-year-old, we did some exciting things like playing Hangman.

After 6 months in Edinburgh we were demobbed at Strensall Camp, York, issued with a new suit and my bounty of £75, this when the average wage was under £5 per week. I spent £15 in having electricity put into our house, replacing the gas. At the age of 23 I had my first Post Office Savings Account.

Comparison with other soldiers both socially and at work helped to cure my inferiority complex and I felt confident in joining London Brick Co as a Wages Clerk where I was among ex-schoolmates and friends, 5 minutes walk from home, regular hours and a no pressure job. However, there was not much opportunity for advancement and I was not rewarded for more difficult assignments. I discovered a number of wasteful procedures, but no one wanted to know – theirs was a job for life. We didn’t see a Director during my 5 years with the company – so!

Sellers & Batty (Sales) Ltd had just been formed, (being an offshoot of Sellers & Batty Ltd., Haulage Contractors) with the object of offering spares and service to the parent company and other haulage contractors, and in due course selling Commercial Vehicles. The brainchild of Mr. Ernest Batty, and financed by him, I was their fourth recruit. I needed to set up administrative systems for accounting, invoicing, purchasing, sales, stock control, credit control, banking and wages. I went to evening classes at Peterborough Technical College to brush up on my accountancy, practiced typing and generally learning from any books available. Time was on my side for a short while, but rapid growth meant taking work home until further recruitment was necessary.

With my future looking more secure I felt confident enough to marry and there being only one person for me , I had to pluck up courage and jump in over other competitors and ask Vivian if she would marry me – fortunately for me she said yes, her Dad and Mum did not object, I was afraid to reveal my background, although I was accepted by them and other relatives but as I had not been baptised I feared, perhaps unnecessarily, of being married in church, and to this day I regret denying my wife that pleasure. Even as a youth, as a believer, I attended chapel as a second-best escape.

Mr Ernest Batty, our managing director arranged for us to buy our first house in Coneygree Road, Stanground, where Garry spent his first year as a baby and having saved for a deposit we purchased a new bungalow in Rowe Avenue, Orton Longueville, where Stuart started his early life.

Back to work.

With employee numbers exceeding 50 I was invited to become a director – Financial Director and Company Secretary.

Although now as a shareholder, I had more to gain, my efforts towards company profitability were no different, perhaps because of an ambitious and fair Managing Director. The Company continued to grow year on year, and significantly, under my guidance, our Credit Control had only £200 of bad debts written off in 15 years!

In 1970 Hanson Trust made an offer for the Company, based on previous profits and my current year forecast, which we eventually reached, so we were taken over by a major stock-exchange conglomerate and had to adapt our administration to their corporate methods which I found acceptable as the group directors mostly were accountants.

The offer for our shares enabled my family to buy a new house in Orton Waterville and be comfortable finance wise. We now had Karen and she was at the toddling stage.

Just over a year later The Lex Motor Group made a bid for Hansons Commercial Vehicle interests and after meeting Lex’s Managing Director Trevor Chinn and his underlings at Skyways Hotel, Heathrow, we were again in new hands.

Lex were a different organisation, and Sales orientated, but not Heavy Commercials, and made preparations to run the business-like car sales, with no regard to the needs of Haulage Contractors requiring 24-hour spares and service to keep their vehicles and drivers working. I objected to some of these methods, such as running down stocks of spares etc., but was not supported by my Co (Sales/Managing) director who was prepared to follow head office instructions – to his later benefit.

Although with some regard to my wife and young family, I resigned.

I immediately contacted people I had been involved with in business and Mr Ernie Batty had just bought Glinton Cars so made me a director (Part time) to provide administrative assistance. Les Curtis, Vinpenta Finance also made me a director to oversee his interests – again part time. A few other small businesses required my services. We were not desperate for money, but I found that travelling time used up many of the hours I could be charging, each job was generally problem solving which was difficult to put a price on, and of course holidays were unpaid.

So, mutually, I arranged to resign the directorships and concentrate on three regular clients, Vincent Perna – VP Welding, P.C. Howard Ltd – Haulage Contractors and Pig Farmers, and Chettles Group – Rushden, Commercial Vehicles.

VP Welding had no methods of recording how many hours each job was taking, Vincent was working in the factory from sunrise to sunset, so we spent many a late evening totalling up job cards and prepared for invoicing.

Selective Employment tax had been in operation for some months but no claim for rebate had been made. This together with the introduction of VAT put quite a strain on a growing business but the problems were overcome, and Vincent has always acknowledged my help in his eventual success – for which he was more than generous.

