Les was a magnificent swimmer, once swimming for the RAF. As only child living in a London upstairs flat and with a working mother, he was often lonely. So, as often as he could, he went to the local baths and taught himself to swim. He was as at home in and under the water as he was on dry land (as long as the water was warm) so in later life we tried to have a beach holiday each year somewhere in the mediterranean or the tropics. If there was an island in view, he would swim to it. On a boat trip he would dive over the side. If he was tired, he would lay back and float on his back. Most of all though, he would don his goggles and check out the fish, other sea life, shells and reefs under the surface. He played with a small octopus off a Greek island, swam around with marine iguanas in a Galapagos bay, and just managed to avoid a giant squid off a Malayan beach, As I wasn't much of a swimmer, I spent my time trying to find some shade on the beach, waiting to hear his report of everything he had seen.

Russell and I have very happy memories of our visit to see Maggie, Les and Gabby in 2018 - all such wonderful people and I am so honoured to call them family <3. I have added a photo into the gallery from this visit. Unfortunately we have been unable to travel back since then but it is on our bucket list when restrictions lift. Les was such a lovely man with a wonderful sense of humour, we think of this visit often with such fondness. Love from Jacqui Beadell Asser xx

I guess it is now time for me to forgive Les for splitting my brand new Mohair suit (Just purchased) whilst giving me "The Bumps" on my 21st Birthday some 50 years ago. John Holmes.