I came into the world on Sunday, 18 February 1940. The Second World War had erupted only a few months earlier, and Britain was already plunged into uncertainty and fear. Families everywhere faced separation, sacrifice, and the daily challenge of survival.

Amid all that chaos, a new life began—mine.

I joined my father, my mother, and my three older brothers: Michael, born in 1933; Lionel, in 1934; and David, in 1936.

On my birth certificate, my father's occupation was simply recorded as "Businessman", but he was so much more than a title. He was charming, warm-hearted, and full of energy. He had the rare gift of making people feel welcome and could light up any room with his personality. Despite the challenges of being Jewish during those difficult times, he faced life with dignity, kindness, and resilience.

Sadly, he passed away in September 1951, when I was only eleven years old. Although our time together was far too short, he left me with values that have stayed with me throughout my life: integrity, compassion, and the importance of hard work.

My mother was younger than my father and came from Dover, Kent. I have few direct memories of those earliest years, but through the stories she shared, I came to understand what an extraordinary woman she was. Warm, loving, and endlessly devoted to her family, she possessed remarkable strength. Her culinary skills were legendary, but it was her love, courage, and determination that truly held our family together through life's greatest challenges.

In 1941, as the war intensified, our family moved from Antrobus Street to Waltham Abbey. My brothers were evacuated to Wales for their safety, but I was still too young to leave my mother's side, so I remained with her. We were separated from my brothers until 1945.

The threat of nightly bombing raids, rationing, and the uncertainty of wartime became the backdrop to my earliest years. Like thousands of other British families, we simply did what was necessary to survive.

Looking back now, I realise those early experiences shaped me in ways I could never have understood at the time. They taught me resilience, the importance of family, and a deep appreciation for the peace and security that so many people today take for granted.

My family's story was, in many ways, the story of countless ordinary families who lived through extraordinary times.

And this is where my story begins.