The obituary notice of Michael John DISTON

Sorry this is late but I have been unwell in hospital and unable to attend the funeral or write this history.
Best mates.
Mike and I have been friends for over 50 years and we met when we joined H.M.S.Blake in the early 70’s. He had the job of maintaining the gunnery radar and I the Electronics Warfare equipment. We were both Petty Officers and were housed in the same mess. This gave us the opportunity to get involved with playing various card games which lasted for many years. Mike had previously been stationed in Malta and one visit on the Blake gave him the chance to visit old haunts and he showed me all the interesting places.
When we left the Royal Navy in the late 70’s, we had planned to set up our own company repairing wheelchairs. This did not happen as we did not have enough experience for the county councils to accept our contract bids.
Mike got a job with British Gas and I as an engineer with the RNLI. This was handy as my area covered Cornwall so was able to visit White Lodge whenever I was passing. This meant that Di produced good meals while Mike and I checked the work being done on the “estate”
Mike, once retired, showed an interest in the sport of bowls which I was involved in. At the time I was living in Petersfield and playing for Petersfield Bowling Club. He was able to play well in a wheelchair and this encouraged him to continue the sport in Cornwall. He was very successful and we played together in a pairs formation at Wedmore. This was a weekend competition for disabled bowlers with an able bodied bowler. We were very successful with 4 wins out of 5.
Quite often Mike would come and visit us after we moved to Sturminster Newton in Dorset. I was keen on fishing the local river at the end of our garden and he came along one day to see how it was all done. I had a new rod which I was testing out. After casting I realised the rod had parted and half was in the river. I lifted this hollow part out to feel my lap being drowned by the contents. Mike