David Harris (20 Aug 1932 - 9 Feb 2019)

In loving memory of David Harris who sadly passed away on 9th February 2019

David Harris was born on 20th August 1932,
Beloved husband to Shirley, Step-father to Kevin and Nicola, Glenn and Wendy.
Brother to Thomas, son to William and Irene and later step father Horace.
Dave was born in Morriston, Swansea but was premature weighing only a 1lb, he spent his early days sleeping in a draw as a makeshift cot. His Grandad stayed with him and kept him alive as he wasn’t expected to survive the night. Obviously even then he was a fighter and proved everyone wrong.

As a young boy Dave moved to Birmingham with his parents and brother. Was evacuated back to Wales during the war.

After his school years he was studying to hopefully go to medical school, but this was interrupted.

In 1950 Dave got his national service call up papers and spent two years in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps serving in Scotland and Germany and earning the rank of Corporal. He was asked to re-enlist and offered an Officers role which he declined as he had other plans. Dave hoped to continue his medical studies after his service but due to unforeseen problems this wasn’t possible.

He began working in the Birmingham Brass Foundry which he really enjoyed doing and did this for many years. He liked to socialise in various ways including bingo and ice skating. He was a keen cyclist and would regularly cycle from Birmingham to Burton to meet friends etc.

Dave bought his beloved Lambretta 150cc scooter brand new and joined the Burton Scooter Club in 1961. He rode and enjoyed this scooter for many years, and this included many day and weekend trips and even circuits of the Isle of Man. He was very insistent that he was a scooterist and not a Mod, which we would joke with him about.

This led onto his love of certain cars including various Cortina’s, the Morris 1800 and his beloved Standard Vanguard MK2 which he had for many years and ran until he gave it to his friend, later a Vauxhall Senator and finally his pride and joy the Toyota Avensis which Shirley was always proud to be seen in too.

Dave was a regular contributor to The Burton Engineering Society, he continued foundry work at Lloyd’s where he would see Shirley and would eventually meet her in the striking red coat at one of the Top Rank Bingo nights.

He then moved on to start his welding career at Cotton Engineering which then led on to Scomark engineering. He would work double shifts for a good while to be able to buy the bungalow in Barton where, with Shirley and Glenn, they started their long and happy life together.

He was a highly skilled and commended welder of stainless-steel pipes. It was whilst working for Cotton’s on one of the stainless-steel pipeline jobs when he suffered his life changing accident. Being initially told due to a hospital mix up that he’d got a sprain, but later it was revealed he had in fact got a crushed ankle, he underwent many operations which didn’t really help, and he was never free from pain. He had to rely on his crutches which often got him down.

He would finally retire from Scomark when his disability got too much to work with. He led a happy but troubled life with his disability and the many illnesses he would have to deal with. He would try not to let any of the health problems hold him back and would usually do his best but suffer afterwards.

Most people wouldn’t realise how much pain he was in because he would always put on a brave face as he was pleased to see them.

Dave always dreamt of one day moving back to the Welsh seaside with Shirley, but this never came to be. He carried on his love of machinery and especially aeroplanes, he treasured his birthday treat to Duxford to see Concorde and a flight on an old DeHavilland biplane.

He too, like Shirley, was always interested in what Kevin and Glenn were doing and look forward to the updates and photos they’d talk about or send. Dave looked forward to the visits from them as he and Shirley got more and more housebound in later life. Also, he looked forward to his weekly meeting with friend Jane and everyone close to him and Shirley. Thankful for the support Sandra, Colin and Linda gave to him and Shirley as well.

He was the most kind and gentle person you could meet and would always do anything, or put himself out, for anyone he’d meet. He’d enjoy telling you his many stories from his travels, interests or anything else as he was very knowledgable. Dave was well known by anyone fortunate to meet him for his comical nature and his joke making in whatever situation he happened to be in. There are lots of other sides to him and stories about his life that can’t all be mentioned here and I’m sure you’ll all have your own.

Since Shirley passed away at Christmas, he struggled to accept it and on top of all his other health problems suffered a broken heart too. He spent a long and happy life with Shirley, they were quite inseparable really, but they are back together now to continue the next part of their journey.
He was loved greatly and will be dearly missed by all.
Good night and God bless David.