Mike was a most unassuming man, a modest man, a humble man, easy going, a most compassionate man, a very broadminded man, a man slow to judge, traditional in some respects but could also buck the system. He had great resolve.  He was a good Dancer especially the Jive, he loved rock and roll and Jazz, he grew up on Hollywood Movies and Westerns, little did he realise in fact that his own life would read like a 'Boy's Own Annual'.. Two of his  strongest traits were his enduring sense of humour and the love he had for his family! Mike was emphatic about some things, and most easy going on others; i.e. it never worried him how people addressed him or what sobriquet he was given.  Except maybe the pronunciation of his Surname.   Consequently, he had many names and titles: Michael, Mike, Peter, Dr, Saib, Hakim, Bwana, Daktari, Doc, Herr, Menheer, Sir, Aqueed Mr. Dad, Uncle Mike, Grandad, Pop, Woof Woof, and Oi! ..... More recently; Sweetheart, honey, love and Darling.  His response was a twinkle in the eye, and a fleeting smile as if something had amused him. Unless you called him Cannhell, He would give a slight wince. To give him his full name and rank it was actually:  Colonel Michael Francis Cannell MB OBE RAMC. He was born in Chapra Bihar in India, He attended School in Darjeeling and Shillong. Where he attained 10 O Levels and 10 A levels 9 of which were high distinctions and one pass in Hindi! He was a sportsman, he was in the Nationals for Hockey and was practicing for the Olympic Games of 1940 which of course were cancelled due to the WWII. He was also a crack shot with a rifle. 1941 He was accepted into Calcutta Medical College, and in 1946 won the Gold Medal in Midwifery and Obstetrics. After his Internship and Registrar in a private American Missionary Hospital, he missed his parents and siblings so decided to join them in England were they had emigrated a year earlier. He was accepted into Surgeons College in London, but on further doing his research learnt that whatever he did over the next few years his ambitions would be thwarted as at some point on gaining British Citizenship he would have to do his Military Service. so thinking outside the square (an expression I am convinced he coined!) he volunteered and applied to join straight away, the idea being get it over and done with and then get on with his ambitions........ Little did he know....that this would change the course of his life completely: The Army loved him, they discovered he had a unique set of talents, 'hands on' Tropical Medicine....  an ability to organise and administer.. A top sportsman and a marksman. Wow! He loved the Army,  a real chance, albeit a frustrating one, to make a difference...and fulfil a revised Ambition. On his first real posting to the Hook of Holland as OC MRS his destiny and adventures where about to start big time.  He met 'Mac' aka Rose, at her Birthday Party which he had been taken too. Rose was a widow with two young children Michael and Robert.  He fell madly in love and that same night he begged her to marry him!  A year later they were indeed married! From here on in his career path took off, he spent most of his career loaned,  liasoned or seconded to other governments.   He spent time in Germany, Kenya, where his wife and brand new baby son Jeremy joined him, Mauritius where Rosy was born Sierra Leone, Sandhurst at Staff College, Aden, northern Irland, Norway, Oman, and back to the UK.   At age 38 in Sierra Leone he was awarded the OBE,  for seeing a need and setting up a families clinic. After a long and at times very exciting career, supported every inch of the way by his Rose, it was established that she had Heart Disease and was terminal, he turned down promotion to brigadier and another posting, and resigned his commission. It was now Rose's turn to be supported and looked after.  He did however stay on with the army working as a retired officer and a consultant on all things tropical, believe it or not there was quite a big call for that..... He worked for the Ghurkas for about 8 years a job he particularly liked, and could practise his Gurkari.   Sadly Rose died in 1982. And his world came crashing down.   However, on seeing he had a family that still needed him he got on with the job of doing what he always excelled at, looking after everyone.  From that moment on he was never on his own again, his home had a revolving door anyone and their dog was welcome and would find a home with him....his mother and his beloved sister Joy came to live with him, 'to look after him of course,,  then came his adored Cassie who needed a home,  followed by the Hodges.......life took on new meaning and he again had a reason to get up in the morning, Sue and Steve young Robert Rebecca and Mark needed him!  His house was always full of people. His love of his Grandchildren Vicki, Martin and Kevin.   His last few conversations were all about his family, what a lovely family he had and how blessed he was to have such wonderful children Michael and Robert Jeremy and Rosemary, who, he assured me never gave him any problems....his words!! He remembered his beloved parents, whose love and respect enabled him to become the man he was. But his life would have meant nothing with out his beautiful Rose....again his own words!  Then a few months ago Louie his great grandson arrived, and I shall take great delight telling Louie what a 'truly Great' Grandfather he had. 03.12.1922. -  23. 03. 2013