In memoriam - Jack Linse

My great uncle Jack died on Saturday evening, the 5 July 2003. He had been in hospital again for just over four weeks. Despite a course of chemotherapy last year followed by radiotherapy earlier this year, some cancerous particles were swimming about and took root. One of the first entries in this blog was about Jack's experiences as a prisoner in a Nazi labour camp and his escape. He went on to be a sargent in the US Army, in which he fought in the liberation of Europe, and then he found himself in the Dutch army where he was posted to the Far East. Eventually he settled in Britain with my great aunt Grace whom he had already married and became naturalised. Jack would have been 79 next month, and they were married for 57 years, pretty impressive. Jack was always good to me and my brothers, as he was to my mother and uncle Colin. Our relationship with Jack and Grace was closer to a grandparent relationship than a great uncle and aunt relationship.

I went up to Brentwood on Sunday morning, coming back Monday night. My mother was there already, and together we got the paperwork from Oldchurch hospital and the Registry office. I learnt that Jack's name was actually Jacobus Bernardus Linse. Grace told me that she only found out when they got married and Jack had to sign his full name; he didn't like the name and always used Jack. I quite like it myself, but then I have odd tastes sometimes.

Grace seemed OK. Upset but OK. Mother will be staying there until the funeral. Not sure when that'll be, mother's going to the funeral director today. How she'll cope when mother's gone back to Liskeard I don't know. I hope she doesn't turn out to be one of those people who follow on soon after their spouse.

Grant unto him eternal rest O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.