Albert Gallon was born in Liverpool. He trained as an electronic engineer after completing his National Service in the RAF and went on to spend 37 years with the BBC, working at a number of locations across the UK and overseas, and he is a former Chief Engineer. In retirement he turned to the study of history and he holds a first-class honours degree from the University of Southampton and a Ph.D. from the University of Reading. A life-long theatre lover, he lives in Winchester.