By the time of my first birthday in September, 1944 the D Day landings had taken place.

My father had been away at sea for a year and my mother was 2 months pregnant.

She had fallen in love with another man, and that changed the lives of us all.

His name was John, and he was in the US Navy.

When his ship returned after D Day he was stationed at Hungerford. He arranged a place for my mother and me and we moved to Nolton, West Wales.

Mother with me wearing a pork pie hat

and me with a baton from the US Navy.

Christmas 1944 was a difficult time for my mother.

A son from her husband, away at sea; a new baby on the way from her lover, and no way could she go to the States and leave me behind.

1945 would be a year of decision.