INTRODUCTION

These reminiscences are being recorded chiefly for my children, other relatives and everyone else who may be interested.

They necessarily will not document all of the events and influences which have happened during my lifetime. Neither will they contain much information about other members of my family. They will essentially be relatively common experiences of a growing child and a young man in the early years of the twentieth century, followed by some possibly unique developments in adult life.

Chapter One contains an excerpt from my brother Clifford's memoirs. It is inserted, not only because of its content, but because it will give the readers some insight into his character and the precision of his diction. He was my closest companion for many years and his influence is immeasurable.

W. E. P.