John Robert Maynard (Me)

Born 1935 I lived through the second world war and remember the air raids and carrying a gas mask to school. Many nights we were woken up to go to the air raid shelter at the bottom of the garden but as the war progressed people got very relaxed about air raids and would more often than not just invite some neighbours round for a beer or two.

After they were married my parents rented a really old tumble down house but then in 1939 moved to a brand new council house in Friar Park, Wednesbury. My father was a hot drop forger which was a vital occupation so was not called to serve in the armed forces - he spent the war years making shell casings.

I was very fortunate as, after the war, there began something of a social revolution in U.K. I passed the 11+ exam and went on to Wednesbury Boy's High School in 1947. This had been a private fee paying school just a few years earlier. After O levels in 1952 I had to leave - I would have loved University but it was out of the question financially so I started an engineering apprenticeship with a local company. For the 5 years of the apprenticeship we were given one day off each week to attend college but also had to attend for 2 nights.

Before starting a "proper job" I had to do my 2 years National Service and I was fortunate to do this in the Royal Navy as a Radio Operator.

I met my wife Gwen (Shayler) at work and we started dating in 1955, we got engaged in 1957 as I left for my spell in the navy. I finished National Service in November 1959 and we married in July 1960.Our children are:-

 Tasha Ruth     Born November 1970

Stefan John  Born July 1972

Christopher Robert  Born October 1975

We now have 6 grandchildren.

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