Scenes from an Examined Life

The author writes about four stages of his life. Born in 1940, he survives hazards of WW2 in a series of orphanages. He describes the fearful conditions, the sometimes brutal characters and the attitudes of boy parentless companions. Despite UK wartime hardships, they devise their own means of play and derive humour about their situation as war orphans. From 15 years to age 21, Anthony works in farming. He experiences homeless people provided with free shelter and work and is determined to devote his life in service of humanity. He ultimately achieves this goal through voluntary service in post-war Europe training in care of survivors from WW2 concentration camps, qualifying in Tropical Medicine, Antwerp Belgium. Finally, he is promoted to high ranking UK government civil service.