I was born in West Hartlepool in 1938. I am the eldest of 10 children. My father served in the army during the war. We went to live with my aunt in Bishop Auckland for a couple of years until my dad came home when we returned to West Hartlepool. I lived in Havelock Street when I was very young and after the war in Burbank and Pilgrim Streets. When I was old enough I joined the W.R.A.F.