Family shocked as pair of inseparable brothers die within two weeks

BACHELOR farmer Alec Ward was found collapsed on the floor of his bedroom just two weeks after his brother Stanley died.

The two well-known farmers from Hollington shared a home on Churchill Close, Uttoxeter, after retiring 10 years ago.

Stanley was 88 when he died on Christmas Day and his son, Cecil, aged 48, travelled from his home on the Isle of Skye with his wife, Janet, and their two pet dogs to join the family in mourning.

Stanley had suffered a suspected heart attack before his death and was treated at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire before being allowed to return home.

His son and wife made the 461-mile ferry and car journey to Uttoxeter, which included an overnight stop for them on the England-Scotland border before completing the trip on Boxing Day.

They stayed at the two brothers' detached home and on New Year's Day Alec, aged 81, was found collapsed on the floor of his bedroom.

He was taken to the same hospital where his brother had been treated, and detained on the stroke ward and was treated for pneumonia.

Alec, who had previously been diagnosed with diabetes, which had damaged organs within his body, died on Saturday, January 9.

Cecil is a self-employed computer consultant who has lived on the Isle of Skye for almost 12 years.

He said: "I got the call about my father's death on Christmas morning and threw everything into the car.

"It has been a horrendous time. The last time I saw my father was in August 2009.

"My dad was a remarkable man. I am really proud of my dad.

"I never knew my Uncle Alec to be melancholy. He was naturally cheerful and friendly.

"They farmed together all their lives before retiring in 2000. They were inseparable. Both were inspirational."

The Ward family had farmed both dairy and beef on the 130-acre Gravelly Bank Farm at Hollington since the turn of the last century.

Cecil's mother and Stanley's wife, Elsie, who was born in 1919, died several years ago, aged 86. Cecil has a sister, Jane, aged 46, who lives at Wetley Rocks.

His descendants were well-known cabinet makers and have lived in the area for many years.

Stanley and Alec took over the family farm at Hollington from their father, John Charles Ward, and continued to run the enterprise until ill-health forced them to retire in 2000 and buy a home in Uttoxeter.

Denis Salt, a neighbour of the Wards when they farmed at Hollington, said: "They were really hard working people. It was a great shock when I heard they had both died so close to one another."

A funeral service for Stanley was held a week last Tuesday at Uttoxeter Methodist Church, and was followed by interment at the town's cemetery.

A service for his brother Alec will take place next Friday at Uttoxeter Methodist Church at 11am.