I was born and still reside in Anlaby, bordering Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire. After being educated at Ainthorpe Grove School, and the Hull Trinity House Navigation School, I commenced a career as a seagoing navigation officer in the British Merchant Navy. My wife, Judy, and I have been married since 1971 (the original) Richard & Judy. We have three children, Mandy, Emma and Thomas plus a granddaughter Layla.
Since retiring from the Merchant Service due to ill-health, I have occupied my time researching local history, with an emphasis on the lost public houses, of Hull’s Old Town, some of which has subsequently been published. A further bout of ongoing ill-health, which has included a heart attack, and a heart-bypass operation (failed) has forced a curtailment of that line of research.
Through the Internet however, I have been able to keep alive my life long interest of history and archaeology of all kinds and all periods. Health permitting, my other pursuits include drawing, painting, photography, and for the last couple of years, the compilation of a gazetteer of post Conquest fortifications in Yorkshire and associated heraldry. A bit of a natter box, I can often be found chatting to other FF’s on an evening, Stella, my somewhat temperamental but infamous ‘puter, permitting.
Special Interest Areas
All history from the Big Bang to World War II, with emphasis, on fortifications of Yorkshire, nautical history, the Napoleonic Wars and the obligatory Roman and Medieval periods.