This book is dedicated in memory and as a tribute to my loving, funny and generous dad Jim Fraser who passed away during the Covid lockdown on the 7th December 2020 after enduring a 3 year battle with Interstitial Lung Disease and Myelodysplastic Syndrome (a form of blood cancer).

My dad was born on 29th April 1940 in Greenock Renfrewshire, Scotland.

Dad joined the RAF on the 5th May 1959 and was posted to RAF Episkopi in Cyprus.

June 1962 we returned to the UK  and my dad’s posting was at RAF Wittering where he worked as a Steward in the Officers Mess.
He undertook many VIP duties at Wittering and other camps on detachment.
Because of that his colleagues nicknamed him “The Royal Steward”
He had recollections amongst others of the Shah of Persia, princess Alexandra and Princess Margaret and kept telling us how petite Princess Margaret was.

After 12 years of service he left the RAF and settled in Stamford.  My parents  bought their own house and that’s where my dad died after having hospice at home palliative care.  He was solely cared for by my mum  for 3 years who was supported by a wonderful team of St. Barnabas nurses led by Cheryl Stow.
My mum said their presence and kindness was uplifting for both of them and for that she is very grateful and thankful.  She said the work they are doing is amazing.

It was Cheryl Stow and Dr Watt who got in touch with  the RAFBF and Grahame Spark used to come and take him out including his oxygen so he can have some normality to uplift his spirits.

Again my mum is grateful and thankful for all the emotional support the RAFBF has given to both of them and when my dad died they didn’t abandon her especially Alan who for the past few years had been picking her up every month and taking her to the IBCC for breakfast to meet the other RAF widows.

For a few months now Alan was unable to pick mum up due to other duties but her wonderful friend Birgit Scott stepped in and takes her now.
My mum is so grateful and thankful for that.

RAFA also stepped in and sent Steve Cox as a befriender.  The support and kindness that Steve has shown to my parents and still continues to support my mum is over and above of what was expected of him.
She is so grateful and thankful and she calls him her “second son”.

My mum is also grateful to her wonderful neighbours Di and Pete who drove them twice to Papworth for my dad to see the Specialist and stayed with them offering emotional support.

Valerie and Richard (RIP) have always been there for my mum and dad.  In fact it was Richard that despite the lockdown he put his mask on and checked my dad and told her that he died. My mum is very grateful and thankful.

Thanks and appreciation goes to Jackie and Dave who are so kind to my mum. Jackie texts my mum morning and night to greet her.

Another wonderful and kind friend is Norma who has always been there for my mum and dad offering practical and emotional help and mum says she is so grateful and thankful.

Another lovely friend is Veronica who came into mum’s life after dad died.  Despite their age difference they enjoy each other’s company and they have a lot of laughs and my mum is grateful and thankful.

My mum appreciates and extends her thanks to Stella my ex school teacher for her kindness in coming into our garden during my dad’s illness and sitting with her to keep her company. They see each other once a month as Stella gives my mum a lift to the U3A Sunday lunch in various places.

My mum is also very fond of Birgit and very grateful for all the help she had given her during my dad’s illness and she is still there for her.

Another lovely person that came into my mum’s life is Barbara who gives my mum a lift every week to the Art Centre for the jive which she greatly enjoys and she is so grateful and thankful.

A special thank you also goes to my ex wife Wendy for all her kindness in sending special hampers to my dad during his illness and still continues to spoil my mum despite my mum telling her although she appreciates it there is no need.

Finally I want to thank all the neighbours and friends that despite the Covid they did come to the door with cards and flowers for my mum when my dad died.

So sad that I couldn’t be there as Australia went into a lockdown and I wasn’t allowed to travel but grateful and thankful to you all lovely people for all the help and support you had given to my mum.

Son James, Grandson Alex and Mitch.