Uneventful early years including time in an orphanage unitl mid-teens. Conscripted into the British Army during WWII at 18, saw service in Europe during the war including taking part in the Normand...view moreUneventful early years including time in an orphanage unitl mid-teens. Conscripted into the British Army during WWII at 18, saw service in Europe during the war including taking part in the Normandy Landings (June 1944) at 19 and ending up in Germany. He returned to France (Calais) and served there until release in August 1948.
Finding civilian life somewhat dull after the excitement of the war years he reenlisted to the Army (Royal Engineers) and spent the next 26 years in a widely travelled and interesting career in unusual one off appointments including the Royal West African Frontier Force (in Accra, Gold Coast/now Ghana) with the renowned Gurkhas in India (2 years) and later in Malaya (2 more years) and the last overseas posting with the HKMSC (Chinese soldiers) in Hong Kong (3 years) interspersed with two tours of duty in Germany.
During this time he progressed from Driver/Private Soldier through the non- commissioned ranks until being commissioned as a Lieutenant and finally retiring as a Major.
After time working with the Inland Revenue he was re-employed by the Defence Ministry as a Staff Officer (Movement Plans) during the Cold War period, retiring from this last in 1986.
Since that time he has been occupied with DIY signs of which are evident throughout the house and gardening which has seen frequent innovations, pond, arches etc.
He is married to a French girl who he met immediately after war. They have two daughters, one adopted, three grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
The novel, Beausire (not the original name) was started many years ago but abandoned due to pressure of work etc., taken up recently and finished.view less