Description
In 945, Brian’s father came back from the war and the family returned to live in London. Bucolic country ways were replaced with a rougher, tougher existence where boys played in gangs on the bomb sites left by the Blitz and were beaten for minor misdemeanours at school. Nevertheless, Brian’s talent for art was recognised and he received encouragement that stood him in good stead for the rest of his life.
He holidayed with his beloved Tredgett family in Saffron Walden into his teens, roaming the countryside with friends; fishing, cycling and exploring. He earned money picking potatoes or working in the fields at harvest time. Remembering his wartime pet rabbit, that he was told had ‘gone to visit its family’ but had not returned, he was careful not to catch any when the reaper approached the last of the standing corn.
