Robert George Meek
Early Years
Born on the 5th of April 1929 at 1 Market Square - Newent, Gloucestershire, Robert was given the nickname Joe in remembrance of his uncles that died in WW1.
Joe's father being the only of 4 brothers to return from war however he returned with PTSD and severe shrapnel wounds.
At the age of 6 or 7 Meek had developed his keen interests into electronics and had got a Gramaphone. Joe discovered that upon the records runout groves, he could shout into the horn and have his shouts etched into the shellac disc. He was hooked!
Around the same age Joe started putting on shows in the garden and would charge neighbours to watch.
The shows often involved him dressing up in girls costumes and dancing around, which was all displeasing to his father. In the Arena tv documentary, Joe's brothers talk about how meek would secretly microphone unsuspecting subjects and would suprise them when playing them back their recordings. These covert recording used microphones placed all over the house at Newent.
1935 - Joe Meek (top left), Arthur Meek (top right)
Leaving Home
When Joe turned 18, he was given the choice to enlist in the Forces as a part of his National service that was required at the time. Joe joined the RAF and worked as a Radar Operator instead of staying home and becoming exempt from national service requirements. As well as performing duties, he would fix radios and record players of fellow servicemen.
After completing his time, Meek chose not to rejoin his family on the farm but instead look for local work.
His first job began at Currys ( an electrical shop in the area ), He enjoyed the role at first but soon became tired of the excursions to repair items in peoples homes.
His second job was at MEB ( Midlands Electricity Board ), there were no more home visits and he had free use of the workshop as long as he clocked in on time.
More information to be added soon!
Joe whilst serving in the RAF as a Radar Technician