Uncle Andrew

My Uncle Andrew passed away on 14 May 2008 in Kuala Lumpur and this entry is in his memory.

Uncle Andrew or AKK as he was affectionately referred to by us was Dad's best brother. AKK was the 4th son in the family of 5 sons and 2 daughters. For as long as I could remember, AKK lived in London, England.

I have this early memory of AKK as a dapper bowler hat London gentleman in his pin-striped three piece suit with his black brolly and black polished brogues from photographs in my younger days.

AKK was always very particular about his clothes - they always had to be properly pressed. No crumpled shirts or badly creased trousers for him! Always impeccably dressed.

The joke amongst us was that AKK and Dad could run a Chinese dhobi. The two brothers have identical dressing room set-ups. There would always be an ironing board, a steam iron, water spray and spray starch set up - all ready to be pressed into service at a moment's notice.

They would press their suits if slightly creased to smarten them before wearing. The shirt sleeves had to be well pressed - only one crease line was acceptable. The collars had to be properly starched and the collar stiffeners put in.

I guess this Chinese dhobi set up as also rubbed off on me. I have an ironing board, a steam iron, water spray and spray startch all set up in our bedroom to iron clothes when needed.

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