1943.  1943 was my Year of Destiny!  I came top of my class in Standard 4 at Junction Road School, much to the delight of Mr. (Bill) Occomore.  He called me his 'Peerless Pupil' but I guess he was risking giving me ideas above my station!  He cycled each day from Harold Wood to give us kids the benefit of his wisdom, including how to set out a letter properly!  I've found that ability very valuable in the years that followed.   Later I came to know him more closely, as after his retirement he was ordained, and kindly sent me donations towards my outreach work at the Essex Show in later years.  Joyce and I visited him at the St. Francis Hospice, Havering-atte-Bower, near Romford, when he was dying from cancer.  I will of course explain later how Joyce came into my life, but you'll have to wait until 1958 for that. Maybe 1958 was my Year of Destiny!

1943 was notable for the fact that my sister Jean and I were taken on holiday to Kingstanding, Birmingham, to stay with Aunty Lily, my Dad's sister, Uncle Olly and my three cousins, Cicely, Ivy and Pat.  We were very lucky to have a holiday in those War years! I remember kicking a ball in their back garden, and it smashed a bedroom window.  I got a clip round the ears for that!  Serves me right - I was probably showing off to Cicely, as I think I fancied her!  Here we are playing in the local park.

• I don't have  much memory of Uncle Olly, but I think he was usually  sitting in the corner of the room, apparently a bit the worse for the wear for alcohol! 

So I sat the 11plus, and also the Foundation Scholarship for Brentwood School.  I was successful, and gained a Foundation Scholarship, which meant that all my fees were paid.  But there were lots of extras - shirts with Eton collars, school cap, blazer with Brentwood School badge, football boots, cricket boots, etc, etc.   So my parents forked out for all this, and I'm sure there were many sacrifices to enable me to get this great start in life.  My Dad came with me for the interview with Jimmy Hough the Headmaster, who was quite a fearsome guy, but also very kind   I remember he said that he prefers playing cricket with a hard ball, as it's easier to catch (so he said!)  He could wield the cane very effectively, as I found out later!

Here's a picture of the school, taken in 1955 

So in September 1943, I appeared in Middle 2, under the watchful eye of Mr. Ashbee, known as 'Basher' Ashbee.  He had a wooden leg, as a result of his  service in World War 1.  We had regular tests of all subjects. and the results were read out to the whole class, so everyone knew who was on top, and who was lagging behind.  Once he read out the list starting with Harrison, and then said 'sorry I read it the wrong way up!' Harrison was bottom  of the class, so everyone knew, and Harrison had a red face!  That sort of treatment wouldn't be allowed today!