Antony Jay has described this:
"I spent my early years in a country where every citizen had to carry identification papers. All the newspapers were censored, as were all letters abroad; general elections had been abolished - it was a one-party state. Citizens were not allowed to go overseas without travel passes (which were rarely issued). People were imprisoned without trial and the government could tell you what job to do and jail you if you didn't do it. Some of my contemporaries were forced to work in the mines.
"Yes, that was Britain. Britain from 1939 to 1945. I was nine when the war started, and 15 when it ended (me too - MHS) and accepted these restrictions unquestioningly. I was astounded when identity papers were abolished. And the social system was at least as authoritarian as the political system. It was shocking for an unmarried couple to sleep together and a disgrace to have a baby out of wedlock. A homosexual act incurred a jail sentence. Divorcées would not be considered for the honours list or the Royal Enclosure at Ascot. Procuring an abortion was a criminal offence. Violent young criminals were birched, older ones were flogged, and murderers were hanged. Two years national service was compulsory for 18-year-olds. Small children sat in rows in the classroom and were caned if they misbehaved. Drugs were confined t the surgery (and the aristocracy). The bobby on the beat made sure the streets were safe at night. And for an England cricket captain to miss a Test Match by flying home to be present at the birth of his child would have ruled him out of serious consideration, not just as a cricketer, but as a man."

My father was wounded and made a prisoner of war at Dunkirk, and came back, thin and demoralised, in 1945. My mother did her best, and we lived a sheltered and happy life, going to private schools. But I grew up too selfish and lazy and we all suffered from an underlying anxiety about being able to cope. For me, joining the navy as a cadet at the age of 18 was the line of least resistance.

My most vivid memories are of the countryside. With my younger brother and  my terrier and later two whippets we explored  every inch of Ashdown Forest and the woodland near our house. Because of the war the woods were neglected and teeming with life. We knew where the rabbit warrens, badger setts and fox earths were. I knew (and can still remember) the names of all the British butterflies.

So where do I belong now?  I think every boy always belongs to the territory, urban or rural or on the water, that he "marks out" when he is 12 years old or so, and is drawn back to it in his heart. But I know that if I went back I'd be very disappointed (and Anita would hate it!)