9th January 1948: Born at the Mothers Hospital, Hackney.
1952: Family moved from Romford when my parents decided to run a guest house at Westward Ho! – for which I am eternally grateful! My brother Andrew had come along by this time.
1953 – 1958: Attended Stella Maris Convent – passed 11+
September 1958: Commenced secondary education at Bideford Grammar School. Not the brightest pupil but managed to garner the requisite 5 ‘O’ level passes to enable me to join the Merchant Navy (+ 1 spare). Some of my contemporaries are not enamoured of the teaching but I thought it was a good all-round education – might have been better if I hadn’t messed about but that was my fault. Left December 1964.
March 1965; Joined the New Zealand Shipping Company as Deck Apprentice and remained at sea for the rest of my working life, sailing with various shipping companies and retiring in 2007 – the last 20 years or so as Captain. In 1970 I had met up with my brother in Yokohama when our respective ships were in port; long odds considering we were employed by different outfits.
While on my second trip in late ’65 my parents moved away from Devon and I lost touch with the area and my school mates, all excepting Ian Roberts who I kept in contact with. In 2009, however, I was contacted by Neil Cooper through Friends Reunited and informed of a reunion in Hammersmith. Five school chums who I hadn’t seen for some 45 years and I had a great night out and have kept in touch ever since. John Blackmore, Pat Murray and I meet up 3 or 4 times a year in London or did do until the pandemic struck. Have also had two or three cabinet meetings in North Devon including a memorable one at the Beaver, Appledore.
Never married or had kids so have saved a bit of money and now divide my time between a house near Hythe in Kent and a flat in Bethnal Green, east London. Arsenal season ticket holder.
NB The Mothers Hospital is now an old people’s home so it is not beyond the bounds of possibility that I could start and end life’s journey in the same building!
