To be honest - perhaps too honest - My Uncle Phil was always my favourite uncle. Strange really, as he was probably less present in my life than one may think a favourite uncle would be; obviously through circumstance rather than choice.
One of my earliest memories ever was staying with Nana and Grandad in a camper van (I think in the New Forest?) to watch his passing out parade when he first joined the military. I was 4 years old! Following that, I only recall certain poignant moments of Phil's occasional visits during my childhood - during which I remember he always tried to reassure me that things would be ok, regardless of how I was feeling at the time.
When he was posted to the Falklands, I was terrified that I would lose him. I don't think that anyone else ever knew how scared I was about that. Because I never told anyone. Over the years, meeting briefly again during weddings and funerals (what most large families do!), Phil was always and again my best person in the room; my port of call; my rock in the chaos! I can't really explain it, but that's how it was. Phil will always be in my heart and always as my favourite uncle.
Love Danielle x
Thursday 15 October 2026
Danielle Andrew