Arthur Charles Ballard (27 Oct 1927 - 28 Mar 2020)

Sorry to hear of Arthur's passing I met him while working at pemberly house . He was a true gentleman and loved a sing a long and a dance.The life and soul of the party .Rest in peace x

Some of my memories of Grandad
-He was always partial to having cake in the Pemberley coffee area
-We visited him on Christmas day in Pemberley, my Dad said "it's Christmas day, Dad", Grandad replied "No it's not!"
-He was always up for a dance or sing song at family parties
-When I told him I was going to be studying Sociology at uni, he said that's something he would have liked to study had he not needed to go into work straight away (whether that's true or not, I don't know but it was sweet of him to say)

Some of my favourite memories with Grandad:
- when we were little, Grandad would give us mille-feuilles because he found watching us trying to eat them without getting cream all over our faces absolutely hilarious
- I brought Grandad an asian conical hat from my SE Asia backpacking trip to wear when he was in the garden, and he thought it was hilariously big.
- We would often talk about London things at family gatherings, and Grandad loved to tell me all about the dentist he visited... whose offices was located in a block full of brothels!
- Sammy and I drove Grandad to the Towers (possibly after we had just seen Grandma at hospital?). As the car was pretty low down, I asked Grandad if he needed a hand out. "Absolutely not!"
- Not only did Grandad notice that I was upset the first time I saw him in Pemberley, he was concerned and patted my arm.
- We sang along to the Do-Re-Mi song: me, Grandad, Ali & Dad. He smiled while we were singing.
- Sat in his room last April, I was telling him that I was about to move to Canada. He was listening and nodding, then just began giggling and pointed at his drawer marked 'socks.' He looked straight at me: "Look, they've got socks for SOCKS!" and began laughing, which set me off. When Ali asked us what we were laughing about, we began laughing even harder. It took a good 5 minutes to explain.

A proud honour to have grandads collection of toy cars and that I can share them with my son Austin when he grows up and can appreciate them. I also look forward to adding to the collect with Austin as we go to car shows.

Grandad and I would take trips together down to the local toy store to get new cars for his collection. His favourite were the days of yesteryears collection. And then when I was older I would buy them for grandad for Christmas gifts.

I shall always remember those times fondly as well as the sage advice he would give me on those trips.

RIP Uncle Arthur ❤️

RIP Uncle Arthur ❤️

Arthur is the most wonderful man I met , he was kind honest and considerate person I’ve met , we did laugh lots , one thing he always remember was my children and always asked how they were . We always sat and had a cuppa talking about the olden days and put the world to right which I always laughed about and still now and when June was about she always raised her eye , but one thing I knew he loved his family and friends very dearly and talked a lot about them . He will be sadly missed and I’m so sad I can’t be there to say my good byes but you will always be in my heart and never forgotten Arthur ❤️❤️love you Sam ❤️❤️

What can I say dad other than you were the best! You used to call me Tinky. You would come in from work and shout Tinky! Come and rub my neck' and then you sat in the archair and I would tickle the back of your neck until you felt relaxed. When your dementia was bad I used to tickle your neck, it calmed you then too. We would sit and hold hands and the love between us was incredible. When the dementia took over and you became agitated I would hold your hands look into your eyes and sing. It wouldn't even be a proper song 'why are you so cross Mr Ballard, look at me and smile' I would sing, and you would reply 'I don't know laalala' and it worked every time and soon you would be laughing again. I remember museums, and walks and castles! A great a wonderful childhood. I remember so many trips to town or a garden centre, usually for non essential things but you needed them NOW! Dad I would give anything for just one more pointless trip out with you, to hold your hands once more, to tickle the back of your neck and to tell you I love you. Always in my heart 💓 xx

So many happy memories, waiting for the Greenline bus in Streatham either to go out to the countryside or up to London for the day. Our picnics in our bags, if it was a country walk he often got us lost, it was always just over the next hill ! In London we walked for hours revisiting St Paul's, Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square etc etc . Sitting quietly waiting for him to finish his newspaper after work so that we could tell him about our day. His gardening tips when George & I 1st moved & knew nothing about the garden. Visits to stately homes , he always had a story about something there. Caravan holidays when again we walked for miles , mushrooming early in the morning to gather mushrooms for breakfast. Most of all his love of music , singing and his family including extended family & life in general. A huge hole in my heart but filled with love for all you have given us. Anne xxxxxx

In loving memory of the best dad, you certainly did it Your Way & we love for that Anne & George xxx

i met Arthur when I married his stepdaughter, Monica.Arthur, Fred Hughes and Trevor took me out for my bachelor night the night before my wedding. I thought I was quite a drinker but could not keep up. The problem was the 1st one finished with his pint would buy another round. i cannot remember how many pints I had in front of me by the end of the night. I was a little under the weather when I woke up so Arthur fixed me a "hair of the dog" Not sure if it helped.
Arthur and June would come to visit us in Norway, Singapore, USA, and Brazil. They were always a big hit with our friends. At night when others had retired we would sit around ans sort out all the worlds problems. Sorry to say the next day the would reappear. We would keep trying. We talked a lot of football I was a Liverpool supporter and he was not.
Arthur and June came to help us while we had our son, Terence. We were lost. They were the rocks we relied upon. I was there when Arthur won his 1st trophy. He was so happy. We would come through at least once a year to spend some time with them. They came to Brazil to helpm out when Monica got sick. It was such a comfort having them there sitting on the deck looking up at "The Guy on the Hill".
I shall miss our walks, talks and having a wee Dram. I have toasted you once Arthur. I shall do this again when i can be with the rest of the family! Love Always

From Cousins Eileen Carby and Maureen Hook.
Eileen and I do not have many memories of Arthur as he got older, but we do have memories of when he was younger.
I remember when he got married to Phyllis, I was only 6 years old and it was New Years Eve and very cold and as Arthur changed his religion the ceremony was 2 hours long and churches didn’t have very good heating systems in those days. Then we went on to a party at his Mum and Dads.
Eileen was only 6 months younger than Arthur And their Mums used to take them out in their prams together. She also remembers seeing him at dances at the Majestic Mitcham and the Swimming Baths Mitcham, Arthur was in his Army uniform.

Remember the days playing snooker in Croydon, sitting up all night watching Olympics, World Cup or other sports with our plates of sandwiches & flasks of tea & coffee. Maybe the odd beer or two as well. The big man with a wonderful soul & although he sadly was losing his mind he never lost that soul. RIP Arthur the best father in law , friend & gardening advisor I ever knew XX