Rex Pattison
Rex was born in England during World War II, grew up in Africa, married in England and emigrated to Canada. He started writing because he wanted his grandchildren to know what life was like in postwar Britain, and before the age of electronics.; then he couldn’t stop! His book became a series, all told with humour, giving an insight into a world that no longer exists.
Rex was a total failure as a career planner, having at least eight distinct responsibilities across four different industries. Despite having no degree, he attained Fellowships in three different disciplines and won several awards. It all goes to show you can’t take life too seriously!
Memoires from Another Planet
Series
Shakespeare suggested man lives through seven stages. While we may not always agree with his categorization, it is true that we can look back and see our lives as distinct periods, each of which had a part in forging who we are today. So, rather than write a single memoir Rex has written about his experience in each phase, set in a world that was changing rapidly.
Establishing a Foothold – Being born in Wartime Britain
Book 1 of this memoir covers the story of the author from conception during Word War II to the age of twelve. It has been a voyage of discovery for the author as he verifies vague memories through research, meeting many wonderful people along the way. Starting in a farm in the county of Devon in England’s West Country, to the town of Deal* on the English Channel, and on to Hayes on the outskirts of London, this book not only follows the geography of southern England, but a time that covers the last part of a war and the painful recovery after it ended; all from the perspective of a small boy.
* In an unusual turn of events, another of our authors (David Skardon) has made an 18 minute video of Rex’s chapter on Deal. It can be viewed here.
African Adventure – Growing up in Kenya during an ‘Emergency’
Book 2 of this memoir relocates to Kenya as Rex continues his life’s journey in a totally alien environment. Not only was the country physically and culturally strange, but it was a battleground with the administration fighting the Mau Mau who were pushing back against Colonial rule. While there only from the age of twelve to sixteen, these were formative years which left an indelible mark on Rex.
Books 3-8 Not Yet Published
‘Rex continues his story with his experience of adjusting back to a British lifestyle at the age of 16, and then exploring Europe as a 19 and 20 year-old.’
Book 3 – Back to Blighty
Adolescence in Postwar England
Book 4 – Exploring Europe
Hitchhiking to the West of the Iron Curtain
Children’s Books
Rex retraces a trip he and his wife took in 2005, but tells it through the eyes of his grandchildren. Journey with them through South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Kenya with a side trip to Zambia’ as they visit strange cultures, amazing sights, and wild animals.
Rex makes his daughter’s family’s Christmas Village come alive with a story featuring his son and daughter-in-law and their dog.
Oldcroft Publishing 