Rafe (as his name was pronounced) was born on the 14th July 1933 in Fair Oak, where he grew up living with his mum and dad in Shorts Road.

Fair Oak in those days was just a village and he had an enjoyable childhood.
He used to help his parents planting and harvesting fruit and vegetables in their large garden, feed their chickens and collect the eggs (and try NOT to let them out of the chicken run - as he did at least once !! ).

He spoke of times riding around the village on his bike; in those days he recalled being able to freewheel from the top of Mortimers Lane all the way to Shorts Road.
He talked of taking his dog on walks, and playing in the big sand-pit next to his parents’ house, where he spent time with his mates jumping and sliding down the steep slopes - and doing what boys do !!

Rafe spoke of a time in the second world war of suddenly seeing German airplanes overhead the sand pit, and running into his parents’ air-raid shelter with them.

He enjoyed playing cricket for the Fair Oak Village Cricket team, He was a good bowler due to his height – at 6 foot 4 he bagged a fair few wickets !

After leaving school he went to Technical College in Southampton, then he started work as a Vehicle Builder and as a Draftsman in the drawing Office at the Eastleigh Railway Carriage works. It was here that he developed his lovely dry sense of humour.

Rafe did his National Service in the Air Force, and was based in Wiltshire and Somerset.
He told of riding his Royal Enfield motorcycle back home from the base, on one weekend’s leave --- During his journey the steering head and forks came away from the rest of the motorcycle - and he was nearly left with a bike in two halves !!
He managed to get a garage nearby to take it in, to weld it back together again – whilst he hitch hiked his way home.

He met Eileen at a dance in Eastleigh, and after courting RAFE and Eileen married on 7th July 1956, and honeymooned in Torquay.

Rafe and Eileen lived initially in Fair Oak in an Aunt’s house, they lived on the upstairs floor in just three rooms (…… but Martin said don’t tell the young people of today – they won’t believe you !! )

A couple of years later, in1959, they moved to Whalesmead Road, to a newly built House. Ever technically minded, Rafe decided he would do the design and drawings for the layout of the house, and he gave the drawings to the Builder to build it !

Rafe and Eileen became the proud parents of Martin in 1957 and Karen in 1959 – They lived happily in Whalesmead Road as a family for many years.

Martin recalls playing football in the back garden of the house and breaking a window. Karen recalls Rafe giving Martin a very vigorous telling off ! …………. on more than one occasion !

Karen and Martin remember as children Rafe teaching them both to swim, and to ice-slate. They recall many happy Sunday mornings with Rafe in Southampton Swimming or Ice-Skating.

Rafe would often be found at home in the garden, in the garage, or his shed, working on his latest project; -- he was a very accomplished carpenter and made cabinets for the kitchen, and furniture for their home.
Karen recalls being able to “help”, planeing pieces of wood and having a turn with chisels and saws !

Rafe still found time though, to take his family on outings; -- he and Eileen took many happy holidays and day trips around the UK with Martin and Karen.
Rafe would drive his precious Austin A50, or they would travel on trains.

Rafe was very caring and devoted to his family – he even took a part time job as a lecturer in the evenings at Eastleigh Technical College – To make some money to support his family.

In the early seventies Rafe and Eileen decided it would be good to have a French student to stay for the summer holidays. That led, over a couple of years, to two brothers from the French Alps staying with Rafe and Eileen.
The family of the French Boys invited Rafe and Eileen, Martin and Karen to travel to stay with their family in the foothills of the Alps — which led to several very happy holidays in France, staying with the family and elsewhere in B+Bs -- with Rafe driving all over France, and into Italy and Switzerland.

The family toured in a big Zephyr car loaded up to the gunnels with all their gear.
Eileen, Karen and Martin recall an occasion driving back through Paris when the back axle caught on a strange low French road-hump at some traffic lights, and the car would not move anymore !!
That led to an awfully big family adventure with the AA bringing the car back home, and a short stay in Paris seeing the sights -- before travelling home via ferry and train !!

Rafe and Eileen continued to travel quite a lot for their holidays after Martin and Karen left home – having many happy holidays with Rafe driving around France and the UK.
They holidayed in the Channel Islands a few times. They also flew to Malta for a holiday, and to the Canaries on several occasions.

Rafe worked for the railways for his entire career, in several jobs. He worked at Croydon for several years, travelling by train each day, before moving back to a job in Eastleigh in later years.

One of the jobs he enjoyed most was travelling up and down on special trains where as a technical officer he had to carry out experiments such as testing the stopping distance of new braking arrangements.
This got him out of the Office and he met many people, including lots of train drivers and made many good friends.

Rafe was well known in Eastleigh and around by many people who worked in the railway industry, he always spoke very fondly of the many good friendships he made through those years.

In 1987 Rafe and Eileen moved to a bungalow in Vespasian Way Chandlers Ford, where they enjoyed their lives and met many new friends and neighbours.

Rafe was able to retire slightly early in March 1994 and had more time to travel with Eileen; spend time in the garden, or just relaxing, usually reading. They would often visit their grandchildren, Rebecca and Katherine, or take them on outings; we hear Grandad was a bit of a soft touch if you wanted a treat !!

Rafe continued to enjoy watching Cricket, he and Eileen would often drive to Preshaw on the downs, to watch the local village team on summer afternoons.
He went with Martin, Mark, and others, a few times to the Hampshire Rosebowl Cricket Ground, to watch England play in one-day matches

In 2012 Rafe and Eileen moved to Eastleigh to the lovely new retirement apartments in Catherine Court. Here they met many new friends amongst the other residents and staff. They both enjoyed their time here immensely.

Rafe was very supportive to all his family and many friends – All his life he would never hesitate to do things for others; he would often help out family and friends and drive them around and out and about.

Rafe will always be fondly remembered as a wonderful, compassionate and loving Husband to Eileen; Father to Martin and Karen, Grandad to Rebecca and Katherine, and a good friend to many people who knew him well.

He was always very warm-hearted, caring and supportive to all his family and friends -- A true Gentleman.

Rafe will be remembered forever with great love and affection.