Oakwell Legend - Harold from Hoyland

Gally · Nov 29, 2023

Brilliant read

Baldrick · Nov 29, 2023

Turbotyke said: ↑

THAT'S MY DAD!!!!!
Dad has lived in Ward Green since 1976 when we left Elsecar where he had been the sub-postmaster at Hill Street Post Office. He still lives in the same bungalow and lives independently supported mostly by my sister and her husband and now I am retired some more by me; we all live in Ward Green. He enlisted at 18 in 1941 to join the RAF as he knew he would probably be called up and put in any old army setup. He tried to be a pilot but failed the assimilation exam, a pilot later told him that basic machine was more sensitive than than an actual plane, yes he went on to be a radio operator and in 1942 he waved off Grandma and Grandad from the mobilisation centre at Blackpool before getting on the train to Glasgow with the rest of the servicemen and women where he would embark on a troop ship to take him to the far east mostly India until demob in 1946. He has worked as a clerk most of his life for government departments and finally BMBC retiring in 1988. He has survived 3 heart attacks but a hard upbringing made him tough.
Dad and all his siblings( except eldest sister Mini who was a baby) were born on Longfields Crescent Hoyland, no NHS in them days or DWP to try and claim any benefits. A total of 9 children, Mini died tragically in a road traffic accident in 1946 it also nearly killed the 2nd eldest Iris but she lived to about 92 years. twins Eric and Alan died as infants they were born prematurely and only lasted a few months, Dad tells me that they the family cradled each one to say good bye before being taken away.
Dad once told me as little pre-school child he was taken by his Mum to the Catholic church to have soup and bread although they were protestants, i said how old were you? he said about 3; 1926 and the miners strike grandad was a striking miner therefore no money or food.
Earlier this year we had a surprise 100th birthday party for him (a week before the actual date) and it was the first time in ages all surviving siblings were together Dad 100, Mavis 96, Colin 89 and the baby John at 82. I also saw a cousin that I have not seen for around 40 years.
Credit to BFC when he renewed his legends suite ticket they let him have it for half price and before one of the games early on in the season they had everybody sing Happy Birthday to him before presenting him with a cake which he later had my sister cut up and brought most of it back to distribute to those people he has become friendly with in the Legends suite.
He actually worked on the turnstiles for a while until it got too cold for him and whenever I see Michael Spinks he always asks how Dad is because he was impressed with dad's work ethic and the methodical way he did the job. Dad stopped driving at 99 after he wrote his car off at Ward Green crossroads, he had just come back from the gym( yes you read it right) but had not taken notice of my sister and me to rest in the cafe and have a coffee and something to eat because he would not pay £2 for a coffee!!! I had to explain to him a few months later why he had blacked out, no food or drink since breakfast had left him dehydrated, low blood sugar and electrolyte imbalance! That was a long conversation!
View attachment 20590
Dad and his new best mate at Barnsley football club! Bruce has been very good to Dad ringing him when he was poorly in hospital and when he came home.
View attachment 20591
View attachment 20592
View attachment 20593
View attachment 20594
There you are I'll leave this post with Dad and the rest of the legends.
Click to expand...

That is a brilliant post, one of the best I've seen on here. What a star.

John Peachy · Nov 30, 2023

Turbotyke said: ↑

THAT'S MY DAD!!!!!
Dad has lived in Ward Green since 1976 when we left Elsecar where he had been the sub-postmaster at Hill Street Post Office. He still lives in the same bungalow and lives independently supported mostly by my sister and her husband and now I am retired some more by me; we all live in Ward Green. He enlisted at 18 in 1941 to join the RAF as he knew he would probably be called up and put in any old army setup. He tried to be a pilot but failed the assimilation exam, a pilot later told him that basic machine was more sensitive than than an actual plane, yes he went on to be a radio operator and in 1942 he waved off Grandma and Grandad from the mobilisation centre at Blackpool before getting on the train to Glasgow with the rest of the servicemen and women where he would embark on a troop ship to take him to the far east mostly India until demob in 1946. He has worked as a clerk most of his life for government departments and finally BMBC retiring in 1988. He has survived 3 heart attacks but a hard upbringing made him tough.
Dad and all his siblings( except eldest sister Mini who was a baby) were born on Longfields Crescent Hoyland, no NHS in them days or DWP to try and claim any benefits. A total of 9 children, Mini died tragically in a road traffic accident in 1946 it also nearly killed the 2nd eldest Iris but she lived to about 92 years. twins Eric and Alan died as infants they were born prematurely and only lasted a few months, Dad tells me that they the family cradled each one to say good bye before being taken away.
Dad once told me as little pre-school child he was taken by his Mum to the Catholic church to have soup and bread although they were protestants, i said how old were you? he said about 3; 1926 and the miners strike grandad was a striking miner therefore no money or food.
Earlier this year we had a surprise 100th birthday party for him (a week before the actual date) and it was the first time in ages all surviving siblings were together Dad 100, Mavis 96, Colin 89 and the baby John at 82. I also saw a cousin that I have not seen for around 40 years.
Credit to BFC when he renewed his legends suite ticket they let him have it for half price and before one of the games early on in the season they had everybody sing Happy Birthday to him before presenting him with a cake which he later had my sister cut up and brought most of it back to distribute to those people he has become friendly with in the Legends suite.
He actually worked on the turnstiles for a while until it got too cold for him and whenever I see Michael Spinks he always asks how Dad is because he was impressed with dad's work ethic and the methodical way he did the job. Dad stopped driving at 99 after he wrote his car off at Ward Green crossroads, he had just come back from the gym( yes you read it right) but had not taken notice of my sister and me to rest in the cafe and have a coffee and something to eat because he would not pay £2 for a coffee!!! I had to explain to him a few months later why he had blacked out, no food or drink since breakfast had left him dehydrated, low blood sugar and electrolyte imbalance! That was a long conversation!
View attachment 20590
Dad and his new best mate at Barnsley football club! Bruce has been very good to Dad ringing him when he was poorly in hospital and when he came home.
View attachment 20591
View attachment 20592
View attachment 20593
View attachment 20594
There you are I'll leave this post with Dad and the rest of the legends.
Click to expand...

