John Giggins - Obituary

OBITUARY - JOHN GIGGINS
1944 -2023
A celebration of his life

EULOGY FOR JOHN WRITTEN BY HIS WIFE NORMA John Charles Giggins was born in Mannock Road, Wood Green on June 6 1944, D-Day, a fact he always told people when asked his birth date. When he was 2 years old his parents Lily and Walter Giggins moved into Boundary Road, and the family was completed with the arrival of Brother Peter and Sister Christine. Other members of the Giggins Family also lived in Boundary Road, and at one point 6 houses were owned by Giggins Family members. Grandmother Giggins lived at 72 Boundary Road, with her children Bill and May. In the post war years this grouping was very useful as the family shared produce and skills between them. They all contributed food to the chickens, kept by Walter, and hair cutting skills and dressmaking were shared around the family. John’s Father, Walter, and his Brother Frank, worked in the engineering trade and lived two doors apart. This meant that the children of the two families, later to be joined by the two sons of Sister Hettie were a close knit group. Three more cousins from Sister Winnie were also resident in Boundary Road.
This map dates back to 1948 and Boundary Road can clearly be seen almost alongside Belmont Recreation Ground and Belmont School where John also attended Also shown is the former West Green to Palace Gates railway that ran behind the school.
John's great love was railway steam engines, an interest he followed all his life. He joined the choir of Christchurch, West Green Road mainly so he could save up his chorister pay and then travel the country collecting engine numbers. He still knew many other train enthusiasts who he had met on steam trips in his youth. When 'steam died' he made many trips to breakers yards, where the redundant engines had been taken, and had a collection of steam signs and other items. The photographs below show the old West Green railway station and no doubt John would have spent some time in his youth visiting here.

CHRISTCHURCH - STANMORE ROAD Where John was a chorister in the Church choir
THIS PHOTOGRAPH HAS BEEN SHARED BY ALAN ROBINSON WHO WAS A FELLOW CHORISTER WITH JOHN AT CHRISTCHURCH	CHRISTCHURCH - ORIGINAL BUILDING SINCE REPLACED
CHRISTCHURCH - INTERIOR	THIS PHOTOGRAPH HAS BEEN SHARED BY ALAN ROBINSON

BELMONT SECONDARY SCHOOL

	BELMONT SCHOOL TEACHERS All these were teachers during John's time at the school

A CAREER WITH BRITISH RAIL
Somewhat against his parents wishes he joined the railways at 18 and worked on the London Midland service out of Euston Station, London all his working life. His hours were often long and his allocated rota meant he stayed in lodgings in various cities overnight. When I first met him he was working on the Emerald Isle Express, which ran from London to Holyhead, and connected with the ferry to Ireland. He lodged with the same family for several years, and when we became engaged he came home with many gifts from the local people who knew him.
Photograph by: Ben Brooksbank	THE EMERALD ISLE EXPRESS - By Mary Connelly

In 1969 he was chosen to work on the Royal Train, and took members of the Royal Family to Caernarfon for the investiture of the Prince of Wales. In the following years he worked numerous trips around the country with the Royal Family. He also worked on trips to meet visiting heads of state and other dignitaries. He was then asked to 'wait' at State Banquets at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle. We were both fortunate to be asked to several Christmas parties and met and chatted to most members of the Royal Family
This photograph by Ben Brooksbank shows the Royal Train travelling through nearby Harringay West station in 1961 The locomotive, Gresley A4 Pacific No. 60028 'Walter K. Whigham' was reserved for the Royal Train

HOBBIES AND INTERESTS
His other great love was his garden, which he spent many hours weeding, grass cutting, and over the years sifting out almost every stone. The flower beds were a riot of colour each summer, and neighbours were given plenty of surplus apples and tomato's. His family was very important to him, and prior to his father's death you could set your Sunday clock by their lunchtime trip for a beer, leaving his mother to prepare the most enormous, and tasty Sunday roast ever seen.
His hard work, and long hours meant he was able to buy a holiday chalet in Kent. His sons, Niall and Ross, are still in touch with friends made during these holidays. He was glad to welcome Jean and Kylie into the family as his sons chosen partners, and later on Granddaughters Amye, Emily and Hayley. Sadly his later years were dominated by several health problems, which he tended to try to play down. He was as active as possible until late into 2022 when breathing issues started to cause major problems. His death was quite unexpected and everyone who knew him was taken by surprise. The family have been overwhelmed by the kind messages and support offered by many people who have contacted them. This kindness is very gratefully received and will be treasured in the coming months.
FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHS Norma Giggins has shared two more recent photographs of John
JOHN PICTURED AT BALA LAKE STEAM RAILWAY c2010	JOHN PICTURED AT LONG MYND HOUSE SCULPTURE TRAIL - LONG STRETTON c2010

FOOTNOTE By Alan Swain

I attended Belmont Secondary School Tottenham at the same time as John and we were in the same class together. Some 60+ years later I still have my school report book and in the top left hand corner you will find the Best Wishes message that John kindly signed for me at the time. Sadly we were never to meet again after leaving school but I will always cherish his friendship at school.

I have no recollection why he signed himself as 'TIBS'

Article prepared by Alan Swain -August 2023

Updated September 2023 - Two family photographs

Original words from his Eulogy - Provided by his Wife Norma.

Photographs of Christchurch courtesy of Alan Robinson