Served in the First World War where he was gased.
Worked as a young man greasing the tram lines in Douglas.
Bus Driver then Conductor for Douglas Corporation.
In later years, worked at the Derby Castle Horse Car Depot, ( Grandads Clock )
Moved to live with Daughter after death of Wife in the 1960's.
I remember playing cricket with him in the garden at Syston , Leicester, where he would sit on a seat and 'bowl' while I did everything else.
Always was ill during the life of my mother, due to the gasing in WW1.
When living in Leicestershire, he spent a lot of time at Syston British Legion, possibily working on the door. He also enjoyed a bet on a horse or 2.
Family story about one week when he did the football pools and 8 draws would win a jackpot. He mistakeinly choose 9 games instead of 8, got all 9, but as he chose too many games, the coupon was void and he got nothing.
He spent some time visiting his son Albert in Basford , Nottingham where he stayed with his wife Eva and his two Grand Sons Richard and Alan.
Mum and Dad once took their parents somehow to London for a trip. They tried to cross a busy road at Buckingham Palace as one of them was heard to say "they can't knock you over ! "
Another story of when living in the Isle of Man, he found a baby in the street. Asked his wife "Can we keep it ? " , and meant it . When in Syston I remember a similar story when little Jimmy turned up with a lost great dane dog bigger than him , and wanted to keep it. This was on the way home from the Legion.
I remember my parents going out one night leaving me with him. When they returned, the old boxer dog Bruce had died of old age. He was my parents baby before I was born.
I used to spend time in his bedroom, he was often unwell in bed. He had a small cigar box that contained bits and bobs of no value, some old postcards etc, and a medal I think from Leicester , maybe a commemorative one ? Under his bed was always dusty. He slept in the back bedroom of the bungalow at Syston, a room I later inherited.
I also remember as a youngster of about 9 going out into the garden as Grandad had died at home in bed.
He was cremated at Loughborough, Leicestershire. His name and a crest of the Isle of Man is in the book of rememberence for the day he died. His name was added to the family grave back in Douglas, IOM, just opposite the TT Grandstand. It is on the left hand boundary as you enter , towards the top corner, near the Willeston gate..
Picture 1.
James Alfred Caley, my grandfather born in Douglas in 1896. He is pictured here in Douglas Corporation bus drivers uniform. The photograph was taken at 9 Hillside Avenue, Douglas, Isle of Man.
Picture 2.
James Alfred Caley, my grandfather with my grandmother, Margaret Louisa Caley. Also shown knelling is Sylvia Hunter, my mothers niece. The photograph was taken at 9 Hillside Avenue, Douglas, Isle of Man.
