Big Al:
but i wasn't the ideal subject for education - never could learn lists of words - latin declensions, french irregular verbs, the periodic table - hydrogen, helium, berilium, boron .carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, fluorine, neon, sodium, magnesium, aluminium, silicon, phosphorus.... i'm sure i would have preferred learning to flip burgers.

Sorry, I have to say it. You're right about not learning lists. Lithium fits between Helium & Beryllium.
I learnt the mnemonic (in school 40+ years ago) as:
Hydrogen (obviously first & lightest, so no need to include it in the mnemonic)
Here Little Beggar Boys Catch Newts Or Fish. (Helium Lithium Beryllium Boron Carbon Nitrogen Oxygen Flourine)
New Nature Magnifies All Sin, P.S. Chlorine. (Neon Sodium Magnesium Aluminium Silicon Phosphorus Sulphur Chlorine)
A(r) King Can Scan, 'Tis Vain Cries Man. (Argon Potassium Calcium Scandium Titanium Vanadium Chromium Manganese)

Cheers
Nigel
(hoping I've made no cock-ups with that list)