Dad was a contented child who loved the outdoors, listening to birds and going fishing. His happiest part of his childhood was when he was living in Cricklade with his Mum, Auntie Lilly and Uncle Frank. He talked about them growing vegetables in the garden and only visiting Swindon on the bus once every few months, and loved the simple life even as a child. He loved his family and was extremely close to his Mum. Dad also loved Swindon Town Football club, he collected all of their programmes and tried to attend a lot of thier games, and he made a book about them in his early teens. Dad enjoyed school and had a good group of friends. He didn't have such good luck with the girls then, he bought the popular girl at school a necklace but she did not respond to his advances!....but Dad's luck in that area improved greatly when he got a bit older!