ROBERT Barltrop… We all knew him as Bob. He was a loving, generous, kind, and understanding man who had filled his life with his passions;- his wife Mary (our mother), sport (he had boxed to a very high level in his younger days without a defeat until

ROBERT Barltrop... We all knew him as Bob.

He was a loving, generous, kind, and understanding man who had filled his life with his passions;- his wife Mary (our mother), sport (he had boxed to a very high level in his younger days without a defeat until the 2nd world war stopped his progress), he had been a teacher, a cartoonist, a commercial artist, an antique seller (he had a shop in Walthamstow), a socialist and speaker (I recall spending many hours listening to him at speakers corner with a large attentive crowd), an author, a broadcaster (both on TV and radio) and for the last many years his main work had been writing and drawing historical articles for the Newham Recorder, drawing on his own life experiences which he loved to share with everyone. Added to this were the many talks he gave on various subjects, including Family History, Circus Life and Growing up Between the Wars.

He was a raconteur of the highest order and would hold court and talk in great detail about many subjects, holding the interest of those around intently.

His greatest asset as far as I and my mother and brothers are concerned was, in the midst of his work and research, the amount of time he had for his family. Whatever he was doing he would stop to spend time with us. He encouraged and guided us in our chosen areas of interest and work and always it seemed at times he knew more about what we were doing than we did.!

I will remember the time spent driving me around, up to London regularly from our Essex village and watching me play football, racing and drumming in bands and the love and dedication he had for everything he did, especially for us.

I always thought he would just go on forever and always be there for us. I never really thought his life would end and I do and will, miss him greatly for the rest of my life. For us, things will never be the same again and a large void has been created by his passing. I loved him more than words can say and I thank him for his lifelong devotion to his family, my mother, my brothers and his grandchildren of whom he was very proud.

He was a great man and will always be my inspiration. JON BARLTROP