100 Years Old Today (my father)

Subject: 100 Years Old Today
From: Liam's Brother
Date: 13 Mar 01 - 10:35 AM

My father would have been 100 today.

He was born close to the very center of Birmingham, England to an English father who drove a hansom carriage, and who died when my father was 4, and an Irish mother from a Co. Clare family. He was desperately poor all his early life.

After his older brothers joined the army in World War I, he enlisted as a boy soldier and caught a little of life in the trenches. He was reviled by violence but was unable to find any work in post-war England and simply had to enlist again. He was stationed in many places including a fort at the foot of the Khyber Pass and had many a hair-raising tale to tell of his life in India. In Ireland, he saw first hand the terrible religious discrimination that was allowed to perpetuate in the North. He was a life-long anti-monarchist who simply rejected out-of-hand the notion that some people are born inately better than others and, untried, are fit to rule.

He married my Irish mother when he was 40 and the two of them worked in factories during World War II. My mother's building took a direct hit. After the war, our family tried living in Ireland but eventually we came out to Canada and then to New York. As a child, I remember being in one of Horn & Hardart's old Automat's with dad one Saturday. There was a poor old woman at our table whom I did not understand and thought strange. She was nursing a cup of tea. After a while, father reached over and took her hand and said, "Would you like something to eat, mother?" In addition to providing her with a very welcome meal, he gave me a lesson to carry through life.

Because of his early poverty, he received very little formal education but he was, like other more recogniable names to Mudcatters, a self-educated man such as A.L. Lloyd or Stan Hugill. He would sit and read the dictionary or encyclopedia for hours. He had a great love for music, was self-taught on piano and taught my brother and I many songs including some he had learned from his maternal grandfather and while in the army. He was a great influence on my singing. It was because of him, really.

William Milner did not survive his second bout with cancer and died in 1972. He was a very kind, encouraging and charming man and I just wanted to honor him today.

All the best,
Dan Milner

Subject: RE: 100 Years Old Today
From: UB Ed
Date: 13 Mar 01 - 10:39 AM

Happy Birthday William!

So much to learn from that generation....

Subject: RE: 100 Years Old Today
From: CamiSu
Date: 13 Mar 01 - 10:46 AM

Dan,

I would have loved to know him and wish some of the kids I know (my AFS kid in particular) could, as well. I know that there will always be people who are like that, but they are rare, and always a treasure. Thank you.

CamiSu

Subject: RE: 100 Years Old Today
From: catspaw49
Date: 13 Mar 01 - 10:48 AM

I too have paid a tribute here to my Dad and I think your post was a great one Dan.....as was your father. Thanks for sharing him....... and a little bit of you.

Here's to you William.....and to all the Dad's we have learned from.

Spaw

Subject: RE: 100 Years Old Today
From: Big Mick
Date: 13 Mar 01 - 11:00 AM

Aaaahhhh Dan, your great heart shows itself again. It is why folks here have great respect for you. And it is why I am so very proud that you are my friend. I have seen it on a personal level. Your Father, God be good to him, is very proud of you. And one can see the wonder of him in his son. Happy birthday, William. You are immortal in the songs you have passed, and in the teaching of how to sing them, to your son Dan. He has become one of the truly great singers ever...............and more importantly, one of the most genuinely nice men that I have ever known.

All the best,

Mick Lane

Subject: RE: 100 Years Old Today
From: Wesley S
Date: 13 Mar 01 - 11:09 AM

Many thanks for sharing your father and yourself here. It was a grand tribute. My guess is that your father is very proud of you today.

Subject: RE: 100 Years Old Today
From: Fortunato
Date: 13 Mar 01 - 11:27 AM

Fine Post, Liam's brother. Wonderful, in fact.

Thanks for allowing the opportunity to know something of such a fine man.

all the best, fortunato

Subject: RE: 100 Years Old Today
From: Kim C
Date: 13 Mar 01 - 11:30 AM

Dan, that's very nice. Perhaps your dad and my dad and all the other dads who have gone on are sitting atop the stars in the sky, talking about us too. :-)

Subject: RE: 100 Years Old Today
From: Gervase
Date: 13 Mar 01 - 12:00 PM

Thanks for that, Dan - a fine tribute to someone who was clearly a fine man.
As long as we can summon up memories like that and pass them down, together with the songs and stories, then those dear to us never die.

Subject: RE: 100 Years Old Today
From: SINSULL
Date: 13 Mar 01 - 12:08 PM

You guys!!! I am all warm and fuzzy again. Damn! Dan, that is a beautiful tribute. Thank you. And Happy Birthday, Dad.

Subject: RE: 100 Years Old Today
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Mar 01 - 12:19 PM

Well, thanks, for that, Dan...my dad is only 14 years younger than yours, fortunately still here, but I count every day as a blessing that has him in it. Like your dad, mine is mostly self-taught, an insatiable reader, and passed on his love of music to all five of his children. Music is his consuming passion, now, sustaining him through each day, as he shares it with the "old folks" in nursing homes.

Happy Birthday, William Milner. You've a fine son and we're grateful for your sharing him.

kat'leen

Subject: RE: 100 Years Old Today
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler
Date: 13 Mar 01 - 03:13 PM

Nice story, Dan. Your dad and my grandfather must have inhabited opposite universes: mine was born of Irish parents in India, married an Englishwoman in Birmingham where he lived all his adult life, working on the black stuff and then as a decorator. Sadly he died when I was in primary school so I never knew him as well as I would have liked.
RtS

Subject: RE: 100 Years Old Today
From: Morticia
Date: 13 Mar 01 - 03:48 PM

My grandfather and your father would have a lot in common I think. He served in India too, and went to work in Limerick where he met and married my grandmother.He died young and I never met him but I'd like to think he was special, just like your dad.

Subject: RE: 100 Years Old Today
From: Stewart
Date: 13 Mar 01 - 05:06 PM

Dan, nice story - he sounds like a fine person. My dad would also be 100 today, nice they could share the same birthday.

Cheers, S. in Seattle

Subject: RE: 100 Years Old Today
From: Kernow John
Date: 13 Mar 01 - 06:10 PM

Dan
I truly believe that in the words of Rick Kemp "Somewhere along the road someone waits for me". That someone for you one day will be William. He'll shake you by the hand hug you and tell you how damn proud he is of you.
As are we all, God bless you both and a very happy birthday William. Thank you for your son and his music.
KJ

Subject: RE: 100 Years Old Today
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 13 Mar 01 - 07:19 PM

Dan, you are very fortunate to have your father's presents for so many years. Thanks for sharing the celebration with us. It is a beautiful story. This thread also says much about your loving character.

Bonnie