Malcolm was only ten at the outbreak of the Second World War. Like many whose childhood's spanned this era, it was to have an unquantifiable influence on him. As part of the evacuation, Malcolm moved to Askrigg in Wensleydale, Yorkshire. As a boy who had always lived in an urban setting, he was nevertheless quick to learn how to milk cows, dip sheep, dock sheep tails, and survive with a Geordie accent at the local Yorebridge Grammar School. While many children were separate from their parents for a year or less, Malcolm ended up living away from his family for a much longer period. Its difficult to imagine being separated from your family at such a young age-- and staying with strangers for the whole time-- and what lasting influence this had.