Hall, Peter J.

'John Curtis, who comes from a long established Gloucestershire family of stone-masons, was born in Abingdon, Berkshire in 1943 during the Second World War. A childhood spent during this period of national emergency and draconian rationing, followed by the post-war era of austerity, shaped his character. Leaving school at fifteen, John worked as a hod-carrier and general labourer on the many building sites created by post-war reconstruction. Later he was employed by Henry Booth & Sons of Abingdon at their tannery. During The Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, John was a grave digger at Abingdon Mun...