Brandon Shackleton: – [Heath 1952–1957]
Brandon Shackleton passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, at Leeds General Infirmary on , aged 84 years. Dearly beloved husband and best friend of Susan, devoted father of Guy, special father-in-law of Karen, cherished grandad of Freya and Erin, a loving brother to Rodger, the late Brenda and brother-in-law, a caring uncle and a good friend to many.
A celebration of his life was held on Thursday, at St. Jude's Church, Halifax, followed by the committal at Park Wood Crematorium, Elland. In lieu of flowers, Brandon’s chosen charity was Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
We are all here today to celebrate the life of Brandon Shackleton, a true gentleman. He was born on Bonfire Night, the 5th November, in 1940 to Ronnie and Evelyn. The middle child — his elder sister was Brenda and Rodger was his younger brother — and there were seven years between each of them. The Shackletons had a farm and a haulage business; so from the beginning, wheels were always a significant part of his life. As a child, his dad nicknamed him ‘Nimrod’ — hence the piece of music Dad came in to today.
Dad’s childhood saw him attend Southowram Junior School before moving to Holy Trinity aged nine to improve his chances of passing the 11 Plus exam, which he did, to attend Heath Grammar school.
As a teenager, he was a budding musician and rockstar! … in a band called 4Square — it was a skiffle band … and he played — the washboard!
He was also in the Boys’ Brigade which led to the habit of always having a razor sharp pen knife in his pocket, a habit which stuck with him in the police force and beyond. He also spent many happy hours cycling and camping with his mates; they thought nothing of pedalling to Lincoln … a mere 90 miles away — in a day!
Dad was one of the first three police cadets in Halifax, joining at just 17 years old. His 30-year career saw him spend time in Brighouse, Halifax, Todmorden, Sowerby Bridge, Hebden Bridge and Bradford. He served as a ‘Bobby’ on the beat, in traffic, leading the collators office, training at Headquarters and rising through the ranks to inspector.
Later in his career, he served as the community liaison officer, where he did much to build positive relationships within the local community, including giving anti-drug talks in schools and taking fingerprints of excited kids who visited the police station. He even had a PR function in the Halifax police and was the conduit to the Royal Household when King Charles — then Prince Charles — came to Halifax.
He had an incredible memory for stories from his time in the force, including former colleague’s collar numbers and car registrations from decades past. There’s a story about a new inspector who, trying to catch him out for some reason with an eyesight test, pointed to a car in the distance. Dad not only gave him the registration … but also the name of the owner … who happened to be a local villain!
I remember being in a supermarket in Brighouse one day, when he saw a lady down the aisle getting her bread; suddenly he turned on his heel and disappeared. When I caught up with him and asked him why, he simply replied, ‘Hmm, last week, I arrested her!’
Dad was very proud of his Police career and was a member of the National Association of Retired Police Officers. On notice of his death, common themes from the social media comments of his former colleagues was that he was a real gentleman, fair, and a great boss. He retired from the police aged just 47! and then went on to work at Polar Motor Company in internal systems auditing and then at McLarens Topliss/Capita in the claims department before finally retiring.
Dad had a wide range of passions and interests. His love for cars and anything that went fast — like the motorbikes he had as a young man — never faded. He was always known to ‘make progress,’ but he was a police-trained advanced driver. His speed and skill behind the wheel once saved the life of a friend, who needed to get to the hospital in less time than the ambulance could reach him. His love for cars was passed on to me, and a toy car he gave me led to one of my first words being ‘Lamborghini!’ He was also the President of the Halifax Motor Club, organising rallies and treasure hunts. Dad took his first car, a Minivan racing — and, on a trip to Italy in his Cortina GT, he knew the clutch was on the way out … when it finally went, he pulled over and simply changed it at the roadside! Even in his 80s his car was a BMW M35i, and he was known to really enjoy its performance.
His passion for motorsport included the speedway in Halifax, going to the Le Mans 24hour race several times with my ‘Uncle Paul,’ including with me twice … and in contrast with dawn in a damp, Dalby forest, watching the Lombard RAC rally with Uncle Rodger, his nephew Neil and I, we both delighted in being at the Monaco Grand Prix on the day of my 21st birthday – although in true Dad style, he found the glamour and wealth somewhat ostentatious! Much more recently, he and I thoroughly enjoyed a trip to watch the British Touring cars at Oulton Park.
Dad relished his holidays and travelling — whether as a family caravanning, or with Mum, and sometimes with good friends. They had many trips around Europe and The Canary Isles, plus motoring holidays, and cruises to the Baltics, Fjords, Mediterranean and Caribbean — and he had some wonderful memories from the West Coast of America … I always said he and Mum had more trips than Judith Calmers!
