Vincent Claude Freedman

I met Vince in Lae, Papua New Guinea circa 1976. We belonged to the Hash House Harriers and Vince was my dear friend. In many ways he was a mentor and father figure. I was far from home (Africa) with my little girl. I emigrated to Canada - to a forsaken place called Lynn Lake. Vince came to visit in the far north.
Wonderful memories of a wonderful man. Bright blessings to you all Jax Hayward (Canada)

Dear Dad, it's very hard to write this as Rosie and I are devastated that you are no longer with us. Our only comfort is that a piece of you still exists in us both however even if I try my best I can not hope to match the warm, kind, generous, intelligent and humorous person that you were. Many memories stick in my mind, the little plastic toy racing car that you gave me when I was 5 that magically changed colour overnight depending on how good I had been that day, red for good and blue for bad; I was fooled for years on that one. Buying me my first used post office motorcycle when I was 15 at an auction of Papua New Guinea government surplus stock; bidding on the worst one, winning it and waiting till the crowd moved on so that you could swap all the good bits on the other bikes over on to the one you bought for me. The late night fishing trips in Rabaul and the little boat you got for me to repair and 'do up' which lived anchored in the bay at the bottom of our garden, etc. etc. You may be gone but the memories will last until its my turn, god bless. xx

We are so very sad to know we will never again be able to "Facetime" with our old friend from New Guinea days. We had some hilarious chats remembering "taim befoa". Living in the North of Scotland and less than fit ourselves, we are unable to be present to pay our last respects. I will give our garden visitors an extra special lunch that day in Vince's memory.
Frances and Tim Crabb

I remember Vince as a great friend, a wise, witty and wonderfully humorous gentleman. I loved working for him in PNG and have many happy memories of that time. Lukim yu behain, Vince.

My kind and thoughtful Grandad was a constant source of stories, humour and bear-hugs throughout my life. I cannot believe that the only family member I kept in contact with whilst at uni (and who I traded pictures with over email), the person who drove over to see me with a giant cake when I was home alone, and the person who would gift me books from his home which he thought would be of interest, is gone. However sad I am to have lost him, I must be grateful and glad to have had him as a grandad.

A message for my Dad

Dad, I miss your kindness, your generosity and wonderful humour. We talked about anything and everything and you taught me so much over the last few years. You always had a practical and sensible answer to problems and you reminded me not to worry about the small things. Your quiet dignity to the end, trying to protect us from the suffering that I know you must have endured illustrated how selfless you really were.

The huge number of memories and stories we have received from around the world, all echo these sentiments, your generosity and thoughtfulness left an impression on so many people and the world is a poorer place without you. You were most definitely a 'one in a million'.

Now watching the birds in my garden and feeding them every day, just as you did is your legacy to me.

I miss you. Ixxxx

You loved your garden birds, they will miss you as much as the rest of us.

We lost touch with Vincent in 1958 and we didn't make contact again until 2004. Since then we have talked and emailed on a very regular basis. Marilyn found out that there was an exhibition of Barnett's work and she made contact with the gallery. They informed her that they didn't know there were other Freedmans as well as Vincent in the UK. The gallery put Marilyn in touch and I (Norman) found the archive in Manchester Metropolitan University. I travelled to Manchester regularly and spent a most interesting day there enthralled at the range of exhibits. I was then invited to an evening at Ruth Artmonsky's flat and I took the framed, original illustrations of a Heritage edition of Oliver Twist, which I inherited from Vincent's Aunt and Uncle. Prints of these have appeared in a number of publications since then.
Shortly after discovering our long lost cousin had returned to the UK Vincent came to our Ruby Wedding celebrations, Vincent made contact again with our side of the family and a most enjoyable time was had by all. It seemed like we had never been out of touch for 46 years. We will hopefully carry these memories forward for many years to come.

In memory of a good friend and neighbour whose company and conversation I always enjoyed.