Matthew
Matthew was one of 18 cousins produced by the sons and daughters of James Byers Young and his wife May. His father John was my mother’s youngest brother.He was one of the youngest cousins, while I was the 2nd oldest. There was a big age gap between us and our interaction was obviously limited by this.
One of the earliest memories of Matthew was arriving at their home, Downsview, for tea and seeing two smallish boys rolling down the front garden fiercely wrestling one another. John arrived and delivered clips round the ears. The fighting stopped. We went on into the house; the wrestling and rolling resumed. This was to be a major feature of most encounters with Matthew (and of course Richard – the leader in wrestling behaviour?)
They also visited us in Southampton. If my father spotted them arriving unexpectedly, he acted fast to clear displays and to put away breakables. The boys entered. In one leap they were walking along the sideboard and over chairs. They then threw themselves on the floor and started to wrestle ferociously.
Another time while staying at the house of an Aunt and Uncle in London they climbed onto the roof of the conservatory, equipping themselves with clods of earth and moss. The clods were lobbed at visitors sitting in the garden below enjoying relaxing in the sunshine - until the boys arrived!
Matt was quite a quiet little boy and I’m sure he would say he was lured into such naughty behaviour by his older, bigger brother, but he was certainly a willing participant and seemed to enjoy every minute.
Matthew, of course, grew up to be a lovely thoughtful, caring man, always striving to achieve his best. My last contact with him was at the end of a lunch, attended by many of the cousins. in Romsey a little while ago. Matt and I were talking about our recent illnesses/health hiccups and the fact that the next get together might be for…..a funeral! We both agreed that the best way to go was how my father went – cutting the grass one minute, gone the next. And so too Matthew –taken doing something he really enjoyed. But with us always.
Barbara Haines
Friday 31st December 2021
Matthew
Matthew was one of 18 cousins produced by the sons and daughters of James Byers Young and his wife May. His father John was my mother’s youngest brother.He was one of the youngest cousins, while I was the 2nd oldest. There was a big age gap between us and our interaction was obviously limited by this.
One of the earliest memories of Matthew was arriving at their home, Downsview, for tea and seeing two smallish boys rolling down the front garden fiercely wrestling one another. John arrived and delivered clips round the ears. The fighting stopped. We went on into the house; the wrestling and rolling resumed. This was to be a major feature of most encounters with Matthew (and of course Richard – the leader in wrestling behaviour?)
They also visited us in Southampton. If my father spotted them arriving unexpectedly, he acted fast to clear displays and to put away breakables. The boys entered. In one leap they were walking along the sideboard and over chairs. They then threw themselves on the floor and started to wrestle ferociously.
Another time while staying at the house of an Aunt and Uncle in London they climbed onto the roof of the conservatory, equipping themselves with clods of earth and moss. The clods were lobbed at visitors sitting in the garden below enjoying relaxing in the sunshine - until the boys arrived!
Matt was quite a quiet little boy and I’m sure he would say he was lured into such naughty behaviour by his older, bigger brother, but he was certainly a willing participant and seemed to enjoy every minute.
Matthew, of course, grew up to be a lovely thoughtful, caring man, always striving to achieve his best. My last contact with him was at the end of a lunch, attended by many of the cousins. in Romsey a little while ago. Matt and I were talking about our recent illnesses/health hiccups and the fact that the next get together might be for…..a funeral! We both agreed that the best way to go was how my father went – cutting the grass one minute, gone the next. And so too Matthew –taken doing something he really enjoyed. But with us always.
Barbara Haines
Friday 31st December 2021
