Remembering A Friend

[10ClarionSt]

On February 4th 1974, a bomb exploded onboard a coach carrying service personnel, near Hartshead Moor Services on the M62 in West Yorkshire. One of those killed was Stephen Whalley of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. His grave is in Middleton Cemetery, quite near here. It was noted recently by the Rochdale Veterans Association, that Stephens grave was being tended to regularly, and as they were holding a memorial on Feb. 4th at Hartshead, they wanted to find out who this person was, as he/she might be interested in attending. Well, I can tell you folks that that person was my brother-in-law. Stephen and him were best mates and had known each other from nursery school. My BIL was absolutely devastated when this happened and it took him months to get over it. My wife was upset too, as she knew Stephen quite well. Ever since that sad event, my BIL goes to Stephens' grave every month and cleans the headstone and leaves a floral tribute. Stephens' mother is buried next to him and my BIL does the same for her grave. 45 years on, my BIL still remembers his friend with so much care.

[murraymints]

how lovely..bittersweet memories... friendship of the true type never dies...RIP Stephen x

[Mamyalynne]

True friendship never dies.x

[marval]

What a lovely thing for your BIL to do. We always remember the special ones.

[hereIam]

Very moving 10C and what a wonderful thing for your BIL to do.

[Peter Pedant]

God how awful Clarion
my thoughts are with your brother in law

Did they find out who did it in the end - Judith X and the others were found to have been wrongly convicted - judicially another blush-making episode of the seventies ....

[10ClarionSt]

Not as far as I am aware, PP. I don't think they ever will. It was an act of terrorism that they can't solve. Thank you for the replies. I didn't know Stephen, as I had only recently met my future wife but after that I saw what it did to his family. And my BIL. Sad.

[Baldric]

Well done your BIL.

[LadyCG]

I had a lump in my throat reading that.

[MallyJ]

The unsung heros of our society....your brother in law is obviously a member of that group. Love shows itself in so many different ways. Now I have to find the tissues whilst wanting to shake that mans hand x

[Patsy33]

What a wonderful heart felt story. A real true friend. He will carry him in his heart right to the end, I'm sure.