Yusuf Rahman (sample)
1948 – 2024 · Lahore → Birmingham
“Husband, father, Dada — and the best tomato grower on the street.”
Yusuf was born in Lahore in 1948, the youngest of five. He came to England in 1971 with one suitcase and an address in Small Heath written on the back of an envelope.
For thirty years he drove buses out of the Birmingham depot, most of them on the number 11. Regulars knew him by name, and he knew theirs. At home he was the quiet centre of a busy house — four children, then nine grandchildren, and a kitchen that always had a pot of chai on.
Every summer the allotment produced more tomatoes than the family could eat, so the whole street ate them too.
1948
Born in Lahore
1971
Arrived in Birmingham
1974
Married Amina
1979–1991
Four children born
1981
Began thirty years on the number 11 bus route
2009
Retired — and took on a second allotment
2024
Returned to Allah, surrounded by family
Wedding day, 1974
The allotment, summer 1996
Eid with the grandchildren, 2018
Depot colleagues, 1999
First house on Alum Rock Road
Hajj, 2012
In a real memorial these are the family’s own photographs. Placeholders are used here because the example person is fictional.
Nine grandchildren
“Dada taught me to plant tomatoes and to never rush a cup of chai. I still do both.”
— Bilal (grandson)
“He drove the number 11 and knew every regular by name. The street is quieter without him.”
— Mrs Clarke (neighbour)
“Thirty years and never once late. A gentleman to every passenger.”
— Imran (colleague)
- Burial ground
- Example Muslim Cemetery, Birmingham
- Section
- C
- Plot
- 142
- Directions
- Enter by the main gate, follow the path left past the prayer hall; third row from the wall.
Relatives visiting from abroad can find the grave without having to ask around.