As a child I was brought up by my ever so caring grandparents from the age of one year old, along with my sister Zoe. For some reason still unknown to my sister and I, we are still not sure why our biological parents had found it difficult to cope. All that said, my sister and I had the most wonderful caring up bringing we could wish for. Fourteen children of their own and now Zoe and I, made it a family house hold to be reckoned with.
Combats and Kisses
I was always into my sports, Cricket Football, Rugby I played them all. With my Grandfather being a farm worker along with a lot of what I would call my adopted brothers. We lived in a tied cottage and had acres of fields and woodland to explore. Climbing trees and building dens in the woods was an exciting part of my life, I can feel myself smiling as I sit here typing and reminiscing to myself.
As I was entering my teenage years, I was showing an interest in girls, why did I find it so difficult to communicate with them I would ask myself? I believe that with the fact I went to an all boys school and, with the fact I lived in the beautiful rural countryside of Cheshire, I never met anyone. I seem to remember climbing one of the huge Oak trees that was situated by the road side, and then, would wait for an hour knowing that a girl who I was familiar with, would ride passed on her horse. I would just enjoy that precious moment for the few minutes that she was in my sight. I do remember weeks later planting a kiss on the cheek of her face.
Leaving school was now creeping up on me and job options were swilling around my head. I remember my Grandfather talking about is time doing national service between the two wars, he was always hoping that one of the lads would follow in his footsteps, but none did. I was basically the last in line. How could I let him down? I decided that a career in the military was the least I owed him and my Grandmother for providing my sister and I with a wonderful childhood.
Leaving home on 7th May 1974 was the turning point in my life, I was now turning into a man, a man my Grandparents would be proud off. Six weeks later my Grandparents were embracing me with passion in their hearts as they came to see me at my passing out parade. I was now trying the odd cigarette, had money to spend, being able to buy my parents fish and chips for a change was pure gratitude for all their affection they showed me.
After twelve months of training it was time for me to go abroad. I was based in West Germany for the rest om my Army career, that included three tours of N’Ireland. I fell in love with an young Irish girl that could never be mine. The war that brought us together was now keeping us apart. Going back N’Ireland to see her was not an option. Or was it?
During my service I lost my father and then my mother, it was a case of now having to stand tall. I just wished they could have seen me complete my service. I know they will be looking down on me so hope they are still as proud as the first day I joined the Army. My mother managed to see her first grandchild from my first marriage before passing peacefully away, a glorious wonderful girl named Melanie. I had one more child named Tatiana before my marriage from my German lady broke up.
Once out of the Army I re-married to a wonderful caring lady called Julia. She has been my wife now for 26 years and we have two children together. Emily and Joshua. On the job front I did several meaningless jobs until I decided to become a Driving Instructor.
More things of interest are, I spent a few years as a support artiste, Coronation Street, Emmerdale, and a lot more soaps were part of my acting career. In 1984 I met the queen and made Melba Toast for her, also I was a waited on her luncheon engagement. I spent two weeks in the Mosel picking grapes and sampling wine, and in fact, I was a wines rep for six months selling wine all over Germany.
And finally, writing as not been something that I ever thought I would take-up as a past time. I always feel that I have got to be pre-occupied with some sort of task. Some years ago, after meeting my Irish girl I felt it was something I wanted to share with the world. The story about our relationship was like something from a fairy-tale. It has taken me until now to finally write my story for all to read. About five years in total it has taken me to write. Although I don’t consider myself an author the feedback I got back from Goodreads and Jera’s Jamboree was nothing more than amazing. A five-star rating had me swollen with pride.