|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Eric McFarlane was born
in Jamaica
on the 18th May 1925, and he died on 25th of June 2008 after
a period of ill-health. As a young child, he was separated from his
parents and subsequently grew up firstly in the Maxwell Park Children’s
Home before being transferred to Alpha Boys’ School where he was
visited frequently by an Aunt.
|
|
|
|
|
Alpha Boys' School had
some 400 boys at any one time. There was also a corresponding home for
girls. Being an "industrial" or vocational school, the pupils
were able to learn a variety of skills or trades. The school excelled
in producing world renowned jazz and popular musicians and entertainers
(e.g. Don Drummond, Leslie “Jiver” Hutchison,
Leslie Thompson, Owen Grey, etc.) that continue to influence the world
of music. There Eric learned to play the B-flat Baritone as well as
doing book-binding within the printing trade.
|
|
|
|
|
However, it was the
military life that Eric found attractive, having been an active
"King's Scout Trope" under the well-known direction of
another veteran, Mr Carl Preston. At the age of 19 Eric joined the
British Air Force, having past the required recruiting tests with
flying colours. He was then a passenger on the famous “Empire Windrush” that brought the early Caribbean migrants
to the UK.
First, however, he did three months training at the Patrick Henry Camp
in Virginia, USA, before eventually arriving at Filey, Yorkshire.
There he was trained at R.A.F. Hunmanby Moor
though he regretted not having seen active service. He returned to Jamaica
in 1948 where he was eventually demobbed from the Air Force. Luckily
for him he was a qualified electrician in the Air Force, and thereby
had many strings to his bow.
|
|
|
|
|
During this return with his
first wife and children, he was a frequent visitor to his beloved Alma
Mater, where he supported and mentored literally hundreds of boys, many
of whom have loyally remained in contact with him and his family up to
the time of his death. The Sisters of Mercy in Jamaica
remember him with pride and genuine affection. Indeed, a small number
of my fellow Alumni even named their own children, Sandra, Paul, or
David out of admiration and affection for him.
|
|
|
|
|
In the early 1950s he
again turned to the military, joining the Royal Army Service Corp in Kingston before again being transferred to work in
England.
He served in Cyprus
and Germany
before being demobbed from the Royal Ordinance Corp, now the Royal
Logistics Corp. He has been with his present wife, Olive, for over 30
years, and she has been his mainstay, showing remarkably tolerance to
the stream of Alumni visiting and keeping in touch with the man we
affectionately called “Mr Mack”.
Indeed, that is why we are here today.
|
|
|
|
|
Lest you misunderstand
the importance of Eric’s early life experience and the significance of
Alpha Boys’ School, consider for a minute being taught and cared for by
what one might affectionately call “tom-boy nuns” – in particularly one
Sister Mary Ignatius. Of her,
Eric himself wrote: “I remember her arriving at the Boys' School, some
three years after I did. She was a youthful "girl" (being
still in her teens) with a keen eye for sports. She was an amazing
gifted hockey player, who also could play cricket and baseball, kick a
football, and would get totally excited about boxing.” Don’t take
Eric’s word for this: Google “Sister Mary Ignatius RSM” and see for
yourselves.
|
|
|
|
|
Though from a poor
background, Eric was rich in achievements and in affection. He was
loved by many – and still is – and his departure will leave empty
spaces in the lives of many. And so, Mr Mack, thanks for being the role
model you were to so many of us. We will miss you, though in faith we
know you are now merely ahead of us. May you rest in peace.
|
|
|
|
|
-
Basil Hylton – Chairman of the Alpha Boys’ Association for
Poor & Disadvantaged Children
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
