Henry was our little brother, and he was our friend. Spending time with him was always easy, relaxed and filled with laughter, being around him brought a feeling of happy contentment, of being exactly where you should be at that very moment. Even in the awful here and now, just the thought of his face, his knowing smile, his deep thoughtful eyes and his laughter conjure up that same feeling of comfort. 

Henry was everything that he appeared to be and so much more. He was smart, he was knowledgeable, and he held opinions; but he was also kind, considered and tolerant. He was wise, he was calm, he was interested and yet he was also enthusiastic, cheeky, fun, and adventurous. And he manifested all of these qualities alongside being someone who had so much love for his family and all of his friends. 

We had 36 years of Henry. We have happy, silly, memories of an easy-going baby brother, letting me push him around in a doll’s buggy, or long sufferingly answering in different voices to a list of names as I took the register whilst playing schools. We have treasured memories of seeing him grow up and fall absolutely in love with his beautiful Kate, and of witnessing his joy in becoming and being a father to Casper and then Archie.  

Henry lived his life to the full and definitely kept himself busy! But throughout it all he always made time for me. Even if it meant dropping everything and changing his plans in the most ridiculous way just to spend a couple of hours together when I was back in the country; he was the perfect brother. 

The last time I saw Henry was on a beautiful summer’s day with all of our families around us. I have a short video of him – Kate is holding Elodie, my youngest daughter on her knee and Henry is making faces and silly noises to make her shriek and giggle. It’s the perfect memory of my brother and who he was, his joy, his kindness, and his love for everyone around him. 

We want you all to treasure your own precious memories of Henry as the gifts that they are, and hope that you all live your lives to the fullest with those memories in your heart.