| Description | DOB: 1914
DOD: Unknown
Born in Beston, near Nottingham, England, during the onset of WWI.
Grew up in Beston and then moved to Ramsey, a small town in the Fens.
Early memories include wartime gas-powered buses, Zeppelin air raids, and playful mischief in the neighbourhood.
Attended Miss Brown's private school, then a mixed elementary school in Ramsey.
Enjoyed sports like football and cricket but disliked history and exams.
Stayed an extra six months in school before employment.
Continued education through correspondence courses, taught himself typewriting and shorthand.
First job as a junior cler in a solicitor's office in Ramsey. Served in various community roles including clerk to councils, burial boards, and magistrates' court.
Military service during WWII.
Post-war career included work in London city offices, international business travel, and committee secretary roles.
Married to Nancy
Lived in London and later in self-contained council flats.
Marriage involved periods of illness and convalescence but also resilience and shared experiences.
Choir singing and church activities.
Boy scouts, cricket, football.
Music: Played mouth organ, homemade instrumnts, trumpet, and saxophone; formed a small dance band.
Outdoor activities: skating, cycling, and later driving.
Lifelong love for sports including football, cricket, tennis, and greyhound racing.
Keen interest in the arts, theatre and exhibitions.
Witnessed both world wars: Zeppelin raiods in WWI, served in WWII.
Wartime service and later demobilisation.
Experienced the London Blitz, V1 and V2 attacks.
Serious illness with a perforated ulcer; first car accident in London.
Numerous overseas business trips, notably to the Netherlands.
Air travel adventures with near-miss landings, turbulent flights, and mechanical issues.
Type-written
Beston, Ramsey, World War I, Zeppelin raids, Ramsey Abbey, elementary school, sports, choir, Scouts, Solicitor’s office, WWII service, Post Office, London, marriage, Nancy, music, dance band, cricket, football, air raids, rationing, driving, public transport, international business, air travel, hospitals, resilience. |