I met Dick on the 9th of January, 1962. The first day in the army for both of us. Also my 16th birthday. 
We spent three years together at the Army Apprentice School, Harrogate, learning a trade, learning how to be soldiers and learning how to grow up. I was fortunate to be invited to stay with Dick during one of our leave periods and there i met Gill for the first time. We had a great time together,    along with many others in that time period. Sadly, at the end of that three years those in charge sent us to different places in the world and we lost  touch. 
A few years ago i discovered Dick and Gill lived not far from my son. After a wonderful meeting at their home, my wife and i holidayed with them.     later that summer. When Gill passed away last year, Dick and i continued to keep in touch. Dick was planning a visit to us this year, before this          terrible virus hit home. Now that visit, which I was reall looking forward to can never happen. 
i wiil miss Dick. I will miss the memories we can never share. I will miss his laugh and his sense of humour. I never had the privelidge of meeting his daughters. I wish them well and i ask that you remember your dad with pride. Farewell Dick.