Biography

104

This book highlights the life of the author from his birth in 1940 to his departure from war-torn London in 1952.

It may seem strange that I should start this book in the East end of London but that’s pretty much where my life started. I said ‘pretty much’ because I was conceived in London but two weeks prior to my birth my mother was evacuated to Nottingham to avoid Hitler’s onslaught on London in 1940. My father remained at home to try and demoralize the German air force by making out that they were having very little impact on London life. They also believed that what luck the Gerrys (German soldiers) were having would soon be overcome by British resolve combined with a stiff upper lip, nose to the grindstone, shoulder to the wheel and keeping ones best foot forward with ones chin up. I never saw anyone in this position but I am sure it would have been quite alarming for a young child.