When I was a youngster, I recall Dad attending confirmation classes here at St. Jude’s and, since that time over 49 years ago, he has been an active member of this congregation, including as a sidesman and even taking part in the Passiontide Play dressed as a Roman soldier. A regular and willing volunteer for church fundraising activities, he and Mum worked on the Bash the Rat and Tombola stands at the Christmas fairs for many, many years, Dad drumming up trade with an incredibly loud klaxon horn from a 1920s Bentley.
Music was another real interest, started from his early skiffle band days. His record collection was eclectic, ranging from jazz like Aker Bilk who we’ll hear at the crematorium, classical such as Rachmaninov’s piano concertos, plus brass and military bands, to rock — including Queen and Status Quo. He also had a passion for photography and was a member of the Police photographic club in Brighouse, where I spent many an hour with him in the darkroom — developing and adjusting photos before Photoshop was even thought of.
Dad was a member and two-time Chairman of the ‘Coiners Wine Circle’ in Mytholmroyd. In recent years, he gave up wine and alcohol, because his doctor said it might improve the effectiveness of his medication. If it meant he got more time with his devoted ‘Sue,’ then so be it.
For 18 years, Dad was a very well-liked and respected member of the Stafford Bowling Club here in Skircoat Green, serving as President from 2021 to 2022. He won the President’s Cup, Rosebowl and mixed pairs with Mum, doing so with pride, but also a quiet and humble modesty. Even when he wasn’t well, just before he passed away, he was determined to attend the club's 15-yearly photo in July. He was so looking forward to it and looked splendid and smart, as he always did — the front cover photo on your order of Service is him that day — proudly wearing his Stafford Club tie and International Police Association lapel badge. He told Mum he had had a wonderful time — it is so very fitting that was Dad’s final public activity before he went into hospital that final time.
Dad was the definition of a loving husband, dad, brother, uncle, father in law and grandad – a real ‘family man.’ He met his wife, Susan — or ‘My Sue,’ as he called her — over 50 years ago. Their first date started with him being late! Mum said ‘you’re lucky — I nearly went home!,’ but it was well worth the wait for the ensuing years of closeness, affection and true love — leading to them enjoying their Golden Wedding Anniversary as much in love as when they were getting married. In Leeds hospital recently, as he was drifting in and out of consciousness, he saw Mum who was at his bedside, and with his blue eyes lighting up and a broad smile on his lips, he looked at her fondly and managed to say, ‘I love you!’ In recent months, whenever he and I spoke, he would invariably refer to mum as ‘my rock.’
He absolutely adored his granddaughters, Freya and Erin, calling them ‘my treasures’ — and they were always a huge tonic for him. He thought his daughter-in-law, Karen my wife, was wonderful. Clearly, he was a great judge of character! He also was a special part of the lives of his brother Rodger and his late sister Brenda, and a loving uncle to Neil, Julie and Susan — and ‘Uncle Brandon’ to many more.
And of course, he was a fantastic dad. I simply could not have asked for better! He was a first-class role model, and I remain immensely proud of him, the full life he lived, and everything he stood for. If, when I sign off, I have been half the man he was, I’ll have done OK!
Dad was fun to be around and always made people smile with his quick wit and humour and self-deprecating nature. Neighbours would find him ready to have a chat while he was gardening, nackling something in the garage or washing the car. The hospital staff, who we thank for caring so lovingly for Dad, doing everything they could for him in his last weeks, said, ‘he always had a smile for us and Brandon would really make our day.’
Underneath his calm and controlled exterior, Dad had an inner strength and resilience that’s an example to us all. Twice during the pandemic he was in hospital with COVID, and in the last few years also survived a heart attack, endocarditis, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, a heart valve replacement, and had two pacemakers fitted. Even in his final days, his vital signs meant his medical team said ‘he was a real trooper and a courageous fighter, right to the very end.’
Dad was a considerate soul, principled, and a giver, not a taker. A hard worker, loyal, honest, dependable — generous in spirit and with his time and help for anyone who needed it … a good friend and a good man.
He was a fantastic, genuine human being and to repeat for emphasis — a great role model for me — and others — respected and very well liked by so, so many. The evidence of that is all of you who have turned up today and the huge number of cards, messages and floral tributes Mum’s received — thank you — they mean so much to mum and I — as does all the love and support Mum has received from family, friends and neighbours whilst Dad was ill and since he died. There are too many of you to mention individually, but you know who you are. Mum and I are forever grateful and our sincerest of thanks.
Before I finish, I want you to take a moment to pause and reflect on what Brandon meant to you and the man he was — what stands out to you? Think of a memory of him that will make you smile — as I said at the start, we’re here to celebrate his life.
Dad, you were always loved, and you will be forever missed. But the memories of the full and fulfilling life you lived, and the gentleman you were, will always give us comfort and cause us to smile.
Thank you, Dad. Love you!
Guy Shackleton
Updated