I've
read your tribute a couple of times. There are lots of truly wonderful
sentiments and observations of Dad in there, but I disagree so
completely with the rest of it that I can't help you to submit it
anywhere. I'm appalled to see that you've put it online. What you've
implied about Mum is deeply deeply offensive. I have suggested before
that if you have doubts about your parentage you should settle them once
and for all by having the DNA tests. It wouldn't even need Dad's DNA -
comparison of yours with Don's and/or mine would be sufficient.
Meanwhile despite your cruel act I am obliged to
inform you that Dad's funeral will be on Thursday at 2.30pm at Le Pine
Funeral Parlour, 1048 Whitehorse Rd Box Hill. I'm sad to say I really
hope you don't come.
Wendy
On Thu, Aug 16, 2012 at 6:23 PM, Omaxa bin Eartha <maxadiff@yahoo.com.au> wrote:
Sent this to The Age, but phone credit stops my calling the Herald. perhaps you can do it?
Of course, being typically long, it may not be
published. "Death notices" attract a sizey fee. But "Obits" are
different, I was just told on phone by The Age telephonist. I hope the information in it is near enough to correct?
120816 Obituary To A Great Warrior -
ALLAN NICHOLS COOK-MEREDITH
20th March 1921 - 16th August 2012
It's always been
for others to write obituaries.
Today, it's my
turn.
Allan Nichols
Cook-Meredith, my Most Honorable Step-Father, passed over this
morning at 4.00am, “very peacefully” it's said, in the Doncaster
hospice he recently chose to see out his last days in.
After 91 years, He
is on his way, up and forever to His Blissful Heaven.
And, while it is
right and natural to grieve, and to weep tears, it is so, that this
kind of Man, is now Free, of the torments, deprivations and suffering
of the physical, human, earthly life.
So it is more
important that we, who mourn, remember Him, Allan Nichols
Cook-Meredith, for the Joy He selflessly gave us, and that He has
become freed at last from woe, and is allowed, unfettered, to Enjoy
The Bliss we all want, and go to extraordinary lengths to usually
fruitlessly find. He, has Bliss now. as He so Deserves.
Born Allan Nichols
Meredith, to Clarence Meredith and Adelaide Nichols on 20th March
1921, and after a rail accident in around 1924, which left his Father
Clarence Meredith less a leg, he was adopted by his Virtuous Mother's
loving husband to be, the Wise and Caring, Walter Cook, when she
remarried to Walter.
He spent time in
England with his mother prior to their settling back in Western
Australia with his Step-Father, where as a youth, Allan attended
Perth Modern school. Even then, his teachers noted his above
average Intellect and Talents.
Before he was 20
years old he enlisted with the Australian Infantry Forces, and served
in the Middle East, during the 2nd world war, and Greece, then also
served reputably back in Australia as a weapons instructor and other
military skills, joining the newly created 1st Australian Paratroop
Battalion, Australia's first paramilitary unit, in which he rose to
the rank of Staff Sergeant 2nd Class, (Sergeant Major) Royal
Australian Engineers.
He met his wife to
be, Adrienne Helen Willis, while still in service, back in Australia,
and courted her by, among his many other talents, taking her riding
on his Ariel Red Hunter 500cc motorcycle.
They shared
productive lives together and brought three children into the world,
Wendy Dianne, Donald Walter, and myself, Max Nichols.
A stern man, he
was also the most Honest person I have ever known, and with that
exuded a Nobility suited perfectly to his names, “Allan” which
means “Noble”, “Nichols”, his mother's maiden name, which
means “Victorious Peoples” and Meredith, which means “Great
Lord”. “Meredith”, the same, as the Tudor Kings of ancient
Wales and mid-2nd millennium England.
Allan Meredith was
also more Intelligent than most would be able to discern, simply
because he was as well, entirely Humble.
However, he was
never one to retreat from a fight, when he saw injustice or untruths
playing out.
As a consequence,
nary a day passed through his whole 91 years, when he was not at odds
with the tyranny of the day, of the times, and of the dominant cults
of our nation and world.
This often left
him with few friends, but those who knew and truly understood him,
remained his Comrades til the last.
The medals and
awards given him by the military, run far short of the Honours He
Truly Deserves, for his unending opposition to ignorance and tyranny.
Indeed, to myself
at least, He, Allan Nichols Meredith, was our, Australia's Greatest,
Most Noble, Most Virtuous Outlaw.
He taught me
Dignity, Honesty, Honor, Courage and a plethora of other Qualities
hard to find today, in any nation or people.
He also taught me
all the primary ingredients I know, prize and cherish in critical
thinking, REALpolitik discernment, and seeking after one's own
Intelligence, 1st and foremost.
When I'd bother
him with pesky questions, his response was most often, “THINK
MAN, THINK!”
I followed that advice and am never alone for it's benefits.
He also taught me
the essentials of writing, both with the hand, and with the mind.
And, He also taught me how to really ride motorcycles.
But as well, he guided me with Wisdom and Kindness for the portending
torrents of unknowns and frightening scenarios I was yet to face and
do battle with, and prepared me for a violent and debauched world,
instilling the Vital Virtues in me like no other could.
After a long, Noble and Most Honorable Life, fighting the wars few
are able, nor brave enough to engage in, nor Meritorious enough to
Stand True amongst 'til their last breath, as He did, Allan Nichols
Meredith Rests In Eternal Peace, and will be Remembered, and will be
Remembered, and will be Remembered, for more generations to come,
than any other.
I, could never be, indeed, no-one could ever be, The Great Man He
was, 'though those who knew Him, know, but for His Righteous
Humility, He could himself have been so much more.
Thank You Dad, for everything You gave!
All Praise Him, Allan Nichols Cook-Meredith.
My, indeed our, Most Noble Father.
See ya' on the other side Dad!
Your Son, lesser, Your Step-Son,
“Nick”
Max Nichols Cook-Meredith-O'Brien