You must be so proud of your Dad. What a guy, BFC legend.

lk311 · Nov 30, 2023

Turbotyke said: ↑

THAT'S MY DAD!!!!!
Dad has lived in Ward Green since 1976 when we left Elsecar where he had been the sub-postmaster at Hill Street Post Office. He still lives in the same bungalow and lives independently supported mostly by my sister and her husband and now I am retired some more by me; we all live in Ward Green. He enlisted at 18 in 1941 to join the RAF as he knew he would probably be called up and put in any old army setup. He tried to be a pilot but failed the assimilation exam, a pilot later told him that basic machine was more sensitive than than an actual plane, yes he went on to be a radio operator and in 1942 he waved off Grandma and Grandad from the mobilisation centre at Blackpool before getting on the train to Glasgow with the rest of the servicemen and women where he would embark on a troop ship to take him to the far east mostly India until demob in 1946. He has worked as a clerk most of his life for government departments and finally BMBC retiring in 1988. He has survived 3 heart attacks but a hard upbringing made him tough.
Dad and all his siblings( except eldest sister Mini who was a baby) were born on Longfields Crescent Hoyland, no NHS in them days or DWP to try and claim any benefits. A total of 9 children, Mini died tragically in a road traffic accident in 1946 it also nearly killed the 2nd eldest Iris but she lived to about 92 years. twins Eric and Alan died as infants they were born prematurely and only lasted a few months, Dad tells me that they the family cradled each one to say good bye before being taken away.
Dad once told me as little pre-school child he was taken by his Mum to the Catholic church to have soup and bread although they were protestants, i said how old were you? he said about 3; 1926 and the miners strike grandad was a striking miner therefore no money or food.
Earlier this year we had a surprise 100th birthday party for him (a week before the actual date) and it was the first time in ages all surviving siblings were together Dad 100, Mavis 96, Colin 89 and the baby John at 82. I also saw a cousin that I have not seen for around 40 years.
Credit to BFC when he renewed his legends suite ticket they let him have it for half price and before one of the games early on in the season they had everybody sing Happy Birthday to him before presenting him with a cake which he later had my sister cut up and brought most of it back to distribute to those people he has become friendly with in the Legends suite.
He actually worked on the turnstiles for a while until it got too cold for him and whenever I see Michael Spinks he always asks how Dad is because he was impressed with dad's work ethic and the methodical way he did the job. Dad stopped driving at 99 after he wrote his car off at Ward Green crossroads, he had just come back from the gym( yes you read it right) but had not taken notice of my sister and me to rest in the cafe and have a coffee and something to eat because he would not pay £2 for a coffee!!! I had to explain to him a few months later why he had blacked out, no food or drink since breakfast had left him dehydrated, low blood sugar and electrolyte imbalance! That was a long conversation!
View attachment 20590
Dad and his new best mate at Barnsley football club! Bruce has been very good to Dad ringing him when he was poorly in hospital and when he came home.
View attachment 20591
View attachment 20592
View attachment 20593
View attachment 20594
There you are I'll leave this post with Dad and the rest of the legends.
Click to expand...

Fantastic thread and addition. Can I ask how old is he in these pics?

Turbotyke · Nov 30, 2023

lk311 said: ↑

Fantastic thread and addition. Can I ask how old is he in these pics?
Click to expand...

These pictures were taken at the back end of last season,therefore he was99 at the time. I have just read the entire thread and posts to him,and he is a little embarrassed,he doesn't want the press to get hold of the story!

lk311 · Nov 30, 2023

Turbotyke said: ↑

These pictures were taken at the back end of last season,therefore he was99 at the time. I have just read the entire thread and posts to him,and he is a little embarrassed,he doesn't want the press to get hold of the story!
Click to expand...

Wow, he looks fantastic for 99

Voice of Reason · Dec 1, 2023

A great story.

Oakwell Legend - Harold from Hoyland

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Oakwell Legend - Harold from Hoyland

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