Before the Second World War, Albert’s family owned a bakery business in Birmingham which provided them with a handsome income.  They lived in a large suburban house that even boasted a tennis court in its grounds.  Albert himself was a highly respected tennis player and occasionally clashed rackets with the likes of Fred Perry. In Great Britain at that time, tennis was purely an amateur sport and Albert’s business of managing the bakery was full-time, so he was never able to dedicate the time required to match Fred’s achievements on the court.  However, not only did tennis provide Albert with fitness, pace and stamina that would prove to be vital to succeed in the army, but it also enabled Albert to develop the single-minded determinism, lightning reactions and quick tactical thinking necessary for survival in battle.