Mervyn Finch MBE was born in Wolverhampton, England in the year 1951. One of fourteen siblings born to Fred and Mercia Finch. Merv demonstrated a keen interest and a natural ability in artwork from an early age. He received no formal art training or education apart from seeing and interpreting life through his own eyes.
Merv ’plodded’ through primary and secondary school education until he finally left the gates of Wobaston Secondary Modern School, Fordhouses, at the age of fifteen to find work. He spent two and a half years as a Apprentice/Trainee Carpenter. In addition to this he had a stint at being a tool maker in a factory and a short bout of pop delivery lad for Corona. On his 18th birthday he set off to Wolverhampton town centre and entered the doors of the Queen Street Army Recruiting office and did what he’d always wanted to do (apart from being an artist), and that was sign up for service in the British Army’s – Royal Corps of Signals.
He spent twenty two years serving in the colours; initially as a Telegraph Operator and then later becoming a Yeoman of Signals. He had a successful army career, where he attained the rank of Warrant Officer Class One, and was awarded the prestigious “Member of the British Empire” (MBE) medal by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1988 for his hard work and dedication to duty while serving as a Permanent Staff Instructor with The Honourable Artillery Company, of London.
In the early years of his army career he took up painting again as an hobby. It was during this period that he received his first paying art commission. Word soon got around and before long his work was in demand. He was commissioned to do paintings and murals by paying customers. In particular, his murals were sought after by Regimental Mess’s for seasonal functions. Since retiring from the army he has done mural paintings and fine artwork for Corporate institutions and private clients.
Merv retired from the colours at the beginning of 1992 and secured a job with Newbridge Networks as a technical trainer/instructor. It was while there that he was recruited by the company’s Canada based headquarters. Along with his family, they emigrated to Canada in 1997 and within four years became Canadian citizens. After the dot com collapse he became self employed working as an Instructional Designer and course developer and ran his own company; Course We Can Limited where, along with the help of a very good software developer friend, created the Learning Content Management System (LCMS) application; CourseBuilder. This application is an excellent content management and publishing tool for trainers and courseware developers in producing instructor-led courseware using PowerPoint(R) and/or Word(R) For slide and supporting information handouts. You can see more details such as video demonstration tutorials on this excellent course development tool by taking a look at the CourseBuilder page on this website.
Merv has also dabbled in writing, having already completed his two part autobiography. In addition to this, he’s also written two fictional thrillers. For more information on his storytelling skills, see the “Books” page of this web site.
Merv is also the illustrator for the Children’s author; Lesley Anne Airth. Who wrote a Canadian best seller, “What We Remember”, which is an illustrated, educational book for children about remembrance and how conflict affected children during the two World Wars. See the “Books” page for more details.
My sister Betty give me your book to read it’s taken me on a trip down memory lane really enjoying it. I was Cathy Redfern I have been married for 50 years to Martin Flynn who lived above the Opticians at the three Tunnes.
Hi Merv, my name is Phil Coates and I am a former colleague and a current friend of Bill Miller. We were speaking about autobiographies and he told me about his and how I could possibly access it via yourself. If so I would very much appreciate you pointing me in the right direction so I can access an electronic version of it. I very much look forward to hearing from you and thanks for your time. Best wishes. Phil
Hi Phil. I’m sorry, I do not know anything about Bill’s autobiography. I don’t have a copy and even if I did I would not give it away and do Bill out of revenue. I served with Bill for a short time in Hereford and since then I’ve only heard from him on the odd occassion. I have my own autobio (Warro Yo – 22 years), which I only have two paper copies left. It is available in ePub format as is the first part autobio (Warro the early years).
I will email Bill and find out what he’s on about. Sorry I took so long answering, but I was away in UK on a visit/reunion. Cheers, Merv
Hi,
I’ve just come across your site. I served with 20 Maritime Regt from 1967 till 1974, about the same time as you, as a marine engineer serving on all six ships at one time or an other. I’m really interested in a print of your painting of the LCT’s. So if you could let me know if one is available and the price that would be good.
I saw St Georges barracks on Google maps Its all smart apartments now!
I look forward to your reply,
Kind regards
Rick Giles
Hi Rick. Nice to hear from you. Yes, it was a good time although I must say I wasn’t a big fan of the LCT’s to be honest. When we were out in roughers, it got a bit hairy and worrisome at times. But the lads were a good bunch and it was an experience I would do again.
With regard to the print/collage of the T’s of 20 Maritime, I’m afraid you just missed out. I had three prints left and one proof print up until earlier this year when I donated the three to the 20 Maritime reunion in Dartmouth. The proof print I framed for my basement bar. I still have the original, which is a fairly large streched canvas and would cost a lot of money to get it to UK from Canada where I live now. You could always commission me to do a watercolour of one of your favourite T’s, which could be put in a card tube and posted at no great expense. Depending on the size you want, It won’t be too expensive as I’m more hobbyist than professional. Your call mate. Sorry again. Cheers, Merv
Hello Mervyn we use to live on same road as you st Anne’s ford houses I’m trying to get your book warro yo but am finding it hard to get any ideas where I could get it from
Hi Mervyn I used to live on same road as you in the 60s I’ve been trying to get the book warro the early years any ideas where I can get it
Hey up Paul. I remember you; younger brother of Terry (Ticka) Lucas and John (who nearly had his gonads ripped off when he jumped over a fence up the top end of St Annes road. You had a bit of a speech impediment didn’t you? Sorry, I digress. First let me apologize for not answering sooner, but I’ve been away and attending an old Army reunion back in UK.
With regard to the book; Warro the early years. I only have ePub (electronic) version of it available. So if you have Kindle or similar ePublishing/reading available I will sell you a copy (4 UK pounds).I also made an audio version (6 UK pounds) if you want to listen to my Black Country accent for the duration 🙂 Please, if you do purchase either ePub or Audio, don’t give copies of it away. Its not expensive and at the moment I know there are more pirate copies floating around than legit ones. I will repeat this in a direct email too, incase you gave up looking at the website. Cheers, Paul. Regards Merv