P.C. Howard Ltd were a family concern, Mr Percy Howard had died recently, and the financial side was looked after by Mrs Howard, a lovely lady, with little experience of business. She would collect the wages from the bank at Stamford, do some shopping, and return to Kings Cliffe and pay the staff as they called in - petty cash expenses from her handbag. The directors, brothers Roy, Bill and Anthony, were operational and hard working, whilst Bernard arranged the haulage and was office based. The Haulage recording system was a book for every vehicle – about 22 at that time, Customers name, destination and charge was entered. The book was then used to create an invoice – and was ticked when the invoice was sent. Just imagine looking to see which lorry did a certain delivery, one of 22 books perhaps. Or how many deliveries were done on a particular day? Before the days of computers, I put in a system where all of these could be viewed after one time of writing. I was then instrumental, with Mrs Marjorie Fitzjohn, in introducing machine accounting. The company continued to grow and with the help of another generation of Howards, appears to be thriving.

Chettles’ main business was the processing of Animal By-products but the group expanded by acquiring a variety of businesses, some of which I had experience – Commercial Motors, Motor Agents, Wilcox Aluminium Bodies, Pig Industry and Motor Auctions, Toy manufacturers. After offering consultancy to Bourne Commercial Garage, I was given a 5-year contract as a group director to assist in the administration at the various sites.

My base was at Bourne and local businesses were T.W.Mays & Sons, Animal by-products processors and Pig Rearers. Bourne Commercial Garage, DAF Commercial Vehicle Distributors. Olympia Motor Auctions, Raymond Mays & Partners, Ford Sales & Service. E.M Wilcox, Aluminium Products. I oversaw the administration of all of these companies, but all sales and purchase invoices were sent to head office in Rushden for processing.

The final two years of my contract involved travelling to further establishments – Hansons Garage, Rushden. Wymington Commercial Garage. Blossom Toys, Wellingborough and Wilcox Aluminium Bodies, Peterborough.

Chettles was a strange group – after setting up the administrative systems for the Bourne businesses, my main job was trouble shooting. Any innovations suggested were never activated immediately, perhaps to protect me from blame although I believe management at Head Office sought the credit when changes were introduced some time after.

In 1981 my contract with Chettles expired and Vincent Perna asked me to join him at V.P. Welding, and with his brother Al, who was working at Hotpoint, he formed another company to manufacture engineering products. The name was suggested as Vale Engineering, based on the initials – Vincent, Al, Lucy and Eric, but Companies House had this name registered previously, so we settled for PAVE – Perna, Al, Vincent and Eric, of which I became a director. Vincent and I eventually resigned from Pave Engineering Products Ltd, but remained directors of Pave Engineering Ltd.

At this time, I was contacted by Ernie Batty who had been approached at his villa in the South of France by Arthur Partrick. P. Partrick & Son Ltd., a transport company, was apparently in difficulties due to poor management. I was asked if I would meet Mr Partrick at The Talbot, Oundle, with Vivian, as he had an offer to make me. The offer was a very good salary, company car – a job for life (P. Partrick & Son had been a customer of Sellers & Batty).

The company had over expanded, had offices in Southampton for freight forwarding and in Cardiff supporting haulage from South Wales Area, with highly paid directors and company cars in each. They had also purchased a bankrupt French company in Carquefeu, Nantes, in order to have a Continental base for Spanish freight. I visited all of these depots, Nantes twice. My French was very limited but probably better than others in the company.

I found many areas of mismanagement and a family argument and reshuffle meant I was the casualty and on the dole for the first time in my life, aged 56. Needless to say, the firm were bankrupt within a year. My mistake? – forgetting the old adage – “Blood is thicker than water”.

I suppose life had been good to me, but the experience of queuing at the Job Centre I found most humiliating and decided to take the first opportunity to get back to work. An accountant was required by a window company in Stanground, the salary was £2000 per year less – and no company car. The systems were chaotic, salesmen took their commission out of customer’s deposits if cash was involved. The boss helped himself out of petty cash, sometimes forgetting to leave a note thus causing frantic checks and throwing suspicion on other employees. There were difficulties with the Inland Revenue and I had to attend a meeting at their offices where I had to assure them that past problems would not reoccur, due to my reorganisation and control – the boss was off the hook. However, shady business was continued, and I discovered that my predecessor was fiddling – and was being paid £3000 per year more than me and although my salary was then brought into line, I felt my reputation was in danger if I continued in that employment.

As I was still a director of Pave Engineering, I returned to work for Vincent Perna and Vincent had recently vacated his house which was attached to his business. I contacted Michael McDowell who I knew from my previous job, proposing we formed a company to sell and install windows, with showroom, together with adjoining factory.

