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My name is David Thomas and I was born on 2nd December 1960. I was brought up in the Waterloo/Crosby/Thornton suburbs of Merseyside. I left school in 1977 with 9 CSE's and 5 O'Levels and went straight into the British Merchant Navy as a Catering Boy.
I spent just 5 years going away to sea and all of them with just one company, Buries Markes. I was promoted to Assistant Steward after my 4th trip, did 2 more as Assistant Steward and went to the Collquitt Street Nautical Catering College in Liverpool to take my 2nd Cook's ticket.
I did one trip as 2nd Cook before I had to come ashore for good. I joined Liverpool City Council's Housing Department as an Assistant Cook in their Hostels for Homeless Men in 1983 and eventually went to Social services Homes for Aged Persons. It was here I met my wife Sandra before becoming Head Cook of my own kitchen in a home in Speke.
In 1997 after nearly 20 years in Catering I decided I needed a change and I left it all behind to become a parcel courier for a Mail Order Firm. I was self-employed and loved the job, but getting mugged during the Christmas period of 1999 tarnished it all and after my 4th child was born in 2000 I gave it all up.
My Dad died after a long battle with cancer on Boxing Day 2001 and whilst I was still grieving I went into my own battle with Kidney failure. My wife was told I had a 50/50 chance of survival at the time, but after 3 months in hospital I was discharged, having had to learn to walk again after such a lengthy spell mainly on my back.
I still visit my consultant once a year for a check up. I'm doing ok, but things are never quite the same. Still I'm alive and live happily with my wife Sandra and our 4 children in Walton, Merseyside.
My book "La Hacienda and Other Stories" was published in early 2001 and soon after I launched the website to accompany the book. I received a Silver Maritime Web Award in 2006 for the site, and a Gold Maritime Web Award in 2007 of which I am very proud.
I have set this website up so that I can display the many photos I have taken over the years that would be slightly out of place on my main site. I do hope you enjoy my photos and I thank you for taking the time to browse my website
Me with my wife Sandra onboard HMS Ark Royal 15/1/2009
