Douglas Bennett

The most wonderful memory mum has of dad is meeting him on the ship, P & O Arcadia on the way home to England from Australia, this was August 1960, 2 weeks later they got engaged. They were married on 31st March 1962 for 61 wonderful years. A year later they had twins, Diane & Douglas Jnr, then 3 years later Christine. Dad was very sporty (watching not playing) Charlton Athletic supporter since the age of 9. Loved having a flutter on the horses, which we all enjoyed too, having gone to Chepstow racecourse for dad's 80th birthday with all the family. He always wanted to go to royal ascot and the time we did go the Queen Mother was there, he loved the whole experience. We have so many wonderful memories with pops as children, fun times, going to Greenwich Park on Sundays, running under the tunnel, screaming, which we all thought was hilarious and Beckenham Place Park having a game of putting, leaving mum at home cooking the dinner for us all. Having bundles in mum and dad's bed at weekends and mum telling the 3 off us not to hurt dad, just amazing times, dad was a one off. One of the main reasons we want to create this tribute fund with Salvation Army in dad's memory is because he's mum was helped after the war in the early 50s when she desperately needed help, like many other families at the time needed help, the Salvation Army were there and dad never forgot that and always had a soft spot in he's heart for the Sally Army.