Landing in the UK was a bittersweet occasion. Wonderful seeing family, in their natural habitat but painful due to the circumstances. Grandad's death came quickly and peacefully and I am told that although I was unfortunate in missing him by a matter of days, I am lucky to have not seen him in this final stretch. My memories of him will not be tainted by the images of a man frail and weak but instead strong, cheeky and playful. The funeral payed homage to his personality, a little fuss but moderately restrained. Perfect. I tried to be strong but as we walked, following Mum, Nan and Cousins Sam and Kati, cousin Rachael and I began to cry as the daunting reality sank in it's vicious claws. Seeing his coffin, laid out with the British flag, his medals and wreaths of Naval anchors, I realized that I had not yet shed a tear and it all became too much for pride and I gave in to my sadness.
For those at home, the Eulogy was as follows;
Eulogy for James William David Hazelden
By Angela Kearnan (Mother)
Firstly on behalf of mum and the family, I would like to thank you all for coming today to help us celebrate Dad's long life. And we would especially like to extend our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the family and friends who have been such a support to mum and Dad over the last few years.
As you know this wonderful man lived for 100 years and 6 months, so I could be excused for making an extended speech. I am however only going to share with you some of the important events in his life.
James William David Hazelden was born to James and Agnes on September 2nd 1910 at Uckfield Sussex. He was the youngest of three children born to the couple and shared a very close relationship with his older sisters Agnes, or Dolly as she was widely known and Ellen right up to their deaths in their nineties. So longevity runs in the family.
Unfortunately Dad's father was drowned at sea in 1914 - one of the first casualties of WWI. This had a great effect on Dad's life as his mother remarried at a lat date and dad did not have a good relationship with his stepfather, so he followed his father's footsteps and joined the royal navy at the age of 15. His experiences in WWII will be expanded on by my brother James, so I will fast forward to the biggest event of his life, the meeting between James and Betty Ellis. Betty was being repatriated from South Africa aboard the Orbita, a P&O ship being used as a troop ship during the war. The ship docked at Aden and Mum expired this dashing sailor in a white uniform, being transferred from his destroyer on to the Orbita for the trip back to England for medical treatment. After some quick shipboard romancing, by the time the ship docked in Liverpool, the two were engaged and married within weeks of landing in England. This was 29th April 1944, so the marriage lasted nearly 67 years. 1945, Angela was born, followed by James in 1946. A third child, Sally Anne, the baby, was born in 1951. Dad was invalided out of the navy in 1947 and had a variety of occupations before working for the postal service.
In 1969, I emigrated to Australia and Mum, Dad and Sally followed later in the year.
Dad worked for the bank of New South Wales in Sydney until he decided he wanted to return to England to retire.
Mum and Dad returned leaving Sally and myself in Australia. They settled in Herstmonceux. Several visits were made back and forth over the next few years to attend marriages, births of grandchildren etc, both here and in Australia. Dad was very proud to be grandfather to eight and great grandfather to seven.
Although being declared legally blind several years ago, this did not stop Dad from enjoying life and the decline in his health has only been recently and for this we are grateful. Our lives were enriched by his support in our interests, whether it was helping us with our homework (he was very good at making up poems) or making ballet costumes (fairy wings were his speciality). He enjoyed spending time with his son during their involvement with the Seas Cadets.
But Dad was widely loved and respected and this has always been a mystery to us as he had a very unique sense of humour. Everyone of us has experienced his wicked cheek and insults given with a twinkle in his eye. Even on his 100th birthday, he managed to retain his sense of fun and his pride in his family. Last Saturday, the ancient mariner went peacefully in his sleep.
Rest in peace, Dad. You will be sorely missed.
Uncle James followed by reciting a small naval poem, subject to the rations of rum given to sailors... very fitting for Grandad. Then, he produced a small bottle of rum from within his coat and toasted his father. Aunt Sally also recited a poem, one of Grandad's favorites.
During the wake, we all raised a glass of Grandad's favorite cherry and drank, at 11:30am, as he would daily. A wonderful gesture.
I think myself lucky at least to be here for this occasion and my thoughts are with those family at home and I hope they know that I was thinking of them and being here for them.
He will be missed.
From here, happier times are due. I've enjoyed spending time with my Nan and my mother and I plan on taking a solitary road trip around the south of England over the next week or so, after my mother's departure home. Posts will follow.
