Dark ages
I was born in 1970. The first several years I've got really deep in my memory, so deep, that I can't recall them.
Here and there appear scattered images or feelings. The only sources are my Mom and Dad and a bunch of black&white photos. Well ... , after
filtering my parents' flamboyant stories, I can really rely on the snaps. (But based on the experience with my own kids, it was mostly about
eating, sleeping, crying, "watering and browning" nappies, etc.)
Kindergarden
It's hard to say how I came to the passion in little battles. It's probably something you're born with.
It's easier to say when it started. Between the 3rd and 6th year of my life, when I used to visit kindergarden, we often played with "military" toys (aircrafts, tanks, toy guns, etc.).
We used to become mighty warriors fighting fierce battles. Sometimes the battles were quite real - sticks, pebbles, blood.
Watching historical films on TV was a must. Well, since that time on I've been in.
Schoolyears
Being able to read and write gave my hobby a new dimension. I was no longer dependent on the others
and could do my own "research and projects". I started collecting plastic soldiers. I have to admit, it was a real struggle because that time they were rare in the socialistic market.
Luckily, living in Karvina, which is situated just a few kilometres from Poland, I managed to get my precious little men from my Polish friends living on the Czech side of the
border. Sometimes it was tough business (barter) as they wanted something precious to them as well. I remember, once my parents got permission to go to Poland. They arrived late night when I was
heavily asleep. In the morning there stood a little army on the shelf in the living room. Seeing them I felt a touch of NIRVANA. I still have three of them and a cannon.
Another way to raise an army was a magazine ABC. It was a magazine
bringing paper cut-out models, among others also paper soldiers.
They were painted by an excellent artist, an expert in uniforms, Karel Toman. They took part in plentiful glorious battles.
I've broused the internet in search for some paper soldiers, but what I've found can't match those we used to have. (I still have some.)
From time to time the socialistic economy surprisingly produced some plastic figures (I have to admit they were of excellent quality.), usually cowboys, indians and knights. So, this way I became a frequent visitor to the local toyshop spending there all my limited pocket money.
Later on I converted to metal figures. They were available from folk-craft shops, as they were considered a part of national tradition.
Quite pricy, but I had to have them, as the apetite grew. 
They were semi-flat and I came to an idea to produce my own. I bought some modelling clay and plaster and plunged into production. Hm, I managed
to make several plaster moulds and even cast a few figures. But all this was such a demanding task with numerous disasters (I cast them in the kitchen.) that I quit. May be if I had continued, I'd have
had a flourishing figure company. Never mind.
As a schoolboy, whenever I went for a trip to Prague, I visited Military museum with their rich ... extremely large collection of figures. They had more then 40 thousand - individuals, units, or dioramas. I spent there hours and hours.
Grammar school
During my grammar school years the hobby was developing further. I continued collecting lead soldiers, and here I have to mention, it was the time when I first came into contact with 25 mm figures. It was in Prague on Charles bridge, there was a stall where a guy was selling figures and among them I saw a pack of 5 thirty years war soldiers which I had to own.
Once I learnt from the magazine ABC about an exhibition in Roztoky near Prague. I didn't hesitate a second, my father also. He forbade me going. But nothing could stop me. I told my parents I was going to visit my grandparents and set off to the exhibition. Hobby is hobby. The exhibition was marvelous ... worth the problems at home.
