11th November 1918 The end of world war one Bobs father dies before he arrives

April 14th 1919 Robert James is born to Rose an addition to older sister Lucy

Rose and Lucy are living in Oswin street

They live toghether with his Aunt Kath and cousins John, Nin Rene and Squib

An important part of childhood was church where Bobs mum worked and where he was

angelic choir boy!

At an early age bobs love of music begins as his Aunt Kit pays for his piano lessons, he

repays by being page boy!

At 14 yrs old he goes to work with his Uncle Joe in the family roofing business.

At 16 he had an operation on his ear and joins the white collar brigade when his Dads sister

Kit gets him an office job – of course he’s suitably dapper, seen here with cousin John

Aunt Kit plays an important role in socialising with family parties galore

War breaks out in 1939 and Bob is called up at the tender age of 20, his admirers say their

goodbyes

But they don’t have to wait long as due to his ear problems he doesn’t pass the medical! He

supports the effort by providing entertainment with his band (note the dashing trumpet player Charlie!)

Bob meets plenty of lovely ladies in the office but one in particular catches his eye

Bob cares for his mum and in 1946 she passes away.

In 1948 Bob marries Margaret Harris

They move into their own house in Oswin street above Nellie Keanes Hat shop, here begins

Margarets love for shopping

Bob eventually gives up the band to concentrate on night classes and qualifies as a company accountant although he was always

called upon at any suitable occasions

In 1953 Bob and Margaret have their first daughter Diane

In 1956 Bob and Margaret join the elite (?!) and buy their first house in the suburbs of Herne

Hill

Family is still close by and they enjoy evenings out together

1957 their family is completed by the arrival of Jane

In addition to the new house a few years later the first car is bought from uncle Joe

The Austin Somerset is used in family outings to Margate.

1964 The move is made to Epsom where they are reunited with Squib, John and Rene, who has now married Wally. Extended family plays an important

part of the Harris's life

1966 marked the year of the first family holiday abroad to Austria, it would be the first of many

Around this time and the move to Epsom Bob takes a keep interest in Golf as well as

encouraging his children’s hobbies!

Diane and Jane are getting older and the family enjoy Masonic ladies nights

1976 Diane has graduated from Lampeter in Wales where she meets and marries David and

they move to live in Guernsey

1978 Jane has graduated from Kings college as a physio and moves to Somerset

1978 Bob gets made redundant but finds two new jobs and eventually becomes director of one

1979 Diane moves to Kent

1981 Jane goes to work in Australia for a year….

1983 – Jane meets Pat in Oz and they get married in England in Bobs thermal golfing long

johns

1984 – Diane has a baby girl Rachel who becomes grand daughter no 1

1984 6 months later Jane and Pat also have a baby girl Lisa and a visit to Australia is in order

1986 Bob finally retires and they move from Epsom to Hythe to be closer to daughter and grand

daughter

They soon take over parties and have the first of many visits from Australian family

1987 Jane and Pat have a baby boy Robert

Bob and Margaret continue to make as many visits as possible to Oz to visit the rellies, Bob

of course keeps himself busy!

Not forgetting Holidays in the British Isles too!

January 1988 Diane has second daughter Sarah

In 1990 Jane and Pats family are getting older and have another daughter Michelle who Bob and

Margaret never get to meet as she dies at 4 months

In 1990 Margaret gets diagnosed with Breast Cancer which soon spreads. Bob becomes a tireless support and carer throughout a long

two year battle

Later in 1992 last grandchild Jenny arrives, the baby of the family of course warrants a visit to

Oz!

When Bob returns from Oz he soon needs something to keep him entertained and delivers meal on wheels as well as providing a taxi service for the

church as well as the grandchildren

1995 – Jane Pat and family come over from Australia and move in with Bob on a years

Visa. Of course the grandchildren make themselves helpful!

After a number of months they return to Australia. Of course a family get together is in

order for the goodbye

1995 Bob meets Lilly, an older woman (!) with an eye out for a suitable dancing partner. Bob

joins Saltwood dancing club which soon revives his love of dancing and music.

1999 – Diane and David split up and Diane Rachel and Sarah move in with Bob for a

couple of months, this turns into nearly 3 years where he relives living with two teenage girls!

2000 – Bob, Lilly and Diane accompany seven 17 year old girls on holiday in a heat wave in

Kos

Bob continues to go Dancing and meets Derek, a demon with a computer and a keyboard, Bob

soon invests in a very complicated and state of the art keyboard and jamming sessions begin!

(CDs available for a small fee!)

Through the years he enjoys Holidays to….

Paris

32

Moselle

Isle of Wight

28

Greece

Cuba

South of France, staying at baby cousin Regs house

Amsterdam

Bob retains the close relationships with the family members of his youth sharing many

happy and memorable get togethers, holidays and celebrations

He has always been an integral part of his daughters and grandchildren's lives

despite the confines of distance.

Even if it was a bit tiring sometimes!

The family is older now but he continues to play a big part in all our lives

His relationship with Lilly is still going strong!

As Bob celebrates his 90th birthday the next generation was about to start….

Lisa gave birth to baby Nicholas on 27th of April

And so as we are here celebrating with family and friends wishing Bob

a very happy 90th birthday