I was born on the 9th May 1933 at 17 Charlotte Street, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire.
        In 1937 I started school at the Franciscan Convent where I stayed until 1945. The next year was spent at the Melton Mowbray Modern Boy's School before entering on a two year contract at the District Technical College. There I completed a course in engineering and left at the age of 15.

        In the next six years I underwent an apprenticeship with the East Midlands Electricity Board, which had been set up as a result of the recent Nationalisation of the Electricity Supply Industry. At the end of my apprenticeship as an Electrician, I was called up for National Service and completed four years with the RAF as a Radar Fitter finishing with the rank of Junior Technician.

        Following 'demob' my father obtained employment for me at his place of work, the Midland Woodworking Co., as a maintenance electrician. I stayed there for six years before leaving to take up a similar post with the former works manager who had set up his own company, Frank Bailey Joinery. Unfortunately Frank died within the first year of trading and shortly afterwards the firm closed.

        As a result of the closure I started my own Electrical Contracting business in 1965 and after 30 years sold the firm, McNeill Electrical, as a going concern, taking early retirement in 1996.

        In 1962 I married Shirley Hopkins and we had two children: Angela 1963 and Christine 1965. We were separated and finally divorced in 1986.
        I then married Lynne Pugh who had a daughter, Sharon 1975 and we also have a son Ben 1986. Lynne works as a Nightcare Assistant and I was a volunteer with the Dove Cottage Day Hospice until failing eyesight forced my retirement as a driver.

        Other interests have been in the Scout Movement, Youth Clubs and the Trade Union Movement where I have completed over 60 years membership of the Electrical Trades Union (now UNITE), forty-two of which I served as the local branch Chairman. I also served as the local representative on the East Midlands Electricity Consultative Council, Melton Mowbray Employment Committee, Leicestershire Area Youth Committee and the Melton College Building Advisory Committee.
        My overiding interest at the moment is, Family History Research, which I have been doing since 1988 and which I am pleased to say, I am enjoying to the full.