Does anyone know more details about the life of the real "Tristan?" His life and cause of death seem to be shrouded in mystery. Did he marry, have children?? What was his cause of death? Why are the details of his life seemingly unknown??
shareThe son of the real James Herriot wrote a memoir which has some information about Bryan. He did marry but there is no mention of children. Aroud 1980 Brian became very ill, wasting away from an unknown ailment. He was in the hospital for months and Donald, his brother, made the decision to bring him home and let him die with dignity. But James persuaded him to let the hospital keep trying to save him. They finally bombarded him with a lot of medication and he got well and lived several more years before he died from a heart attack.
shareThanks very much for the info. Sounds like aids which would account for all the privacy. If so, It's better alone. I figured there was a reason why there are so few details of his life availabe. Haven't read The Real James Herriot so maybe there will be more there. Again, thanks
shareActually, the book mentioned it was thought to be a "pituitary gland problem." And he was cured of it for several years so I don't think it could have been AIDS. In 1980 they were usually dying right away (usually from pneumonia) because they did not have the medications they have now. Also, people with AIDS don't usually die of a heart attack. I'm not so sure that anything was secretive - it's just that most people were more interested in the life of James Herriot. My two cents worth!
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