Just got some bad news

[Alan 45]

i want to tell you about the bloke who got me back into modelling


It was in the summer of 2011 when I got chatting to an elderly gentleman while having a smoke down my local , the usual moan about what a terrible wet summer we were having continued into the pub and we got talking about various things when I asked what he did he told me he served aboard the Hms ramillies from 43 to 46 and he was in damage control he told me about his time serving and the people he new and never one bravery tail , we got on very well as he did with everyone ,


He was always happy always having a laugh and was a real joy to be around


He was Sutch a decent bloke when his birthday came along we through him a surprise party and promoted him to the rank of captain and I built him a model of a warship and this was my return to the hobby


I'm proud to sayi got to know Harold ball of the hms ramillies and he has sadly passed on now but he will never be forgotten by those who got to know him


R.I.P Harold gone but will never be forgotten

[Guest]

That was a lovely thing to do and it's sad that all that knowledge has been lost. But you have found new enthusiasm in the hobby now thanks to him.


Ray.

[Robert1968]

Thanks for sharing this with us ALan and it's nice to have met someone who " did their bit for king and country"


The heroes we never truly hear of


Thanks


Robert

[eddiesolo]

That is a shame Al, lovely tribute to the man and hope he is having a drink and catching up with his old sea-mates.


Si.

[Guest]

I wonder if he knew my Uncle, who also served on the Ramillies during the early part of the war.


RIP Sailor.

[Alan 45]

Thanks for the kind words guys , I'm going to really miss him you don't get many who can have done so much and suffer so much ( skin cancer) and still have a zest for life like he did , I'm sure he's having more than one or two brandies with his ship mates and I'm sure he will be glad to see his wife again as well

[Guest]

That's a sad but happy tale both at the same time, glad to have heard it, it's also nice he will be remembered by you and now all on here who read this.

[yak face]

Sad but at the same time quite an uplifting story alan . It good to know that he was recognised for the unsung hero he was at least by yourself and all the punters at the pub

[grumpa]

AHH, the oldsters, we have an old salt who lives down the mountain a bit, 88, but he puts it at "twice 44" served in the navy during Okinawa and Saipan landings. Flew PBYs evacuating wounded, The Mrs. took a shine to him and visits at least two or three times a week to make sure he's getting along and helps him with housework etc... He loves our cooking {the wife is always bringing him something} He has no one but us he says and he is very frail but sharp, a real sweetheart as the Mrs. calls him. He told me once that I was lucky he wasn't 40 years younger or he would try to steal her from me. The boys take him fishing when he's up for it and my little granddaughters call him Grampy Joe, we make sure he has plenty of firewood for winter {his only source of heat} And I'm always fixing something or other at his house. It's a pleasure for us to help him, though we must tread lightly for he's not one for charity.......Jim

[Guest]

That is a real shame Al....


Thank you very much to share with all us this lovely story.


Nice tribute