Ern, CitroJim's Dad and Mentor

[CitroJim]

Today, my father, Ernest James, passed away after a very short illness just shy of his 93rd birthday...

A natural-born engineer and a veteran of World War II where he served in the RASC as a vehicle mechanic and despatch rider, dad taught me from a very young age all about cars, bikes, wirelesses, electrics and everything else that ran on petrol, paraffin, the mains or batteries. Not only did he teach me but he also instilled a deep love and passion for all these things.

Then one thing he did not do was introduce me to Citroens but he did set me off on my road to French car ownership when he bought an R5 in the late 70s to replace the last of his BMC vehicles... I then followed suit with an R4 and the die was cast...

Dad was the most wonderful father and was always a pillar of support and wise advice. I'll miss him terribly but will hold fond memories of him and be happy the last time I saw him just a couple of weeks ago, when I reversed Gabriel into a big rock, he was fit, well and happy.

The greatest thing of all that dad taught me was how to be a good father myself. I've always tried to parent by his example and think I've done a fair job of it so far...

He didn't suffer and slipped away peacefully...

I expect he is now up there in heaven spannering an Austin A35 somewhere; the first vehicle of his (of a great many!) I have a conscious memory of as a very small boy...

[Stickyfinger]

I knew his hearing came back for a reason Jim......he got you back just before he left.

Sorry mate, thinking about you and the girls.

[myglaren]

Terribly sorry to hear of your dad's passing Jim, he sounds to have been an exceptional person and father.
Commiserations to you and your daughters.

[superloopy]

Jim ... my thoughts are with you and your family as you know. Take care of everyone including yourself as your dad would have wanted.

Sent from my LG-D855 using Tapatalk

[NewcastleFalcon]

Today, my father, Ernest James, passed away after a very short illness just shy of his 93rd birthday...

The greatest thing of all that dad taught me was how to be a good father myself. I've always tried to parent by his example and think I've done a fair job of it so far...

I expect he is now up there in heaven spannering an Austin A35 somewhere; the first vehicle of his (of a great many!) I have a conscious memory of as a very small boy...

....... an Austin A35 was the first vehicle I was ever aware of. Dad had an A35 van when I was just a little lad.

He'd turned the van into a Traveller by putting rear windows in it. I believe in those days vans could be bought free of Purchase Tax (forerunner of VAT) whereas cars couldn't. It was a trivial job to convert the A35.

I never recall back seats in ours and I travelled on mum's lap as a baby and toddler... I can just remember that.

We then moved on to an Austin A40 Farina which did have back seats...

Your own words Jim, express my thoughts better than my own. There is no greater role in life than trying to do the best you can as a parent/person/friend.

Pic for your Dad



Regards Neil

[Hell Razor5543]

Jim, you and your daughters have my sympathy.

[xantia_v6]

Our condolences for you and the family. Hold on to the good memories.

Mike and Louise.

[Peter.N.]

Very sorry to hear that Jim but it seems that he lives on in you or at least a large part of him does. Please accept my condolences and pass them on to the rest of the family.

Peter

[CitroJim]

Thanks all..

Neil, that picture of the A35 could so easily have been Dad's, right down to the trafficators...

[JohnD]

My condolences to you and your family. May your many memories of your Dad help to sustain you at this difficult time.

[elma]

Here's to Ern, Jim's wonderful father. It's so sad to hear of his passing. What a great man to have given us Jim. Alan, Malcom and all the others we've lost are privileged to have him join them.

[CitroJim]

Here's to Ern, Jim's wonderful father. It's so sad to hear of his passing. What a great man to have given us Jim. Alan, Malcom and all the others we've lost are privileged to have him join them.

James, what utterly wonderful words That's moved me to tears....

[elma]

I shed a few writing them too and I'm usually quite unemotional. He'll be remembered fondly.

[Gibbo2286]

Thanks all..

Neil, that picture of the A35 could so easily have been Dad's, right down to the trafficators...

It's an A30 Jim and with that Birmingham reg it's entirely possible that I or one of my mates did the side window conversion, we did hundreds of them, a purchase tax avoidance dodge .
Sorry to hear about your dad and wish you well.

[ekjdm14]

Firstly and foremost my condolences to you, Jim, and your family.


But shouldn't this have a painted grille? I thought only A35 models had chrome?

It's an A30......