Mick Steel

Mick was born in 1938 in Stamford, Lincs. He was keen to join the Royal Air Force, and after serving as a cadet in the Air Training Corps, he was called up for National Service after completing his apprenticeship as a Draughtsman. Rather than be selected for any trade, he decided to sign on for five years and choose Photography. At the time, the photographic trade was changing to Photo 1 and 2, so a little time was spent at Wellesford Mountford awaiting the courses to begin. At this time, I had completed my National Service but decided to return to the RAF as a Photographer, so it turned out we both ended up on the same Photo 2 course.

Mick completed a three-year tour in Singapore during which time Joan, his fiancée, joined him to be married there. After completing his service, he spent the remainder of his working life as a draughtsman, but retained a big interest in both photography and painting. Part of his work meant spending some time in Norway, but he worked mainly in the Derby area, where he had moved to after leaving the service, as it meant being nearer to his brother and family members.

I knew Mick from the early 1940’s and enjoyed many years of friendship, along with our other friends, especially the

first few years after the 2nd World War when life was getting back to normality meaning as teenagers we could, for a couple of years, live life to the full before having to concentrate on work, probable National Service, and family life. We continued our friendship with other close friends for the remainder of his life, including attending many RAFPA reunions.

Mick lost Joan, his wife, two years ago, and since she died, he has been in a Nursing home with poor health. He now joins her – God Bless them both

Tony Story