Michael and I were so shocked and saddened to hear of Simon's death and would like to send all our love to Debbie ,Sarah,Peter and all the family.
It has taken a few days to process the news. and gather my thought .So here are a collection of random and eclectic memories of Simon through many years of our shared lives.
I first heard about Simon when Debbie and I were living in London just starting out on our careers .Debbie told me about this young policeman who was courting her in such a romantic way,roses on her car ,notes through the door and much more. Ned less to say his efforts worked and they got engaged.
On the night before the wedding in the hotel where many of the guests were staying ,Simon and "the Boys", decided to have an obstacle race underneath the dining room tables. During one of the races Simon cracked his head on a metal bar and ended up in Worthing A&E. To this day I have never forgotten the look on Debbie's face when she came down the aisle and caught sight of his skull! It must have been love
Simon went on to Royalty Protection and became the policeman assigned to Princess Margaret and there got a taste for the high life. We heard stories about the places and events he attended but always the gentleman never anything that would be detrimental to The Royal Family. During this time he and Debbie used to come and visit me and my first husband in Somerset. On one of the visits I went to the airing cupboard and saw a hand gun chained to the hot water boiler. Not something you see every day, so when I quizzed Simon , he told me it was the best place because nobody would find it and if they tried they would get scalded trying to remove said gun from the pipe. Simon always had a wicked sense of humour.
Simon was so very proud of the achievements of Sarah and Peter and delighted in being a Grand dad .
We saw a glimpse of Simon's feeling when during the father's speech at Sarah's wedding he welled up and was unable to speak for a few moments. We always knew he was a big softies underneath that Yorkshire hard man exterior.
Michael and I moved to France an Simon and Debbie became frequent visitors , I do believe that he like to come across and relax in rural France with Debbie's slightly "alternative" boarding school friend.
In fact he will be well remembered by our neighbour Yves , who was so impressed when I introduced Simon as General de Gendarmes de Londres. So much so that Simon had the rare honour of being invited by Yves to see his prize pigs. Debbie you will also remember the chicken , penknife and few glasses of aperitif incident.
The last time Simon and Debbie came to visit us in France was in October 2019 , when we spent a few relaxing days exploring our region. It was on this visit I discovered that Simon loved French onion soup Since that day whenever I make it I always think of Simon with a little smile.
Debbie and Simon were so hospitable and we made many visits to their beautiful home. On arrival Simon would always say on our first nigh "Ruby Murray tonight, Peta" , while plying us with the strongest G&Ts on the planet. He knew that a proper Indian take away was what we missed the most living in France.
So many memories of times spent together fill my mind and the two wonderful people who supported me through so many life events. Simon we miss you , your irreverent scene of humour , generosity, silly jokes and kindness .
Peta & Michael
Laudonnie
.
Michael and I were so shocked and saddened to hear of Simon's death and would like to send all our love to Debbie ,Sarah,Peter and all the family.
It has taken a few days to process the news. and gather my thought .So here are a collection of random and eclectic memories of Simon through many years of our shared lives.
I first heard about Simon when Debbie and I were living in London just starting out on our careers .Debbie told me about this young policeman who was courting her in such a romantic way,roses on her car ,notes through the door and much more. Ned less to say his efforts worked and they got engaged.
On the night before the wedding in the hotel where many of the guests were staying ,Simon and "the Boys", decided to have an obstacle race underneath the dining room tables. During one of the races Simon cracked his head on a metal bar and ended up in Worthing A&E. To this day I have never forgotten the look on Debbie's face when she came down the aisle and caught sight of his skull! It must have been love
Simon went on to Royalty Protection and became the policeman assigned to Princess Margaret and there got a taste for the high life. We heard stories about the places and events he attended but always the gentleman never anything that would be detrimental to The Royal Family. During this time he and Debbie used to come and visit me and my first husband in Somerset. On one of the visits I went to the airing cupboard and saw a hand gun chained to the hot water boiler. Not something you see every day, so when I quizzed Simon , he told me it was the best place because nobody would find it and if they tried they would get scalded trying to remove said gun from the pipe. Simon always had a wicked sense of humour.
Simon was so very proud of the achievements of Sarah and Peter and delighted in being a Grand dad .
We saw a glimpse of Simon's feeling when during the father's speech at Sarah's wedding he welled up and was unable to speak for a few moments. We always knew he was a big softies underneath that Yorkshire hard man exterior.
Michael and I moved to France an Simon and Debbie became frequent visitors , I do believe that he like to come across and relax in rural France with Debbie's slightly "alternative" boarding school friend.
In fact he will be well remembered by our neighbour Yves , who was so impressed when I introduced Simon as General de Gendarmes de Londres. So much so that Simon had the rare honour of being invited by Yves to see his prize pigs. Debbie you will also remember the chicken , penknife and few glasses of aperitif incident.
The last time Simon and Debbie came to visit us in France was in October 2019 , when we spent a few relaxing days exploring our region. It was on this visit I discovered that Simon loved French onion soup Since that day whenever I make it I always think of Simon with a little smile.
Debbie and Simon were so hospitable and we made many visits to their beautiful home. On arrival Simon would always say on our first nigh "Ruby Murray tonight, Peta" , while plying us with the strongest G&Ts on the planet. He knew that a proper Indian take away was what we missed the most living in France.
So many memories of times spent together fill my mind and the two wonderful people who supported me through so many life events. Simon we miss you , your irreverent scene of humour , generosity, silly jokes and kindness .
Peta & Michael
Laudonnie
.
