A GREENOCK-born pensioner is appealing for the public’s help to bring him home to spend his final days closer to his late wife.

Grieving widower William Sinclair, who lives in Norfolk, lost the love of his life Cindy in tragic circumstances two years ago.

The couple both loved his home town so much he scattered her ashes here and has a memorial bench in her name at a local beauty spot.

But as his own health fails, the 81-year-old is struggling to make the journey north anymore to be near her — and is asking for Tele readers’ help to bring him home.

The former armed serviceman is desperately searching for somewhere locally to stay so he can live out the rest of his days in Inverclyde.

He said: “My heart is in Greenock, always has been and always will be. I want to die here and have my ashes laid beside my wife’s.

“I am alone and I want to be closer to Cindy. My health is getting worse and I know I don’t have many years left. 

“I have managed to come home twice on the anniversary of her death to lay flowers. 

“But my last train journey took it’s toll and left me with a damaged back and damaged nerves. I fear I wouldn’t be able to make another journey up and back down.

“I have a lovely memorial bench to Cindy on the banks of the Clyde down at Ashton.

“I want the chance to be able to go and sit there and remember her in the place we loved the most.” 

William was devastated when he lost his wife, originally from Battersea, on 17 November 2015. She was aged 72.

He said: “She had a pain in her arm and they thought it was carpel tunnel so doctors sent her to a specialist clinic.

“She went into hospital and died the next day from a ruptured heart.”

Willian left his home in Gibshill for National Service in 1957.
After leaving the forces he worked as a nightclub manager and met Cindy at the Lyceum Ballroon in London in 1961.

He said: “It was love at first sight. I knew she was the one and I asked her to marry me that same night.

“We had our picture taken in a photo booth and moved back up to Greenock for a couple of years.”

But William’s job took them back down south and they lived and settled in Norfolk.

The armed forces charity SSAFA has vowed to help William with the mechanics of moving back to Inverclyde — if he can find a suitable house.

He said: “I live in a rented bungalow but it is an empty shell without my lovely wife.

“I’m not a rich man and am looking for a small rented house with one or two bedrooms. I just want to be able to come home.

“I suffer from spinal storosis and I am almost crippled. I am praying someone will step forward.”

Anyone who can help is asked to contact the Greenock Telegraph on 558908.