I arrived that afernoon at the Hospital and met Rowie there, we saw Dad at once, he was unconcious and was suffering from Cerebral Haemorrhage. Mother arrived and we all went once again to see him but there was nothing we could do by staying, so we left, arranging to return later. Dad died without regaining consciousness, he had had his wish, it had been quick, Mother had been spared more nursing and Dad could not have suffered at all. In view of the circumstances of his death the coroner ordered a post-mortem examination which confirmed the diagnosis. A few days later, he was transferred to a little chapel in Staines prior to his cremation at Woking the following day. That evening I stayed with him for thirty minutes, he was lying in his coffin in front of the altar which was lit by clusters of candles, there were flowers all around and Dad looked very peaceful with a sort of quizzical half smile on his face. I only wished the others could have seen him because he looked so contented and just as if he was asleep.
The following day he was cremated at Woking. Rowie and I attended the cremation and Doris stayed with Mother at my home at Staines. A few days later we went over to Chiswick Old Cemetery and his Ashes were interred in the grave with his father and with Francis.
Dad's last Will was made on the 10th April, 1947, a month before he died, he made these bequests:-
To my son Henry and my daughter Doris £100 each. To my son Rowland who spent six years at a critical period of his life in the army during the late war and may also have suffered some disadvantages when younger £500. To each of my grand-children living at my death £10. To each of my nieces Mary and Leicester Wilson, children of my late dear sister £15.
The remainder of his property was left to Mother who was sole executrix of the Will.
Mother and Doris stayed with us for a week or two at Staines before returning to Chiswick.
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Copyright © Anthony Hickson
