GEOFFREY ENSOR'S MEMORIAL SERVICE 10th April 2018,

Thank you for coming to celebrate my father's life with us. Just think Geoffrey was born two years after the Great War guns fell silent, and he died embracing the computer age and a proud owner of an Ipad mini.

Geoffrey taught his sons the importance of friendship. 50 years ago he put a notice up in New Zealand House in London asking if anyone would like to join us for Christmas. John Hayward a young New Zealander working in London, came to stay with us and really did become one of the family. When he married Jill their wedding party was held at our house. Happy days they were. As far as Christopher and I are concerned they are still family and I know that as we celebrate my father's life over here in the UK their thoughts will be with us too over in California where they now live.
(John and Jill celebrating their marriage at 56 Warwick Road).



Geoffrey fought a brave battle against old age but sadly age will always win in the end. Ironically last November he spent valuable time in the Herts and Essex rehab clinic. On my visits to this hospital to cheer myself up I would play a little game with my thoughts. When leaving the ward the corridor is lined with old photos of doctors, nurses and patients staying there at the end of the second war. Those photos featured nurse Olga Clayton who I know my father used to partner at tennis. I believe the gentleman she is pushing in the wheelchair later became her husband. This is where Geoffrey started his career and Warwick Road where our family lived is just round the corner.

As I enter the hospital parking area I watch out for a flashy sports car driven by Geoffrey who had been assigned to the sleepy little market town of Bishop's Stortford ..... the year 1946

In my thoughts Geoffrey drives into the carpark over reving the engine and with that cheeky mischievous smile. Mary joins him. They are laughing. I wave as they speed off out of the hospital grounds to a pub or a party.

My mother had just qualified as doctor in Aberbeen where she studied with my godfather Charles Taylor. Mary and Geoffrey had to fall in love. The photos tell it all. See below how beautiful she is and how proud I am of these two young medics.



Geoffrey had to sell the car to pay for the wedding.


Also in Herts and Essex Hospital two amazingly beautiful babies are born.....Christopher in 1948 and me, Oliver in 1951

ps Christopher always was the better batsman!

Photos above taken in garden of 54 Warwick Road. Later we moved next door to number 56 which backed onto the grounds
of the hospital.


Below: Kim the family Bedlington Terrier.

When I introduced Dylan the Fox Terrier to my father a big approving smile swept his face." At last you have done something right" he said. I think that those of you who hadn't seen the dog had been at least shown photos. It was soon apparent that the most popular member of the family had four legs.

Geoffrey wasn't quite as enthusiastic about our cats however.

FAMILY HOLIDAYS: In our childhood my brother and I were lucky to be taken by our parents on countless holidays in the UK and Europe. I think I realised then that this was a big privilege. Holidays abroad were not so much the done thing in the 60's. As we all grew older we were then taking Geoffrey on holidays. On several occasions he brought over members of the Bishops Stortford art society and through the U3A he he joined us on a history and also a gardens trip based in our chalet hotel in the Chamonix Valley.

As Geoffrey's mobility diminished we eventually concentrated on bringing him over to our villa in Estartit in north east Spain. Here the terrain was a lot easier.

Click on this link and scroll down to look at some of Geoffrey's holidays with us.

It was very sad day when I eventually had to agree with my brother that our father travelling abroad was no longer a sensible or safe option.

Elaine and I continued to bring the dog over to Geoffrey as often as we could. Tragically Geoffrey died just a few weeks before we could get Dylan over to the UK for a spring visit. He loved talking to Geoffrey on Facetime.

Geoffrey's long life was a big life and was also a meaningful and rewarding life thanks to all his friends. You are his friends and I am sure he would like me to say thanks to you for your friendship.

In his 80's he was still playing some golf in Spain.


At Windsor, Geoffrey trying out his new mobility scooter..... still
an excellent driver The year: 2006.


Almost every day now I imagine that flashy sports car driving off from the Herts and Essex parking area and I wave good bye. Tonight as the car pulls away I shall shout "thank you" to my parents.




FOOT NOTE: Below Francis Oliver Ensor, (Geoffrey's father) serving in the first world war. He is in the middle in front.

Francis, a Trinity pilot was lost at sea at the start of the second world war. Above right in 2005 Geoffrey visits the Trinity Pilots memorial at Tower Hill, London. His father's name is engraved on the monument.

Geoffrey's father Francis Oliver Ensor was one of 14 children born at Ardress House in County Armagh now owned and run by the Ulster National Trust.

(Click here for Ardress House on Trip Advisor

or https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ardress-house