Reginald Heath was born into a farming family in the village of Horton, near to the popular tourist destination Rudyard Lake. It was 1932, and the dawn of one of the most turbulent times in modern history. With family connections to Rudyard Kipling, and surrounded by larger-than-life characters, Reg's recollections of a seemingly idyllic childhood belie the harsh realities of rural life. Without electricity, and relying on horse-power, working days were long and challenging. The advent of war brought change at an unprecedented rate. Communities came together as never before, to boost morale, manage the aftermath of war, and survive one of the harshest winters on record. This memoir is a carefully curated collection of reminiscences, poetry, photographs, and insights into rural life and the domestic impact of World War II, as witnessed through the eyes of an innocent boy.