David John KEETCH Son of William James Webster KEETCH (1907-1975) and Ivy Ellen KING (1907-1995), was born on 6 June 1940 at 9.00.am.in Plaistow, Essex at Howards Road Maternity Hospital. Baptism I was baptised into the Church of England on 7 July 1940 at St.Stephen's Church, Upton Park, but now do not follow any religion. Residence East Ham: Between June 1940 and December 1963 I lived with my parents at 59 Eversleigh Road, East Ham, Essex. Nottingham: at university I spent one term in digs with Miss V.L.Stevens at 23 Bingham Road, Sherwood and the rest of the time in digs with Mrs E.C.Moule (later Sargent) at 39 Acourt Street, Hyson Green. Dundee: From January 1963 to April 1964 I lived in Dundee, first in digs with Mrs Gordon at Thompson St and later at The Storrier flat, 5 Paradise Road. Cambridge: From June 1965 to June 1966 I was in Cambridge living at a flat in Bateman Street, for about six months, then moved to Flat3, 102 Huntingdon Road. Manchester: Between April 1965 and October 1977 I lived in Manchester. Firstly at Cunningham Road, Victoria Park for six months, a flat located on top floor of a hugh Victorian mansion, (now demolished for University student accommodation), then at Bold Street, Moss Side for four years, until it was demolished under slum clearance, and finally at a Council flat in a tower block, 26, Bagnall Court, Royle Green Road, Northenden . Darlington: After November 1977 I moved to Darlington, Co.Durham. Living initially for one year at Council Flat No.17, 28 Gilling Cresent and subsequently buying my own semi-detached house at 54 The Leas. Education Primary I was educated in East Ham at Hartley Ave Primary School from April 1945 to July 1951 Secondary East Ham Grammar School for Boys between September 1951 and July 1958. "O" level: Eng Lang, French, Latin, Mathematics, Gen Science, Addl Gen science "A" level: Pure maths, Applied Maths, Physics, Chemistry University At Nottingham University between October 1958 and June 1961 graduating with B.Sc. (Maths & Statistics) Teacher Training between September 1961 and June 1962 in London University Institute of Education. Occupation Holiday employment as a student: Four sessions of working as a Catering Assistant behind the counter of a Lyons Tea shop - twice at Mansion House, twice at Westminster, (right opposite Big Ben); six weeks as a General Labourer on a Paddington building site, working for Paul du Feu, converting a Victorian house into flats; one summer working as an Assistant Electrician for a school friend helping to rewire houses. Career employment Between 1 July 1962 and August 1963 I was the Theatre Electrician at the Queens Theatre, Hornchurch, Essex. Throughout August 1963 I was the Production Manager for Focus Opera Group (an amateur group formed at the London Institute of Education) at the Edinburgh Festival. Between September 1963 and December 1963 I was a Touring Electrician with The Welsh Theatre Company visiting theatres and school halls throughout Wales. January 1964 to May 1965 Lighting Designer/Production Manager at Dundee Repertory Theatre, Lochee Road. June 1965 to June 1966 Chief Electrician at Cambridge Arts Theatre. June 1966 to October 1972 Chief Technician then Production Manager then Manager at Manchester Library Theatre. October 1972 to November 1977 Theatre Director at the Opera Theatre, Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester Between 1977 and 1993 I was the Theatre Manager at Darlington Civic Theatre. I took early retirement on 11 July 1993. Leisure interests Family History: I started my research in 1991 but things really took off after I retired and was able to visit the Record Offices for Somerset, Devon, Dorset and Essex. Motor Caravaning: My early retirement/redundancy pay enabled me to buy my first motor home - Previous to that I did my holiday camping with a tent. Now have my third motorhome - all purchased from new. Have been to most places in the UK but Europe does not appeal to me. Computing: My first computer was purchased in 1981. I am now using number six. Music: I enjoy all types of classical music but especially Grand Opera and Early Music.