Arborfield Old Boys Association

AOBA

Arborfield Life

Michael was born in Carlisle where his father was stationed with the 11th Hussars. One of five brothers and sisters - Jacqueline, who sadly passed away last year, John, Elaine and Denise. He grew up with the army, travelling with his family to Malaysia, Aden, Germany, Ireland, until the family settled in Shropshire. Michael joined the army at 15 as an Apprentice at Arborfield, and after three years joined the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, serving in Northern Ireland, Germany and Canada.

Michael and I met first in 1982 when he was serving in Northern Ireland. We were both young and stupid, and it didn't really work out. In 1989 he was posted to London to be an Army Recruiter. He called me and asked “remember me?" One of the stupidest questions he ever asked me because, who could forget him? From that time we were together almost constantly and we married in 1998

There have been times during our life together when one or the other of us has needed the forgiveness of the other, and it has been given. We loved each other, and I knew I would be with him, as we promised at our wedding, until death. I never imagined that we would be parted so soon, with so many things still left to do and so many things still left to say. Wherever he is now, and in my heart, I know it isn't too far away from me, he's waiting because he knows I can't be with him yet....but I will be , one day. If anyone imagines death will keep us apart. They couldn't be more wrong. I love him, I will always love him and I just hope he knows how much.

Since he died, I have been amazed at the amount of cards, letters, emails and calls I've received. So many friends he knew in the Army, friends from his Army Apprentice Association, friends from the pub, friends he worked with… I've had messages from all over the world saying what a great bloke he was, how much he will be missed and how many happy memories people have of him. Many of them mentioned Michael's legendary sense of humour, and even through the tears of the last few weeks, there have been smiles and laughs as we've remembered a tall tale he told or a practical joke he'd pulled. In the time to come I know that all of us, my family, his family, all our friends, will smile when we remember.

Michael's last words to me were two simple words, words that he used every day. Knowing that this is not the end but merely a brief separation, I am going to use those same words to him.

Goodnight sweetheart."

Michael John Ivor Wherton

Eulogy 17/11/11