David Ernest Flower (5 Jun 1949 - 14 Jul 2026)

In Loving Memory of David Ernest Flower

5 June 1949 – 14 July 2026

David Ernest Flower was born in Burton Coggles on 5 June 1949, the son of Albert Ernest Flower and Florence Mary Flower (née Austin), and was one of seven children.

David grew up in a close family and experienced considerable hardship during his early years. He remained deeply fond of his parents, brothers and sisters throughout his life and often told stories of their childhood together.

At just 15 years old, David joined the Army in September 1964 and served in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, beginning a military career that would span almost 28 years. His service took him around the world, including Germany, Canada, Norway, Denmark, Northern Ireland and Belize.

David loved the Army with all his heart. His years of service gave him a lifetime of stories and memories – some of bitter cold, hunger and loneliness, particularly from his early years and training, others of the mischief that young soldiers inevitably found themselves getting into. But many were also stories of friendship, loyalty and the special comradeship that existed between the men who served alongside one another.

Joining the Army also brought David something very simple that had been beyond his reach as a child: his first pair of brand-new boots. Until then, he had always worn second-hand boots passed down from his older brother. Perhaps it is fitting, then, that throughout his life David took great pride in looking smart and his boots were always beautifully polished.

David was adventurous by nature and travelled and lived abroad at a time when doing so was far less common than it is today. It was while serving in Belize that he met the love of his life, Herminia, who was from Honduras. They married in 1982 and together had two children, Janice and David.

After retiring from the Army in 1992, David and his family moved to Honduras, Herminia's home country. He didn't simply live in Honduras; he embraced it as his home, sharing their way of life and becoming part of the community around him.

Following the devastation caused by Hurricane Mitch in 1998, the family eventually returned to England and settled in Nottingham, where David later worked as a car park attendant.

David was a keen runner and completed many marathons during his Army years. He loved football and was a loyal supporter of Aldershot Town Football Club. At home, he enjoyed starting his mornings with the newspaper crossword and loved watching cowboy films, particularly those starring John Wayne and Clint Eastwood.

David had a wonderful sense of humour and was always ready with something to say that would make you burst out laughing. He was kind, caring and immensely generous.

Above all, family was at the heart of David's life. He was a devoted husband, a wonderful father and father-in-law, and a proud and generous grandfather. He shared a warm and loving relationship with his children, Janice and David, and his son-in-law, Fernando, and adored his two granddaughters, Valentina and Olivia, whom he loved dearly. His love extended to Herminia’s family in Honduras and his wider family too. His parents, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews all held a special place in his heart and remained an important part of his life.

From humble beginnings in a small Lincolnshire village, David went on to live a full and adventurous life. He joined the Army at just 15, travelled and lived around the world, experienced different countries and cultures, found the love of his life and raised a family of his own.

He will be remembered for his kindness and generosity, his wonderful sense of humour, his stories, his adventurous spirit, his pride in the Army and, above all, his unwavering love and devotion to his family.

He will be deeply missed and forever loved.