With the knowledge and experience of shady and unreliable double-glazing companies, Pride Windows was set up with the intention of being different from most firms in this type of business – our policy being complete satisfaction for customers before expecting payment and being available to them afterwards. Not employing Sales gimmicks or Commissioned Salesmen. My time was split between PAVE Engineering and Pride Windows until Pride’s growth demanded more of my time. An arrangement with Vincent allowed me to resign from PAVE and Vincent to resign from Pride. My time then was completely with Pride Windows until retirement in May 1991 – I returned for a month or so whilst Tracy was having Luke.

In 2006 I was re-united with my sister, Betty, thanks to Karen’s unrelenting research and promptings.

That’s it!

30th May 2008

Not quite: - Stopped playing golf mainly through time but have happy memories of friends made and occasions such as seeing Gary Player opening the 18-hole Ramsey course, and at the same time witnessing Ryder Cup golfer, Dai Rees, scoring 8 at the 8th hole. I had ‘Hole-in-one’ at Oundle, Luffenham Heath and Thorney Fen - lowest handicap 16. At Burghley our 4 followed Mark James and his group and at Oundle, Kenneth Kaunda, president of Zambia preceded my group – he was accompanied by an armed guard and enjoyed the benefits of the Clubhouse afterwards.

My good friend Tony Bosworth was still arranging to transport me to and from London Road to watch the ‘Posh’ and in November 2013 I was presented on the pitch with a long service plaque.

Now that is it at 19th March 2014

Come last week in May, I had a mini stroke and spent time in Peterborough Hospital then referred to Addenbrookes for proposed surgery. Consultants decided against it, so returned home in time for my birthday.

Still struggling on 10th June 2014

Ditto- 29th August 2015 – taking the tablets.

2016 After having a fall at home spent Christmas at a care home with Vivian in Deeping. Returned home but suffered a chest infection and had a fall resulting in a few days in hospital. After a few days discussed the possibility of Vivian going into care in Oundle. She was unable to care for me and I was finding life more difficult. Karen arranged for Vivian to go into Abbott House mid-January.

Karen arranged my 90th Birthday party at the Red Lion, a great success with about 80 friends and family – a most memorable day for me.

I visit Vivian 3 times a week, I do miss her but think of her all the time.

The Posh have presented me with two Long Service plaques, accompanied with Tony Bosworth and Garry and then with Karen, with meals, a bottle of champagne and a seat in the Directors Box.

In November I was presented with the 1st box in the Wall of Life (£750) as I saw the 1st match played by the Posh (1934), the presentation, accompanied by Karen and Danny, was recorded by SKY television and featured in the Daily Telegraph.

Now looking forward to spending Christmas Day at the Care Home with Vivian, Brian, Karen, Todd, Danny and Kitty.

July 2019 – Collapsed at home, rescued by Garry, sent to hospital having had a burst Gastric Ulcer and family told to say their goodbyes. Critically ill for a week or so but recovered after treatment- transfusion etc.

CONTINUED BY KAREN

2 March 2020 – Vivian passed away at The Maltings in Peterborough after having to be moved into nursing care the month before.

19 March 2020 – Vivian's funeral, three days before the first national lockdown due to the covid pandemic. The family restricted the funeral to immediate family only on advice from my medical work colleagues as covid was now spreading quickly. The wake was cancelled.

October/November 2020 – Eric contracted covid and was hospitalised due to immune response but recovered and was discharged November 2020 after two weeks. At that time elderly patients were being discharged into care homes due to lack of community care workers, so I moved in to care for Eric for three weeks in order for him to be able to return home. I advertised in an Oundle Facebook Group for a new carer and found Elisa Perna (Vincent’s daughter) and Katie Birkett (an Oundle resident and very experienced carer). These two wonderful people were with us until the end.

April 2021 – Eric was desperate to get a few things finished as he sensed he was running out of time. He wanted to reach his 95th birthday and would have loved another big birthday bash but this was denied by covid restrictions. He also wanted to have a church service and wake for Vivian, but the pandemic stopped that also. He was desperate to get back to the pub, The Red Lion at Warmington, for his favourite Scampi & Chips and Tim’s Apple Pie. He was now eating scampi & chips (which he referred to as scimpi and chaps) for most meals at home (lunch and dinner!) with a good-sized dollop of tartar sauce.

May 2021 – Eric’s last interview with Peterborough Matters was published on his birthday. He got to see Peterborough United promoted. He reached his 95th birthday and he managed to go out for a meal with family for his birthday at the pub.

