I lived at No. 2 Cross Street with my mother, father and brothers. My mother was the 'Toffee Apple' lady, she made toffee apples of all kinds and flavours, and also toffee pears. My father was a small but extremely strong man. He worked at the Dockyard.

This being so my early life was much more comfortable than many of the poorer section. I can remember my mother used to buy extra bread to help neighbours. I was sent to Kent Street Boys' School. When I left school I went to work at Perk's Stores in Queen Street, I did general cleaning work and deliveries. When the general manager came I used to clean his car and I had a good tip for this.

Later I went to work in the Dockyard until I retired, after receiving the Imperial Service Medal.

As I went home on workdays I passed Timothy Whites on the corner of North Street. I used to watch a young lady dressing the window and made directional signs as she placed articles into position. Later we walked out together and she became my wife. We have just celebrated our Golden Wedding anniversary