Peter was the eldest of my two brothers.I really can not recall much about Peter until after the war.  Peter and Frank came home from Wales when the war was over. They were already home when Audrey and I came home from Somerset. After about two years of us all being home sadly Dad passed away,Peter being the only one working,he seemed to take on the father figure role to us all.  Peter had a long distance courtship with Dorothy and would write her a letter most days, well we all know that Peters spellings were non-existent so he would go upstairs to his friend Charlie to help him, after a while he got fed up going up to Charlie and began writing a letter leaving a gap for the words he couldn't spell but his spelling was non - existent, you can imagine he had more gaps than words .One by one he would ask Audrey and I to fill in the gaps but there were so many we could read every loving word he had written to Dorothy. 

Soon Peter got a job working away from home, quite often he always said that he came home to make sure we were all alright, he also always asked to see Audreys and my shoes if he thought we needed new ones he would leave mum some money to get us some. I really believe that Audrey and I could have run around Deptford and Greenwich naked and Peter wouldn't have worried as long as we had shoes on. We became a close family as we grew up, although Peter didn't live near the rest of us, he was always there when we needed help. I will always remember Mum complaining about Peters time keeping.A few months before Helen his daughter got married Mum bought him a pocket  watch and chain. I offered to wrap it up thinking it was a christmas present, Mum promptly said "Oh no, I will give this to him the day Helen gets married then he might, I repeat might, get Helen to church on time, and I mean GMT and not Peter Smith time!"             

Dennis and I spent many happy times with Peter and Dorothy in Weymouth. During our stay we would often have a day in Guernsey. On one trip, as with most trips, we bought more than our duty free allowance so Peter said to Denis "Drive through the Nothing To Declare area as it will be quicker." Well we did that and as you would expect the customs officer pulled us over. Peter ,with his silly face said "Sorry sir, we are so tired we didn't read the sign properly." Guess what? We got away with it! That man Peter, would get away with murder with that silly look.

In the past nine months or so we had some really special times with Peter and Dorothy. We had a good time at the rooftop restaurant with Jean, my children and grandchildren. When it was time to go home guess who kept us waiting in the car? Yes, you guessed it,  Peter!

Another  night we spent in the Shangri-la hotel in The Shard a great night to remember. The children looked after Dorothy pushing her around in her chair while Peter had a wander then before booking out Peter made sure he went in the infinity pool.                    That last time I was in Wokingham was late February, Peter was trying to make plans for his 90th birthday. Well love for the first time you let me down didn't you. You always said you would be around until 92yrs and beyond but that wasn't to be. I have been blessed to have had two exceptional brothers in my life and Peter you were one of them. My life has been enhanced by you Peter, thank you for being a great friend, a brilliant brother and to me a very special person. Until we meet again, rest in peace love

Maureen