Among my very earliest memories in childhood and towards the end of the War was when I was about three years of age, being in the garden of our home in St. Brides Road at Aberkenfig and becoming aware of an aeroplane, I believe a Hurricane beating up our street which backed onto Coronation Street. I remember my Dad saying " That is that little b-----, Freddie Chilcott! And it was! Freddie, the second eldest son of Bess and Edgar Chilcott. The Chilcotts lived in 28 Coronation Street and it was Fred’s way of telling his Mum and Dad that he was well and all was well!

Elisabeth (Bess) and Edgar lived there and were blessed with eleven children over a period of perhaps 20 odd years, an unusual but not rare situation in the 20s and 30s. They were not rich, but Bess was the corner stone of that household and she made sure that everyone was provided for. It was a house full of love and care and I well remember her, a largish lady always being present at 28 Coronation Street. The archetypal Welsh Mam!

The other thing I remember was that the work ethic was imbued into the children when growing up, and was well demonstrated by Edgar who developed a business as a sweep, and I can picture him now with his brushes upon his shoulder going off to sweep chimneys in the local streets at about 8 o’clock in the morning. I suspect that some of the money he earned allowed him to invest in the Aberkenfig Conservative Club, although I also suspect there was little Conservative about Edgar!

Allen, Leighton and I attended primary school together, Lieghty and I in the same year group and Allen one year on. Allen passed the old scholarship exam in 1951 and then on to Bridgend Grammar School and I followed the following year. Our years passed happily enough there and we made life long friends there, some of whom are here today.

He left in 1956 after "o" levels and joined the Coal Board as a trainee mining engineer, and he was familiar with the industry as several of his brothers worked in the collieries, of which there were 26 coming under the Tondu No.2 Offices at Tondu at that time. He obviously had found his niche since he went through his training without a hitch and was one of the youngest young men to obtain their professional qualification, their "ticket" at that time.

During this time, the late ‘50s, our attentions were being drawn to other things and we used to make pilgrimages to Porthcawl on Saturday night, but commencing in the Lion at Aberkenfig ( I was always the driver, because I was the only one who had access to a car and it was pre-breathalyser!). We sometimes made it to the Pavilion where the band leader was a chap called Harry Darnel, and he played a fiddle, so you can tell how long ago that was!!

However, again at about that time, travelling home from work in the Garw, Allen’s attention had been drawn to a young lady on the bus, and having made enquiries, by hook and by crook, and in the course of time and I think with the help of intermediaries, they got together. This was Carole. We know the result of that.

After courtship, Carole and Allen were married in 1964 and were blessed some 18 months later with a baby daughter, Miriam. The following year, Allen, being quite ambitious decided that he would seek employment abroad and was able to secure employment in Uganda, where he had some contact with that dreadful man Idi Amin. He moved on to Nigeria, Ghana, Sudan and up near the Saudi Arabia/Kuwait border, but more of that later.

Prior to them moving abroad in ‘66, I had purchased the little shop at Aberkenfig, which my family had rented for many years. However, I had no money left to do such repairs and alterations that I aspired to. My good friend Allen together with Merlin and myself, with another Aberkenfig pal, Spike Lewis supplying the lorry, we managed to remove a very thick wall at the rear over several evenings. That, my friends, is true friendship and something that I shall never forget.

Carole eventually came back with Miriam to live locally, finally coming down the valley to Penyfai where Carole’s Mum, Dora joined them living next door. Allen continued to work in the Gulf and was at Kuwait when in 1992, Saddam Hussein invaded resulting in him effectively being held hostage there. Carole understandably was becoming agitated and I remember having a couple of long conversations with our then MP, Win. Griffiths and Allen, thank goodness returned on literally the last plane before the balloon went up.

One memory of a story Allen told us remains with me about Kuwait/Saudi and the invasion, and that involves his work, which by then involved quarrying. The site had three very large D8 bulldozers, and to give you some idea of the scale of things, these probable cost in the order of £½ million each. Allen decided that they should not fall into the hands of the Iraqis so had them buried under large amounts of stone chippings, but not before removing the fuel pumps, so even should they be discovered, they would be of no use to anyone. This was typical of Allen’s intellect and nous, skills that stood him in good stead throughout life.

Upon settling back into life here in Wales, Allen decided to work and worked as a driver for the Health Authority for some time before becoming involved with OTED, Ogwr Transport for the Elderly and Disabled, to which service he became committed as to it’s usefulness. Supported by the Board, Allen oversaw much growth in the service provided in addition to expanding the facilities and vehicles. The last time we spoke about OTED, he told me how happy he was that the charity had appointed a very capable lady to become the Manager and was very confident that the agency would continue under her direction to thrive, and that he could finally disengage and retire.

Allen became interested in Freemasonry upon his return to the UK, an interest which began in Nigeria. He used to come as a guest to my lodge and in due course became a member in 1993 and attained the Chair of the Lodge in the year 2000. I know he enjoyed his year and he and Carole had an enjoyable and successful social year also.

He also became a member of a side degree, Rose Croix, attaining the chair of that lodge in 2011 and I know he valued his involvement in what is essentially a Christian Order. He served also with great competence as Secretary to the Bridgend Masonic Lodges Charitable Trust for several years. His merit in Rose Croix was rewarded with an appointment in London last year and in Craft Masonry, his value and success as Charity Steward of Penybont Lodge was recognised by a promotion in Provincial Grand Lodge this year.

Allen was totally committed to family life and seeing Miriam and Gary having Leah and Evan and to seeing them grow up to be young persons of which he and Carole are proud, brought both of them great delight. I know, because he would often speak of Leah’s happiness and success at Bridgend College where we understand she is a bit of a star within the catering department. Evan has this year passed up to the comprehensive school, and it is important to know that both he and Leah have inherited the Chilcott work ethic.

To these young persons, who are obviously upset, and to Carole, Miriam and Gary, and to the broader Chilcott family, rather than mourn the loss of Allen, celebrate his life. Most of us knew how fragile a hold he had on life over the last couple of years; fortunately he was able to continue his lifestyle in a largely unmodified, but perhaps slower manner.

He has left his mark upon all our lives, as demonstrated by so many family and friends turning up here to celebrate his life. Our little circle, Allen, Clive, Merlin and myself who met up each Saturday afternoon at Tondu Cricket Club to have a pint, but to more importantly put the world to rights, will never quite be the same. We shall miss him and all of you will miss him as family. His wise counsel in so many small ways was always appreciated.

His life has impinged upon so many lives in so many ways, despite being one of life’s quieter characters and I know that we are all the better for knowing Allen and enjoying his friendship.