Brother George’s Cycling Poem
This is the first of George Ient’s poems from his little book of poems written many years ago. I hope you enjoy it, I certainly do as it speaks of endeavour, a bright future and of course the freedom of cycling!
This is the first of George Ient’s poems from his little book of poems written many years ago. I hope you enjoy it, I certainly do as it speaks of endeavour, a bright future and of course the freedom of cycling!
Unabridged
It is with great sadness that I write in remembrance of my dear older brother John who passed away peacefully on March 30, aged 85. John Ient, who was born in Malta on 2nd September 1934. He is much loved and will always be remembered. (see below for a link to tributes)
John had a successful long career as a soldier in the Royal Signals before his retirement as a Major Quartermaster, some years ago. Born in 1934 in Malta where our father was serving in the Royal Signals, the family soon moved back to England on a new Army posting and ultimately the family moved to Hong Kong where dad had been posted in 1938. With the war in the Far East
getting closer and closer mum and brothers John and George were firstly evacuated to the Philippines and then on to Australia where they spent the war. The family was separated from our dad from 1940 to 1945. In July 1945 mum and my brothers returned to England and by this time John was nearly 11 years old. When he was 15 he joined the Army Boys’ Service rising to the rank of Boy Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM).
After transferring to the regular army he joined the Royal Signals and his army service included postings to Egypt, NATO/SHAPE headquarters at Fontainebleau France, Germany Singapore and Northern Ireland. John finished his career as a Major Quartermaster and lived many happy years in Richmond, Yorkshire with his wife Dorothy, who sadly died a few years ago.
My condolences to his son Gary and his family who live at Northallerton. With a heavy heart and fond memories from many decades ago,
John’s brother, Victor Ient
Click on the images below to go to specific tributes:
Last month George and I made our last journey together….. up to Aldershot crematorium from Portsmouth. I know this sounds a bit crazy since George’s funeral was in March but I had agreed that rather than have his ashes buried at the crematorium at Porchester, I would take them to Aldershot for them to be placed next to our mum and dad.
George was born in Aldershot in 1937. After dad’s army posting to Hong Kong, mum and brothers George, Tommy & John joined him there in 1938.
In July 1940 mum and my brothers were evacuated to Australia where they spent the rest of WWII. Finally they returned to Britain in 1945 and following a brief spell staying with relations in South Wales and with Granny in Hounslow, Middlesex, George returned to Aldershot as an eight-year-old.
through those beautiful Surrey Hills, including Crooksbury Hill, which was the first place he took me on these explorations. Earlier this month, George and I went on that journey to his final resting place at Aldershot crematorium, just a few hundred yards from our home in Gloucester Road.
It is my sad duty to inform you that my brother George passed away last week. The family, friends and I will miss him very much. Right now however I would like to share with you some photos in memory of him and give you details of the funeral:
The funeral will take place at 11.15am, 29th March at: Portchester Crematorium, Upper Cornaway Lane, Portchester, Hampshire. PO16 8NE. 01329 822533. In addition you may visit the chapel of rest at the funeral directors’ premises. You must call them first to let them know you are coming: Lee Fletcher Funeral Services, 95 High St, Portsmouth PO6 3AZ tel: 023 9238 4455 Floral tributes should be sent to Lee Fletcher on the day For those that want to make donations rather than floral tributes please donate to the charity WaterAid which George supported. There will be a reception after the funeral. Please let me know (vic@ient.org.uk) if you would like to come. Or tel: 01273 251964
Here is a link to the photo album (I hope to add more as time goes by):
Vic Ient 