Spike's parting words

Madam, – Your correspondent (HEALTHplus, October 19th) states that the epitaph inscribed on the gravestone of Spike Milligan…

Madam, – Your correspondent (HEALTHplus, October 19th) states that the epitaph inscribed on the gravestone of Spike Milligan reads, “I told you I was sick”. This is incorrect.

He had wanted this as his epitaph but the relevant authorities refused permission and instead the following is inscribed on the headstone in the cemetery of St Thomas’s Church in Winchelsea, East Sussex: “Duirt me leat go raibh me breoite”. – Yours, etc,

PADRAIC de BHALDRAITHE,

Leitir Mealláin,

Co na Gaillimhe.