Billy Hopkins

It's June 1897, and Kate is celebrating her 11th birthday on the day of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. Kate's joy is short-lived, as tragedy strikes, threatening her family....

Billy Hopkins is thrilled to be released from the trials and tribulations of teaching when he takes early retirement. He's just buzzing with ideas....

When Billy Hopkins spots an advertisement for education officers in Kenya, it sounds like the answer to a prayer, despite worries about the Mau Mau rebellion and dangerous creatures....

Billy Hopkins lived happily in a tenement home in Manchester with his large Catholic family. When war came, Billy was evacuated to Blackpool, where he was starved so his rations...

Tommy Hopkins' early years aren't very promising. Born in a slum district of Manchester, he's blessed with a loving mam and dad, but they don't have two ha'pennies to rub together....

It's September 1945 and Billy Hopkins is off to London to train as a teacher, with only 10 bob in his pocket....

It's December 1963 when Billy Hopkins and his wife, Laura, arrive home after five years in Africa. The world they left behind has changed beyond recognition: now, it's the swinging 60s....