As I enter my "Three score and ten years" age I feel it worthwhile to write a short biography. I am only too well aware of the opportunities I missed of asking my Mother and Grandmother about our family's history.

I have learned a lot talking to old friends and relatives, as well as through Ancestry.co.uk, but hope to avoid any of my descendants saying "If only Dad had told us about......"

I am conscious that this book recounts events from a long time ago and the reader needs some historical markers to fully understand the background. I have therefore added some timeline markers in red to help the reader.

I have been much encouraged by my literary soul mate from Furzedown days, namely J A Mark Emmerson. I dedicate this volume to him, my wife and my family - and to the Woods from Scotland, the Laskiers from Russia, the Roberts from Middlesex, the Jacksons from Somerset and all the others too many to mention, without whom it would never have been written.

Richard D Wood Kneller FCA
Danbury 2012