Dr Mark Aitken

Mark Aitken born in Bromley, Kent in 1938 to German mother and Welsh father.

Practised as an NHS hospital Consultant Physician from 1975 - 2003.

Published a variety of papers in medical journals and a book on osteoporosis in 1984.

After retiring in 2003, I became increasingly aware of the disconnection between the meaning of truth and reality, especially when addressing the UK's present and past political motives and how this has impacted on healthcare and the democratic process.

My mother, who virtually worshiped her father, had told me that her farther's only regret had been the death of his chauffeur. In 2010, when I discovered that my grandfather had started to write a potted autobiography in 1943, I thought I might solve this blemish on his career.

Since he had been an electrical engineer, I imagined that the death had been by electrocution. On page 89 he revealed the facts , although even then he was a bit economical with the truth! However, electrocution was not a factor.

Subsequently I have come across a goldmine of correspondence and photographs relating to my German relatives - some very amusing; some very shocking.

History is a fascinating subject, particularly when you have real eyewitness accounts of what actually happened.