June 2021 – Blood test results showed some issues and he was given the option of going into hospital as he might just need a blood transfusion. Was told a bed was booked and he would probably be in for just 48 hours, was also reassured you can have visitors now. He had already done a Respect Form with Oundle Surgery stating no more hospital after the experience in November. However, he decided to roll the dice one last time. There wasn’t a bed booked, more confusion and we had a drawn-out night getting booked in via A&E where 80 people were waiting for beds apparently. Covid restrictions had lifted slightly allowing a visitor once he was on the ward (he spent three days on MAU first where no visitors were allowed). Only one visitor was allowed during the duration of the stay, Garry was away supporting another family member when visiting opened up, so I was the nominated visitor. Blood tests showed markers for blood cancer and prostrate cancer. The hospital also wanted to do another endoscopy because of anaemia. Eric said I am dying of old age, all I want is to go home. He refused further tests. The hospital kept trying to keep him in for longer but eventually we managed to get through to them that Eric had all necessary cares in place and just wanted to come home now, and they were acting against his wishes. I had noticed he had stopped eating as visits coincided with lunchtimes, breakfast was uneaten Tues and Weds and he was not interested in the lunch. So, eight days after being admitted to hospital we managed to get him home, it was Thursday 24th June, and the last time we saw Eric managing to sit up properly. On arriving home, we decided to put him to bed as he was worn out. Garry and Katie looked after Eric through the night. On Friday morning the district nurse and Katie felt he was end of life and with the info from me about when he stopped eating we decided to call the doctor to make an assessment. The doctor came out and assessed on the Friday afternoon, she agreed end of life and estimated he might get to Wednesday. On Friday Eric spoke to Todd, Kitty and Danny (Danny via video call). He also saw his brother Alan and wife Pam, and niece Tracey. Robert Bosworth also popped in. On Saturday morning a hospital bed was delivered, and Eric was moved into the living room and made more comfortable.

Saturday and Sunday were strange times because Eric was very alert and chatty, and it was almost like a party atmosphere. I stayed over Saturday night and Katie stayed on the Sunday. Elisa kept Katie company for a while on the Sunday evening and they heard strange noises (I explained my grandfather previously died there on April Fool's Day 1982!). Eric wasn’t 100% ‘with it’ because he was asking for cups of tea (Saturday) and pint of beer (Sunday) every few minutes but he enjoyed the many visitors who came to see him, Vincent and Lucy Perna, Elisa, Ross and Gabriella; Bill Howard, Tony Bosworth, neighbours, niece Linda, and more. Danny not satisfied with a video call goodbye booked time off from his job in Manchester and got the train down to spend Saturday with his grandad. On Saturday he sang songs, recited poems and wanted photos sharing on Facebook. On Sunday morning he video called his brother Joe in Australia and sister-in-law Sylvia and told them he loved them. Katie got him a half pint of London Pride from the pub in a tankard, he wanted to hold the handle even though he could only take down drink via a teaspoon. On the Sunday evening he was alone with Garry for a while and convinced him to drink some more London Pride with him, and the tankard again was a special request.

Over the last few days he wanted to know when the England – Germany match was on and was desperate to beat the Germans (or jerries as he called them). Stuart came on Monday. Eric regained consciousness for a short while late Monday afternoon and evening.

Tuesday morning Eric was able to talk a little and tell us he loved us. He changed his final funeral song to the one we had for mum’s in the last few days. He called out his brother Joe’s name but was largely not talking or opening his eyes throughout the day. We put on “I’ll never find another you” by The Seekers and Eric moved his hands to the song and silently mouthed the words, he was still there just no longer able to communicate. Garry, Karen and Todd spent the day there (Vincent, Lucy and Elisa also popped in, and Katie was providing care) and then the England-Germany match came on (Euros 2020 delayed to 2021 due to covid). Karen left partway through the match to get some rest. At the end of the match Eric’s breathing started to change and get slower. He had been told the score by Garry and Todd, 2-0 to England. Garry stepped out the room and Todd told his grandad not to worry about Garry, he would be okay, and it was okay to go now. Eric passed away a couple of minutes before 9pm on Tuesday 29 June with Garry and Todd by his side. He got his wish to die at home and it was literally 'football til he died'. Katie and Elisa made Eric look smart as he would never leave the house without a tie or a shave. I don't know whether it is an Italian custom but Elisa said it was customary to walk Eric out as he left the house for the last time. It was moving to be stood with Eric's old business partner and great friend's daughter in that moment just before midnight. Some people come into your life at just the right moment and I will never forget the kindness of Katie and Elisa who were our rocks during such a difficult time.

A joint funeral service was held for both our parents in July 2021. Eric's cousin confided the name of Eric's father at the funeral, a long-kept family secret which had been revealed by Aunt Daisy to her son just before she died.