Special Edition: RIP

Edition 15

Good morning Negative Soundbyters. It is a somewhat sombre day today as it is Mrs H’s Dad’s funeral this afternoon.

I didn’t know Alan very well as he suffered an injury that left him incapacitated just after I came into Mrs H’s life, but from what his family have said about him, he was a proud soldier who served his country with distinction, but also managed to keep two daughters on the straight-and-narrow. No mean feat if you know Kellie and Katie

I was also able to get a peek into his life as a soldier when Katie produced some photographs from his past. Whenever a soldier falls in conflict a picture is posted in the newspaper or online, you give it a cursory glance, you might feel a snippet of sorrow, and then you move on to the next article. But because it was Kellie’s Dad I took a closer look as if I might get to know him a bit better from these polaroid moments.

A man with a strong gaze stared back at me; but also with a glint of mischief. There is a classic picture of him atop a jungle hilltop with two of his fellow servicemen; all three dressed in weathered combat shorts, no shirts on, the one brandishing an automatic rifle smiling belligerently at the camera as if nothing could ever defeat them.

Alan served in some scary places; but there is a seriousness about the way he holds himself in those environments that would have instilled an absolute confidence in those he led and those that relied on him to “get the job done”.

Interspersed with those pictures, are those of Alan and his family – and two bundles of joy, Katie and Kellie! The photographs are playful, fun and warm; and there is no doubt that Alan’s personality forged the iron will that exists in both his daughters to this day!

Life “in-the-forces” (as Kellie describes it) was no picnic; her Dad was a way a lot on operations and that gap must have been hard to fill but there is no doubt that Alan is looking down on his family today with fatherly pride and love – and of course he will forever be in both their hearts!

RIP Sergeant Alan McGibbon

Big love to all his family, friends and those that served with him.

Hoddy

Pic of the Week:

While this is taken in France; it feels apt....