Derek was the youngest of us three brothers, born in Wallasey, Wirral. We had a normal childhood if you consider growing up during World War II with German bombers passing overhead every night as quite normal.
He went to Wallasey Grammar School and then to Manchester University, the first in the family to do so, where he studied Geography and English Lit. He started in store management in Liverpool moving to Coventry, Swindon and finally London. This obviously didn't satisfy his desire to express himself and he soon turned to teaching gaining his diploma and starting a new career.
Derek could be quite controversial and there was never a dull moment when he was around. He eventually found someone who could challenge his views and harness that energy. Kip was also a teacher and would eventually marry him and they had a loving relationship with three lovely children living here in Hampton Hill.
We all kept in touch and had many great family get-togethers. Our families spent every Christmas together. Who could forget Derek's decision to celebrate Boxing Day - dragging us away from the cosy warm fire at home with leftover turkey sandwiches and watching old films - by having a barbeque half way across Surrey in the middle of nowhere, with balloons fixed in the bushes, party hats, music playing Christmas carols, drinking mulled wine and Kip's mum wrapped up in a sleeping bag to keep out the cold. Passers-by must have thought we were mad - but Derek was right because we always talk about those days and thanks to Derek we have lovely memories of great Christmases.
Unfortunately Kip became ill later and died when the children were all under 10yrs. Derek was broken but showed his great strength and character to bring them up with the help of the neighbours in Hampton Hill. As you can all see he did a terrific job of which I know he was so proud.
It was some time before he found the renewed love and support he needed in Jenny and soon married her. With the children having flown the nest, Derek and Jenny found pastures new in Ducklington, Oxfordshire. They carried out major renovations to a house and transformed this into a magnificent place to live. I almost expected this to feature in the next episode of TV's 'Grand Designs'.
However their ambitions were not yet complete and they wanted, I believe, another challenge. It took us all by surprise when they decided to move to France. They took their time and found a superb property complete with 15 acres in the Dordogne. Once more they completed extensive refurbishment and had their dream home.
Gladly Derek was able to enjoy achieving that ambition, sitting on the patio beside the pool sipping his glass of wine as the sun went down. I am so pleased that I was able to spend a few days with Derek in February this year and was able to share such a moment, just the two of us.
There was another ambition which he achieved and that was to have a novel published. It was hard work and he couldn't find an agent/publisher who would accept his work. He had to resort to the internet and eventually was able to find a publisher to print his novel. I believe two more followed and they make good reading. He also produced a number of short stories based on our father's life and persons in our community in Wallasey. They all show how adept he was to identify a person's character and his keen wit shines through.
Derek always had a point of view - never boring and full of love and consideration for us and our families. He was an inspiration to me in so many ways and I will miss him so much.
The last email he sent me a few weeks ago, when he knew he was being given palliative care ended with the question, "Will the sun ever shine again?" Well, he is now at peace and I believe in everlasting sunshine.
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