Our brother Alan Clack was born in our nan's house in Fitzalan Street, Lambeth, London on 12th December 1954 It was a joyous occasion all the more as it was Christmas time and the medical students arrived at the house in festive mood, dressed in seasonal clothes, waving and laughing with heads out of the sunroof of an old car. This was to map Al's life for the future, always surrounded by friends, popular with his peers and anybody that knew him. Mum and Dad, already blessed with two daughters, Sandra and Pauline were now blessed with a baby boy. From the start, Al was doted on by all and we remember with fondness those happy mealtimes in the family when Al's peas, after leaving his plate, bypassed his mouth and went straight to the floor causing us all to giggle. This carried on in his growing years, whenever he wanted 'sugar bread' (bread and butter dipped in sugar) it always went straight to the floor, sugar side down. Fitzalan street was in a good neighbourhood and in those days, we as children always played outside in the street, riding our bikes and scooters, playing games, sometimes very noisy, to the annoyance of some neighbours. It was our job as his older sisters to protect Al from local bullies until the day came when he was bigger and stronger than us girls and then he protected us. It is a testament to Al that friendships made in those days lasted throughout his lifetime. Two of these friends, Micky and Billy would whole-heartedly agree. School was Walnut Tree Walk for all the local children, just across the road from nan's house and lunchtime would be spent at nan's being fed our favorite childhood foods. We were never short of holidays in the summer, All Hallows at grandad's (mum's dad) caravan and Sea Salter with nan and uncle Fred. It makes us laugh to think of us all walking in two's along the sea wall. Al at the front with uncle Fred and the torch leading the way home to our gas lit caravan. As was common in those days, Al went off to Beaufoy (all boys) school and us girls to our separate girls schools. Popular at school, he played lots of sport, especially football and the enjoyment of sport stayed with him all his life. He continued to play football, joining various clubs including Battersea, where he made a lifelong friend of Roger and many others. Many a Sunday was spent at the sports club with Al and his friends trying to beat them at squash. He was an avid supporter of Millwall Football Club, something that he inherited from our father along with many DIY skills that held him in good stead for later years. It was traumatic for us all, especially Al, to lose his dad at 18 years of age but he took on the roll of head of the family looking after mum with great gusto. When San and her son Lee moved back in with mum for a while, Al happily took on the roll of big brother to Lee. Al's working life was full of variety. He started at Lloyds in the print where he quickly became social organizer for all events. He met Steve who was to become his sister Pauline's partner. Steve recalls: "Al said, don't date my sister, you can't afford her." This was the start of a great friendship and his words are still ringing in our ears. Steve would like to add that there has been many a riotous outing with "the boys," many to sporting occasions and usually involving plenty of liquid refreshment, hence the words that we all know and love "One for the road? It would be rude not to." Al married and although the marriage did not last, he had a beautiful daughter Sarah. He had the pleasure of walking her down the aisle on her wedding day to Dan, a day that must have been one of the proudest moments of his life. Penny continues the story. We love you and miss you Al and one day we will all meet again. Love forever Sandra and Pauline xxxxx