Reference
AU10/100/8/2
Title
Letter from Paddy McCausland in Heckington [Lincolnshire] to Andrew Underwood:
"Mick and I read your article in the Ampthill Church magazine "Round the Pump" with much appreciation and pleasure.
Thank you for your deep interest and affection nwhicj "came through" so well, when writing about an old friend Mr.Peer.
I knew that you were planning to write your own personal account of him, when we met at his funeral service, and how well you have accomplished it.
Mr.Suter sent us the magazine a few days ago - which was a most thoughtful gesture - but so like him.
I found it most fascinating to read of Mr.Peer's earlier history, for although he talked at length to both of us about his interests and early friendships, his courtship and marriage, we knew little of the things that you have written as to his background. When he came to stay with us here for two weeks each May month he especially enjoyed reminiscing about people and his personal life, so that we both felt that we had known him for many many years. After his wife died, we tried to give him the affection and friendship that he greatly needed, and I think that he trusted us implicitly and returned our affection.
I must tell you something that so well revealed his inner loyalty and staunchness of character, even although he was of a naturally timid disposition.
As a very young boy, he must have "signed the Pledge of total Abstinence", which he rigidly adhered to. When he was dying, Mr.Lane the Warden at The Cedars, gave him a tiny drop of brandy in some other liquid, but so soon as he tasted it, even in his dying condition, he spat it out at once! Mr.Lane was a little puzzled about it, when he mentioned it to us before we left Ampthill, but when we told him of Mr.Peer's boyhood's vow of total abstinence of spirits or wine, he could only marvel and respect such loyalty.
We miss our old friend, and are very conscious of the gap we feel since his passing.
Thank you again, Andrew, for your sincere tribute to a mutual friend, and a man of whom Ampthill can always be proud. Our regards to you and your parents".
Date free text
8 Sep 1971
Production date
From: 1971 To: 1971
Level of description
item