As I grew up I don't remember Robin, not as a child. He was a few years older than me. The son of my Uncle Harold and Auntie Nellie. They lived in the same village as I did but I hardly knew them. My parents were not the visiting kind and although I would see Harold at Christmas and other times when he would come to our house. I really don't know why my parents were like that my cousins would have been great companions. Close enough to visit, I guess I blame my Mum for that because Dad was very social and I am sure he saw his brothers often enough in the pubs around the village.
My son Justin had the same cheeky look as Robin when he was young.
.I wish I had a picture to compare them, maybe this one?
Anyway, the cousins all went to Bottom School on the green and I went to Top school the other end of the village and so there was no contact there. I do remember a couple of occasions that we went down to Woodlands Ave to visit Nellie, once when Mum bought our poodle pup Poppett from one of their neighbours. I loved their house. Harold was like my Dad and loved his garden. They had French Doors that opened out onto a patio and it was very pleasant. A newer house than ours on Bidwell Hill, their outside toilet was under a porch, ours one had to run outside in all weathers to reach it. So theirs was much posher than ours. No spiders either.
Anyway, by that time Robin was away in the Navy. He has two sisters one a tad older than me and one a bit younger, we should have been great friends but alas it was not to be. I don't know why. Without parent encouragement it was hardly something I thought of at the time. The only people I really knew lived on Bidwell Hill. My circle was small, I was not outgoing at all. Very unsure and shy.
Later on after Robin got married he moved to Bidwell Hill with Mary his wife. He moved a few times until they ended up across the road from my Mum.
During Robin's days in the Navy he was a demolition expert, doing underwater work. I can't remember the stories but he did tell a little about it. Then later he became a chef.
When my Dad died he catered his funeral making wonderful cakes and desserts. He was so busy with that and I will always remember him for his cheerful personality, twinkling eyes and his silly giggle. Later on when we were on the internet he taught me about making bread and cakes that we enjoyed when we were growing up.
When my Mum was ill later on in her life he was always there for her. Living across the street he would see when her lights were on in the night, he would go over and keep her company. He was a kind and thoughtful man.
He was well named Robin, he reminded me of the lovely English Robin all perky, cheeky with bright eyes and attitude.
When we left England I remember him coming over to the cab as we were ready to go to the airport. A big bear hug and tears. I suppose I really did not see him a lot during my life but he was "there" always. Mum kept some fish for awhile. A tropical tank and when we were still living there before we left for the States he was over every day. Sorting the fish, bringing new ones, taking ones that needed some care. Mum just enjoyed the fish, he did all the work. When the Guppies had babies, they give birth to live babies not eggs, he set up a little nursery so they didn't get eaten and caught them all in a little net. That was fun.
Robin and Mary with Jo
He did not write to me very often, just now and then. I wrote to him but he hated to write letters. Apparently he did write often when he was in the Navy but I am pretty sure Nellie insisted on that haha.
Once Facebook arrived and he got the computer bug, well then it became a lot easier and we stayed in touch that way. He would send me pictures when he went fishing. A little Robin would accompany him sometimes and he sent pictures of that. We also shared a love of horses. For a time he kept a horse down at Grove Farm. My friend Margarets childhood home and where I spent so much time growing up.
He would go places and take pictures for me when I was doing my family history. He knew a lot more of family than I did too. His parents apparently had more contact with family than my parents did. He knew Granddad Burts sisters, they visited Nellie and Harold, I never met them. So sad. My Mum would have nothing to do with Granddad Burt she did not like him. That meant I never got to see him either. I did visit him at least once that I recall when he was in a nursing home. My Dad would go and I must have asked to go with him. The only one in the family that came to visit us every week was Auntie Annie, my Grandmother's sister. Everyone loved her. The next picture is with his Mum Nellie and Grandmother Jennie and Sister Janet
Robin naturally being older knew my Grandmother, my Dad's Mother. I was too young when she died to remember her. I try and try but have no memory of her. I remember the house very well though. St Omere. Robin and Janet spent a lot of time there after the war just as we did. I am sure Robin had lots of memories of that house, I know I do.
In his later years Robin was very active in the community of Houghton Regis, he served on the local council and he became Mayor. Who would have thought when we were young that our little village would some day have a Mayor. Let alone it would be my very worthy cousin. My Dad would have been very proud.
Recently he was awarded the "keys of the town" and I am so happy that they honoured him while he was still healthy enough to enjoy that. He is and was very respected in the community and he was also a very private person. He has two lovely daughters Joanne and Carole and loved his family very much. He was a family man that's for sure.
Robin with Sisters Janet and Brenda.
He will be missed by many and will especially be missed by his loving family. Not too many come along like him and the world will be less without him. Farewell Robin.
