From the Rootsweb website IRL-SLIGO-L Archives Wed, 27 Feb 2002 One of the greatest original comedians has just died. Spike Milligan RIP. Spike Milligan was born April 16, 1918 to Leo and Florence Milligan in Ahmed Nagar, India. His father was a Captain in the British Raj and Spike lived in India until he was fifteen. At that time, his father retired from the military and the family moved to England. The Milligan family moved to Woy Woy on the NSW Central Coast of Australia in the 1950s but Spike remained in England. In the 1950's he joined Peter Sellers, Harry Secombe, and sometimes His 1963 novel Puckoon, is set in a slightly surreal Sligo village. Here is what he had to say in an interview with Van Morrison: "My father was born in Sligo, Van, very Irish working class family, very poor. He used to live in a romantic world. He loved a drink, he was full of stories. He came to me one day and said, I've never killed a tiger. I said, Why are you telling me? Well I've got to tell somebody! I thought all fathers were like this lunatic. He used to tell the kids all these stories, about shooting elephants, strangling giraffes by hand. I said, What's all this, Dad? It's all lies isn't it? He said, Oh yes, all lies. But what would you rather have: a boring truth, or an exciting lie?" Yes, this is a great loss to us all. So few really brilliant comedians of his stature are with us anymore.. and just when we need as much absurd wonderful humor as we can get! Will have to look for Puckoon that you've mentioned. Here's a link about Spike sent me thru one of my newsgroups.. http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/entertainment/tv_and_radio/newsid_1843000/1 Thanks Jim for this snippet, I did not know Spike's father was from Sligo. Yes Jim a great loss. He used to visit Australia very regularly to see his Mum & Dad on the North Coast. We would see him on TV & out & about. i once had the pleasure of meeting Spike and later sent him a photograph of the old British Army Barracks in Sligo where his father was stationed. He was a great man and will be sadly missed. 'There's a greatspirit gone,' as Shakespeare said. Spike was a one-off and we'll never see his like again. He will be greatly missed. Our local paper here in Toms River, New Jersey (Asbury Park Press) has an obit in today's paper reference Spike Milligan (rip). It's a lengthy notice and included comments from Prince Charles who wrote him often when he was a child. Very fitting for such a popular person. I never got to see Mr. Milligan, but I can see how he was revered by so many. I join | ||
