William Arthur Wilkes

MY DAD

What can I say about my dad?

Well firstly he was always Known as Arthur to everyone.

As a kid my dad was not much of a dad compared to the other kid’s dads. He never played football or took me to matches, not that I liked football much. He never did anything or took me anywhere really, except to Barry Island now and again. He never nagged me to do school work or my homework.

But the one thing he did teach me by doing nothing is to respect privacy. He respected mine and I can’t complain. I have the qualifications I wanted and have worked in the jobs I wanted to do and I think I’m a better person for it.

He also taught me to keep my emotions hidden. To show them openly was a sign of weakness. I’m not too good at that – I lose my temper too quickly and get emotional at stupid things lately. Someone said this is part of grieving. Well time will tell.

A few weeks before Mom died someone special entered my life. They shared a few moments with dad and so dad shared a little of my joy and happiness which I was happy to give him.

I went to see him a few days before he died in Barry Hospital. He looked very weak and frail as you’d expect. I told him I’d got him a Paul Robeson CD and that I’d bring it in on Thursday to play for him. I never got the chance but for a few brief minutes, his face lit up and he smiled. He told me about when he had seen Paul Robeson in the streets of the welsh valleys singing. He was on the back of a truck because he was banned from performing in clubs and concert halls, and exiled from the US.

Dad’s mind was still there but his body had no strength left and it was a kindness that took him in the night. He may have been alone but the spirit of Mom and Billy were there. This I’m sure of. I want to thank the nurses and doctors who cared for dad while he was in their care, and I am sure he appreciated all their efforts.

One thing everyone will remember about dad is that he loved the Air Force and what it stood for. Every conversation included the RAF in some way.

He would say “When I was in the RAF I knew this guy” or
“I’ve been there; I’ve done this and done that”

You all know what I mean. He loved his time in the RAF. Dad’s life in the RAF had been a varied one. He traveled all over the world and has been to many mysterious countries and places, done things some of us only ever dream of and met many famous people although they weren’t famous then. He loved to talk about it and you could tell he was happy when he did. I’m sure he’ll be part of the Air Force where he’s gone. Playing his part as always from the shadows but an important part it will be.

There are some people who are unable to be with us today to remember my dad. His sisters and brothers have not been well themselves, and are unable to travel here today. But dad is in their thoughts and they send their love and best wishes to everyone. My sister Jean is out of the country and I am sure that wherever she is, at this moment she is giving thanks for the time she had with dad and remembering all the good times.
Regardless of where everyone who knew & loved dad is at this moment in time, we all loved him and dad will always be with us, in spirit.
I almost forgot. One member of the family who will really miss dad is Parka, my dog. He still looks towards dad’s bedroom door or checks his chair, as if to say “Where are you?”
He won’t forget you Dad!

I’m not sure what else I can say except that we’ll all miss you and your parting has hurt us all in different ways, some more deeply than others. But we all love you and wish you the best. Wherever you are, at least you’re free and well.

Take care and God bless dad and I hope you’re at peace and will be forever – love you now and always


PS. Aimi and Julie Real Miss you too and although Aimi was your Grand-daughter she'll always be your Little Angel and will always call you "DADDY"