I was born into a coal mining family, All my adult relatives worked in the coal mines, every day we hoped that my father would be safe as he worked on the pit face, a very dangerous job.

We lived in a terraced house, which was basical two up and two down, it had a small front room and a smaller kitchen, two bedrooms upstairs, dads room and the smaller boxlike room where us three brothers slept in one bed ---

Due to long absences from school I did not fare well in exams and therefore spent most of my schooling, being beaten for not trying by teachers - That was the way in those days -

At the age of 15 yrs old, I became an apprentice fitter, but due to no knowledge of mathematics, I did not do well at college, I also became aware that there was a world out there to be discovered,

(Photo of Me at 16 yrs old)

My childhood friend was John, we grew up in the same street, he was a Grammar School boy, and shortly after leaving school became a manager in a travel agency. We are still friends.

Here is John with his mum and sister.



M

John and Pat (His wife) to right, 2007 on holiday

I left home when I was 18 yrs old and joined The 1st Bn KOYLI, I had my first bath inside a building after I joined the army, read my sites pages what happened to me in the army.

I met and married a lovely lady in Malaya -- we had two girl children, who are now grown up, My dear wife died after we were married 27 years, I later got married to a lovely lady.


I am now retired from the Forces and I still have GREAT army mates.


Cede Nullis