Harry Franklin, Dad, Grandad, Husband, Uncle, Father-in-law, Friend. A kind, loving, friendly man….
 
Dad was born in 1948 in Great Bookham Surrey. I don’t know much about his childhood, but I know he enjoyed the Scouts, with his brothers, and the youth club where he met Liz (Mum). It was meeting Mum that changed his mind about emigrating to Australia.
 
They got engaged on Dad’s 21st birthday, married a year later in 1970 and moved to their first house in Guildford.
 
Dad started work as a qualified Electrician. After a year of travelling to and from Fetcham without a car, he took a job in Guildford as a Milkman in 1971. Dad used to tell us tales about his milkman job, that one time when it was snowing really badly, he got his float stuck and had to get some help from someone to deliver the milk. Apparently, this man was Eric Clapton.
 
After 5 years of marriage I was born, followed by Kevin 16 months later. Wanting us to have a good life, Dad took an extra job at the local petrol station to earn enough money to support the family.
I remember their first house in Exeter Place. As you know, Dad loved his gardening; a strong memory I have is the sound of the push-mower moving forwards and backwards, or the Flymo which Kevin always hid from, and the buzz of Dad’s hedge trimmers, all keeping the front lawn and privet hedge in pristine condition.
 
And I have fond memories sitting alongside him in his electric milk float (just like the various Dogs did), amazed at how he could hold a pint of milk between every finger. He even bought Kevin his own mini ride along milk float, which he would ride up and down the path outside the house. I wish I had some pictures to show you of him as a milkman, but sadly I have none.
 
Dad was 32 when we moved to Fairlands, Worplesdon, Kevin and I were still only small and the house needed work doing, but both mum and dad spent the time doing both house and garden to make it a lovely home. I recall him nicking the metal bits out of my Meccano set to hold the new kitchen together. He would have a go at anything would Dad, except plumbing. He put a shower in once and it immediately leaked through the kitchen ceiling after we all used it for the first time, so he swore off plumbing from then on saying he was an electrician, water and electrics don’t mix!
 
They joined the local community association on Fairlands. He loved being involved in the many activities there and made many lifelong friends. He was actively involved in various committees and the fundraising events for the School and local community; such as Races, BBQs, Fish-the-bottle, Tombola to name but a few – we all had a great time. I recall all of them: my favourite was us all blowing about a hundred balloons up at home and then struggling to get them in the car for the “Guess the number of balloons in the car”.
 
As a family we entered into many of the categories at the Horticultural and Craft show, winning the Family Shield 3 years in a row. Dad had great fun growing and entering his prized vegetables into the competitions. The local community association gave a lot of pleasure to Dad and I love to think he gave much joy in return. He learned to paint with oils, eat cheese with wine and trained our dog Gill, all in the Hall there. He also ran the bar at the club for a number of years and loved to dress up in fancy dress for the New Year’s Eve parties and as Santa Claus for the various children’s Christmas Parties held in the hall. His best fancy dress costume by far and I am sure you will agree just imagining this – was Henry VIII.
 
At about 35 he slipped a disc, which meant he could no longer work as a Milkman. He had various jobs over the years: I particularly enjoyed his time doing chauffeuring & maintenance for an architect’s firm, which was great for us as kids as we had no end of pens, pencils, rubbers and tracing paper. He also picked me up from school in a Silver Jaguar Sovereign one day instead of the usual Toyota Corolla. I’d never seen it before - that was brilliant.
 
Another job he enjoyed was managing the bar at The Good Intent pub in Puttenham, and proud to have it in the CAMRA Good Pub guide. I remember helping him flush the pipes through and him telling me how important it was to do it properly. That was always Dad’s thing… do a proper job. Taught to him by Grandpop and something he instilled in me too.
 
He then got a job as a security guard, which often involved working nights for a time. Although he found this to be rather solitary, he liked the fact he could spend the daytime in his garden. Dad was that jolly security guard that greeted people as they arrived and left the buildings. We know he was appreciated. Through ill health he retired early in 2006.
 
In 1995, after 25 years of marriage, Mum and Dad went their separate ways.
 
He married the lovely Sally in 1999 when he was 51 and shortly after became a Grandad to his first-born grandchild Andrew. They made a great pair did “Nanny Sally and Grandad Harry”. He was a fun and wonderful grandad with an amazing sense of humour. Always making them laugh by being silly, telling jokes, pulling faces and loving them dearly.
 
It is lovely to see so many friends and family here. Thank you. Some of you knew Dad in his early years and some of you have got to know him more recently. The one thing I’m sure we would all agree on is, we’ve never seen Dad without a suntan. Dad loved the sunshine and he always made the most of the garden. Hence today we’re wearing shorts and his last request being laid to rest here in a natural sunny spot and not under a tree in the shade. Whenever I think back to my childhood and the fond memories since, I always think of the many sunny beach holidays, as well as frequent trips to the seaside where he taught Kevin and I to swim in the sea. He taught me the importance of DIY, how to fix and maintain things (usually fixing the things of his that I broke or damaged and blamed Kevin for!).  He taught me to work hard, always try your best and how rewarding it is to achieve something for yourself.
 
He was a good natured, loving man, always willing to help others and a good friend to many.
He will be greatly missed. Love you Dad.