Major Derek Maurice Andrews MBE (31 May 1941 - 26 Jan 2018)

In loving memory of Major Derek Maurice Andrews MBE who sadly passed away on 26th January 2018. Derek, known to his friends as Andy, was a very much loved husband, father, stepfather, brother, grandfather, uncle, and friend.

Born in Islington in 1941, Andy was the second youngest of 13 children. He remembered being one of the babies of a big family as a mixed blessing: he got away with murder, but he reported going missing all day once as a toddler without anyone noticing until he was eventually found eating shoe polish in a cupboard!

After joining the army aged just 16, he served with the Royal Artillery as a soldier then an officer until the 1980s. He then became Chief Executive Officer in the army cadet force, where he spent the rest of his working life. It brought him much joy and pride to be able to offer opportunities to young people, many of whom were from disadvantaged backgrounds. Andy's outstanding service to the cadets saw him recognised with a MBE in the royal honours list in 2005.

With his first wife Vivian, Andy had two children, Richard and Rebecca. His second marriage was to Jean, whom he cared for before she passed away. Andy is survived by his wife Lindsey, his children and grandchildren, and stepdaughter Catherine.

Everyone who knew Andy will remember him as a generous, fun-loving man who enjoyed the fine things in life, loved to sing, and was a talented cake decorator and flower arranger despite his military credentials. He and Lindsey enjoyed many happy years of entertaining together—their karaoke garden parties will go down in history among all who attended them.

Andy lived life to the full, and he is dearly missed by those who knew and loved him.