In his first book ‘Wassa Matter Mate, Somebody ‘Itchyer ?’ the author wrote of a World War Two childhood and gave a detailed but light-hearted account of typical contemporary playthings, culture and surroundings - innumerable triggers to remind us all of the nineteen forties. ‘The Key Of The Door’ continues the story through the adolescent years, from grammar school to the first job, the interlude of National Service and the Royal Air Force, with the shock of square bashing followed by the uproarious life on camp, and then the return to a new job in ‘civvy street’ and receiving ‘the key of the door’ at twenty one. What makes this biography special is the nostalgia and evocative social history of that era around London. Capturing a childhood In the forties (1940's) and fifties (1950's) dances, pubs, jazz and popular music (exploding forever the myth that there was no teenage music in the post-War pre-Rock and Roll era). The Soho youth and Teenagers scene, a Paris adventure, jazz clubs and the jass revival and the experiences of an amateur jazz musician. The drinking, smoking and laughter, and the endless quest for true romance, anecdotal, amusing, entertaining, this is a rich slice of social history, not just for Londoners, but for all who wish to discover or re-live those times. An Insight Into life In and around Twickenham, Richmond, Osterley, Isleworth, Innesworth, Hednesford, London Airport and Heathrow, In the forties and fifties.
TONY BETTS was born in Isleworth in 1935, and lived there until the mid-1960’s. He was educated at Isleworth County School, worked for two years with an insurance company in The City, and did two years National Service with the RAF, then spent the next two years with BEA at London’s burgeoning Heathrow Airport. He progressed from there into industrial administration, trained in O. & M. at Cranfield, and eventually became a computer systems development manager, working for British and American firms in the retail industry, insurance, pharmaceuticals, defence and engineering. He and his wife have retired, and in addition to writing, he follows his other interests of music, and social and family history.