I must begin by telling you that i am delivering this eulogy because Ted specifically asked me to.
Arthur Edward Doe.
“Uncle Ted”, “Ted”, these were the names by which most of us knew the man who was born into a poor but happy family on 20th November 1919 in the small village of Hoo, in Kent, not far from Rochester.
Ted was the youngest of 8 children, although one sister had died long before he was born at the terribly young age of just 2 ½ years.
Ted had 5 older sisters who, by all accounts, doted on their little brother.
The eldest sibling was the only other boy, Phil, whom ted looked up to throughout his life.
I am led to believe that ted had a very happy childhood living in a rural idyll, although I imagine that by today’s standards we would regard it as pretty basic.
Perhaps you will get an idea of the sort of young man he was from this testimonial, written by his headmaster at the council school in Hoo on 10th February 1934 when ted would have been 14, and probably about to leave school:-
“Edward Doe attended this school for 7 years. He was an intelligent, well-behaved boy and made good progress in his schoolwork.
He is interested in gardening and was in the school gardening class.
I think he will be a very useful lad in the garden”
That old headmaster seems a bit obsessed with gardening!
Ted told me many times how he had secured the promise of an apprenticeship with a local tradesman which he was very much looking forward to as he felt it would equip him with a proper trade for life.
However, his father had other ideas. Ted was imporatant to the family economyand his father had managed to secure him a post as “the boy” in the local butcher’s shop at 2s 6d per week more than he would earn in the apprenticeship, thus, at 14, Ted’s fate was sealed.
Ted always loved animals, not a great trait for a butcher’s boy!
One of his earliest tasks was to tend a lamb which had been delivered to the butcher for slaughter. Ted could not bear the thought of the lamb being killed and so let it free and endured the consequences for a long time afterwards.
His teenage years were apparently happy although pretty uneventful but ted was always anxious to try to better himself as can be witnessed by this testimonial from the principal of the Hoo evening school dated 25th January 1939 when tTed was still only 19:-
“Arthur Edward Doe has attended evening classes at Hoo evening school ever since leaving the elementary school.
He has been very painstaking, and has taken a great interest in and has done exceptionally well in general elementary science. His science notebooks have been a model of neatness and clear arrangements and he is very earnest and conscientious in all his work.
I have no hesitation in recommending him for any position where these qualities are in demand.”
Obviously Ted’s characteristics, which we all knew, were apparent from a young age!
Of course, not many months after that testimonial was written war was declared and everybody’s lives were turned upside down.
Ted was called up and joined the Hampshire regiment on 5th March 1940. He served with the Hampshires throughout the war until he was demobbed on 11th August 1946.
Ted always loved his regiment and indeed he is being committed to his final resting place today wearing his regimental tie.
Normally, he did not like to talk too much about his war time exploits which saw him serve all over the world but he did delight in telling one short story, although I am not entirely convinced of its veracity.
Shortly before D-Day, Ted was medically examined and found to be not A1 and therefore not to stay with his regiment for the d-day landings. He was devastated, particularly when he was re-assigned to a rag tag outfit of other “unfit” soldiers. Ironically the “unfit” group landed in normandy on D-Day + 1 whereas the Hampshires did not arrive until some time later, according to Ted.
The final testimonial i wish to lay before you is from his C.O., Colonel Quinn, written in 1946:-
“Pte. Doe i have known personally for 2 years during which time he has proved the most reliable, hardworking and trustworthy man i have ever met.
Smart, and popular with his fellow men he has determination far in excess of the average person and can accept responsibility.
Doe is a cheerful and conscientious man whom I would recommend for any position of trust or responsibility.”
After the war Ted began a career in the laboratories at the local oil refinery, pursuing his interest in science mentioned earlier.
Then in 1948 while on holiday with his cousin Geoffrey in Bournemouth, he met the girl of his dreams, Clare Halliwell who was on holiday with her sister.
I think it must have been love at first sight because, most unlike Ted, as he was approaching the end of his holiday, he arranged an extra week off plus accommodation etc. So as to be able to spend more time courting Clare. That would not have been an easy achievement in those austere post war days.
Anyway, love blossomed, and despite having only seen each other three more times they were married on 7th October 1950 in Eccles. They were virtually inseperable for the next 53 years until clare died on 3rd November 2003.
Sadly, they could never have children, something which they both bitterly regretted.
As all of you here will know, Ted was a very devout man for his whole life and I am delighted to think that according to his firmly held beliefs, Ted is now reunited with “his Clare”, as he always referred to her, for all eternity.
You will be delighted to know that I am now approaching the end.
Marilyn Hinchcliffe is going to say a few words shortly, but before I go I must take this opportunity to say on behalf of the whole family how deeply grateful we are to all Ted’s neighbours and friends who did so much for him, especially since Clare passed away; thank you very much indeed.
And one final thought which I hope will not cause any offence to anyone.
Ted was not always an easy man, but he was always a character.
Thank you for coming and thank you for listening.
