Travels and Natural History Around the World

Anthony Roberts started travelling soon after he was born. He had his first six birthdays in different counties in England and Scotland as his father was in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. And then came a very difficult period when after TB and his parents’ divorce he returned to Essex with almost no family income. Living on the edge of Epping Forest from the age of eight an interest in the birds, bees and trees became apparent – and continued throughout his life.

Foreign travel started with annual visits to Europe with his local Scouts and then with a scholarship to Paris to study French. And then with other scholarships real travel started with a visit to Arctic Lapland with the British Schools Exploring Society when he finished school. This was the first of more than twenty expeditions to thirteen countries, mainly as the doctor and scientist, during his long life. Travel also developed with sport, with study, with work and finally with the joy of travelling and seeing the geography and the people in countries around the world – often decades apart. And always noticing and recording the natural history seen. He has spent more than eight years of his life overseas in 119 countries on seven continents and has spent more than a year under canvas as well as some interesting situations in Sarajevo during their War and also in Azerbaijan, Haiti and Kosovo.

And then came Covid and that was the reason that his memoirs were written. He has had a fascinating life which still continues.