I joined the army in 1956 when I was 15 because my dad and all my uncles were in the army and I wanted to do the same as them. I was in the army for about 12 years and I enjoyed every bit of it and wished I was still in it!…

I travelled everywhere with the army. It was terrific on the old steam trains. The old bag racks they had on the top that was my bed when I had to travel by train.

I couldn’t read or write but they sent me everywhere. Mum used to ask where I was going next time and I never knew. Wherever they want to send me – I’ll go. A lot of people did help me, the Salvation Army was good. They used to let my mother know where I was.