Cecil Walter Haylett 1902 - 1988

My mother wrote a detailed life of my father but, in amongst her other writings, I found the result of a task set for her by the literary group to which she belonged while in Maldon. This was to write a character sketch, and Helen chose Cecil as her subject. This was in 1992, a few years after he had died. Here it is.

His nature was open and lively, optimistic and trusting, yet he had the shrewdness of the Norfolk fisherfolk from whom he came, and a devotion to the sea as an enemy and a friend but not an element to be involved with for pleasure. He never swam, bathed rarely, and only fished from a boat with an engine.

He was the middle one of three brothers. The older one he admired and enjoyed being with; the younger he disliked and, as a boy, feared, for he was aggressive and had no difficulty in terrorising his brother. His mother always considered Cecil delicate and therefore tended to protect him and dominate his life, a situation which he accepted as a young man as long as he could enjoy cricket and football - and music. All the family were musical and he found great satisfaction in the piano, particularly accompanying singers which he did with sympathy and consideration. He was not a scholar, leaving school early and taking the job his mother arranged for him with little objection as long as it didn’t interfere with games. Yet he was intelligent and quick-witted.

A close family, dominated by his mother for his father was a Merchant Captain and not often at home, meant that he would have drifted along quite happily had not Father taken a hand, seeing his potential. At 22, given the chance of employment at Port Sudan, dealing with ships, he took it without telling his mother until all was arranged. This was the challenge that changed his whole character. Making decisions, standing up to older men, working with Africans and Arabs, gave strength and purpose to his character. Ships, the men who sailed in them, and their servicing, were his life.

He was a man’s man, a club man par excellence, the pub his mecca in old age. With height, bright blue eyes and a ready laugh, he was attractive to women who would do much to gain his attention. At 36 he married and had two sons. His wife was 10 years his junior and was a support to him in his career.

He was always concerned about personal appearance and was immaculate. Clothes were important, and behaviour, and he never swore. Anxiety about health never left him, inculcated by his mother, and he always anticipated that he would die young. He did not take life seriously, making few decisions for himself and his family, preferring events to move him along. But when he felt strongly and made a decision, it had to be accepted.

At 60 he made a decision which changed his life for he severed his connection with ships, came to England and filled his time with gardening, house decorating and the pub. He outlived all his siblings and died just before his 85th birthday, liked by many, loved by his family.