I first met Nihad as young students in Bournemouth in late 1966 when I was 20 and he 21 years old. I was introduced to him by another 20 years old Iraqi student Emmanuel (Mano) Gulla, who knew him from Baghdad College. Thus, the three of us became almost inseparable 'buddies' for the next 3-4 years, at the end of which I moved North to do my post-graduate degree at Manchester University.  Being away from my own family, during those few years I saw Nihad as an elder brother (my own brothers back in Baghdad being younger than myself). He came across as a confident young man, always full of life, cheerful and smiling. 


Nihad was a very sociable and hospitable person.  I remember him and Jackie entertaining friends at their home when Nihad and another friend Saleem would sometimes play the guitar and sing some popular songs by Cliff Richard and others. Nihad came from a reasonably well-to-do family but was never arrogant, quite the opposite; which made him a very likeable character and therefore very popular among friends and associates. He was generous, too. During our summer breaks from college, we used to work as waiters in hotel restaurants. One year, Nihad's father was over on a visit from Baghdad. He used to take Nihad out to lunch almost every day. Whenever I was off work Nihad would insist that I go to lunch with him and his dad and always refused to let me pay for my lunch. 


I also remember very well when I passed my driving test in 1968 and I mentioned to Nihad that I was keen on buying a cheap second-hand car.  He immediately wanted to help and said he'll get something sorted. After a few days, he suggested that I buy one from a good car dealer he knew well. Little did I know that he had already chosen a car to suit my student budget at the time; a £300 nice clean pale green Ford Corsair. That car served me so well until I finished university, got married, and started my full-time employment as a water engineer in 1972, and beyond.  I was grateful for Nihad's help.



The two other occasions that I 'bumped into' Nihad were one when I was working in Cornwall for a year, and then when on holiday some 20 years later. At the end of my assignment as a trainee engineer, my mother came over from Baghdad to see me in late summer 1970. We were driving from Cornwall to visit a cousin of mine in London. Although my mum had heard me talk about Nihad and his wife Jackie, she had never met them. So, I suggested that we reroute to pass through Bournemouth. Luckily for us, Nihad and Jackie were at home when we called and to our surprise they had a few months old baby, Nadeem, in their arms. So, at last my mum had the chance to meet and enjoy the company of Nihad and Jackie in person. As for me it was a very short and sweet reunion with them, as we left them to tend to their first baby and continued our drive towards London, not knowing when I would meet them again.


Around 20 years later, my wife and I and our two children were down from Manchester for a short break in the New Forest. Nihad and I had kept in touch on and off during the years and so I knew they had moved house to Ringwood, on the edge of the New Forest.  Again, I knew I couldn't miss the rare opportunity of paying a visit to my old friend.  At the time, my daughter Louise and son Daniel were 13 and 10 respectively. We were also aware that Nihad and Jackie had two more children since Nadeem; namely, their daughters Vanessa and Janine, who happened to be around the same ages as our children. I remember the joy and excitement of meeting N&J again, this time with my wife and children, too. Despite having other visitors on the day, they made us very welcome. Louise and Janine even played on the piano together. They took us to a sports club where the children had a swim in the pool and we all enjoyed an evening meal together before saying our goodbyes....for the last time. 


Yes, sadly, I never had the chance to see Nihad again, although we tried to keep in touch by telephone, emails, and more recently, via WhatsApp. However, despite the physical distance between us, I can honestly say that Nihad featured very prominently amongst the few true friends that I have had in my 75 years.  I will always remember his great warmth and kindness with immense love and affection.


Rest in peace, my dear friend.


Ramzi (Aram) Melconian

P.S. Photos below were taken by me and kept in an a photo album.