I was born in 1949, the youngest son in a family of four, to John and Maggie Ryles. John, my father, being a self made man. after his time at sea, during the Second World War, he opened three General dealer shops. as rationing was still the norm, we all had to pull our weight, stocking shelves and serving customers. I was raised Church Of England and in the house, discipline was strict. My parents were Victorian in their rules and it soon became clear that my life had been mapped out for me. I was to work in the family business but, sensing I would be trapped for life, I made the decision to go to sea, enrolling for duty in 1966. After five at sea, my first born brought me home. The itchy foot and good work opportunity took us to Canada in 1973. Returning to the UK in 1979. I then worked as a security officer at the University of Sunderland for eighteen year, until ill health put me into retirement.