For our dad ........ Our dad was born in Liverpool in 1958. His Mother is Audrey Linder. He has a sister, Irene and brothers, Paul, Michael, John, Stuart and Andrew. He grew up in Irvine, Scotland and joined the armed forces at the age of 18. This became his career and he served for almost 25 years. He got married in and had 2 wonderful children, Neil in 1978 and Amanda in 1981. He was an outstanding father, friend & soulmate to his children, he was an amazing example of what a member of society should be like. He was law abiding and honest and decent, he was polite and kind and always had time for anyone. He was a worrier and often thrived on stress and I remember him telling me how much he loved to help others when he could, especially in his army days when he took the younger solidiers under his wing and invited them around for their christmas dinner and drinks just so they where not on their own. We moved around alot as children because of this which some might think was a nightmare way to live but because of his choice of career we have seen so many new towns, places, met so many new people, experienced so many things and been given so many opportunities in life that some just dont have. My memories of dad go on and on and I have so many i'd love to share with the people who meant so much to him and the people reading this tribute, my dad was more than a dad to me he was someone I could confide in, someone I could depend on, someone who would never let me down, someone who would always pick me up when I was down, a shoulder to cry on, as a child I was daddy's little girl he once said I could never go to boarding school because of that, I just wanted to be like my big brother, boarding school looked like fun at the time. I remember my dad used to work alot and always had loads of friends, our home was always busy or we where around at other peoples homes. Some of those special friends are friends of mine now. Dad was sometimes quiet strict but often he just liked a laugh and a joke and he often did what dads so and embrasses me, I used to really hate it when I was growing up but we'd laugh at it when we got back home, he loved it and I loved it really! I remember we used to go shopping to Tesco and he'd push the trolley and he'd be silly and shout out random things and do little jumps and hops and skips while pushing the trolley, people would stare at him like he was a complete nut job and i'd be begging him to stop but at the same time crying with laughter because it was so funny. As I grew up we would often go shopping together I really sensed that he liked me to approve his choice of clothes and pick fashionable things for him more so in the last 10 years of his life. I would always try and send him a trendy shirt or t-shirt for his birthday or christmas, i loved having a trendy dad. I knew I could trust his judgement when we went shopping together, often I'd ask him if he liked what I liked, often I really did not like his choice, i'd say "dad, please put it back" !!!!!!! "You cant wear that"!!!!!!!! I remember when he starting colouring his hair! I was mortified but actually when I saw it, it got the seal of approval! When dad moved to Sarajevo, Bosnia in about 1999/2000 he was a broken man he was so sad and lost in a foreign country where he did not speak the language, i really worried for him and his safety, we had to write to each other, internet and phone calls where non existant, the phone calls had a time delay on and it was so hard and emotional speaking to him, letters where best, I have so many in my memory box to read back on now. It was not long until he made friends and started to move on with his life once he knew what was happening back in the UK, he really turned a corner in Sarajevo he really did love it eventually. Neil & I where so lucky as we could visit and have great holidays there, we often drove down the coast in dad's jeep to Croatia, it was just like being a kid again packing the car up and off we go to the seaside, sometimes I could not bare to leave him to go home, but my life was back in the UK as much as he kept going on about how dead beat the UK is and how much I should try and travel and see the world, i tried so many times to tell him I just happy as things where, I think he realised eventually as he stopped mentioning it. Some of my fondest memories are from when we went to Sarajevo. He loved that city, the culture and the people. When I got married, dad walked me down the ailse and although I am not married anymore the fact that I have had that opportunity with my dad by my side I will be forever grateful, he did a great job that day, he made me proud to be my dad all over again, he looked so smart in his kilt alongside his son and family, I am so very thankful I have that memory and that he had that opportunity. I have the recording of the speech from that day and thats something that will stay close to my heart forever more - thankyou dad Dad you went onto support me through the hardest times in my life, you where always there for me, through thick and thin, you advised me, guided me and supported me, sadly you have missed out on your first grandchild but I am sure you watch over him and will forever guide him in his life, if he turns into anything like the man you where I will be very proud. I'll try so hard to be the best parent in the world like you where, my upbringing guides me on how to be a parent now dad. I am so thankful you are and will always be my dad. No one will ever replace you and no one will ever take my memories I am proud to call you my dad and every day since you left us hurts so much more than yesterday. I'd give anything to have one more hug from you, just to feel you close by and to hear your voice again, sometimes pictures and memories are not enough, we are approaching the 2nd anniversary and the pain and hurt is still so raw. Why does it happen to the good guys dad? Why did he have to take you. Dad I love you so so much forever and ever. Yours forever Amanda xxxx