Alan Herbert is a post war boom baby, born West London of working class parents. His early days spent playing on the bomb sites around Notting hill Gate but also all Hyde park and Holland park were his territory. By the age of 5 he had travelled much of England cycle and boat camping.
This is the basis for his complex if not contradictory character. A city kid that is more at home in the wild. |
his history |
He was advised to leave school at 15. Worked at various occupations until Joining the RAF at 18 as motor boat crew on RAF Marine craft. He saw service in the far east and Northern Ireland. He served 3 years in the RAF leaving as a senior aircraftsman. After various jobs including lifeguard. He Joined the Royal Navy aged 24 as a medical assistant. He had found his true calling at last. He served a further 13 years ending his career as a senior Petty Officer medical assistant( Enrolled Nurse) on Nuclear submarines.
If one word could describe him it would be adventurer. This same person that rides a motorcyle, sailed his own small boat across the north sea, climbed Mountains, run marathons and swum for charities is also an amature artist. Some of his oil paintings have been auctioned raising over 1500 pounds for charity. |
the real adventure |
Although an endurance sporter he states that Breast Cancer was an adventure he could have done without and that the treatment was the hardest trial he had ever faced. 40 years in the medical World and he had had no idea and least of all about Male Breast Cancer which is why he felt this book needed writing. His respect for women facing this disease has greatly increased through his own experiences.
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