Dorothy Squires (b. 1897): Transcript

1/ At the request of my Grand-Daughter Jill

I was born in 1987, at 38. Eleanor Rd. Waltham. X on 13th April. I was the 4th child born to my mother, as I had 2 brothers and a sister 2 years older than me and my brother and sisters were 8, 6, 4 years younger than me.

I cannot remember a lot of what happened before I went to school, which I think was before I was five. I do remember my father telling us how to read the block and show us how to clean your shoes always, and never be late.

Our school was Holy Trinity, so we always had scripture before starting our other lessons. In infants school I remember learning to thread a Bobbin and (?) and to darn. We had a big frame with different coloured strips, going

2/

down and we were taught to pick up one colour and then go over the rest. Of course we never had pens and ink slates in frames and a slate pencil, tied on with a string.  When we were 6 years old we went into the main hall, which was divided by partitions and wood and glass panels at the tops so we couldn’t see either classes at work, when we were sitting at our desks. We always had to stand at attention, should the Governess come into the class room. I used to respect our teachers and I can’t remember any pupils being rude to them, the cane was used for disobedience, I had 1 strike on the palm of my hand, for talking which made me careful not to talk in class but I think I made up for it when we went out to play. We were allowed

3/

to take, our own skipping ropes to amuse ourselves in the playground, but we were not given anything to play games with, so had to amuse ourselves. As we got older, at May-Day we were taught to dance the maypole and Folk dancing.

When we were about 11 years of age, our Governess arranges after school hours, for a dancing teacher to come to the church hall, and as my father was a good dancer my eldest sister and I were allowed to go and we were always partners, as I was the tallest, I always took the gentleman’s part and still do at my age of 79. I don’t remember how much we had to pay, it may have been a penny! We had band-of-hope (?) in the church hall and I do know how much we paid for that, it was ½ d each time and we had a card, with a star, stamped on it.

(Edit: On our way to school there was a blacksmith, I use to watch them make the horses shoes and fit them whilst they were hot, didn’t hurt the horses.)

4/

We had to go to Sunday School and if we were regular in attendance we had a treat which was tea in the vicarage grounds if fine, if wet, in the vicarage hall. We mostly had bread and butter (could have been marg) and 2 kinds of sliced cake. Plain and Fruit. I know I always made for the plain cake, it used to be lovely I thought then. After tea we used to have races, I don’t think I ever won any, or I should remember the prize, but I think they were mostly sweets. When the first 11 plus scholarships came I was picked out as one of the pupils to be allowed to go in for it, but when the actual papers came in I was 2 months too old for it. I was very disappointed as I liked school and wanted to go on learning, but I was allowed to go to cookery classes and we

(Edit: I remember (??) before we ever had wells (??))

 

5/

had to walk, from school, a good ½ mile to where the cookery classes took place. We learnt to make bread and my mother used to let me make some at home and my eldest brother, who was now at work used to eat most of it as he thought it was smashing. I have told you I was my mother’s 4th child, that I had a sister 2 years, younger than me, a brother 3 years younger than her and my youngest sister was 3 years younger than him.

 

When she was about four years old, I took her shopping with me one day and sad to relate a cart horse broke away from its cart and a bit of sharft just happen to touch my foot, as it raced by I was more frightened for my little sister who was crying and I was pushing her behind me, so she shouldn’t get hurt.

 

(Edit:I remember the lamplighter with his long pole, putting on the gas street lamps.)

6/

But the shock of it, gave me a nervous breakdown (EL Vitus Dance) where I couldn’t keep a limb still and couldn’t talk for about 3 months. It was almost a year before I was almost well, so I didn’t go back to school being 13 whilst I was ill and we left school at 14 those days and as the governor said I had learnt all there was to know having been down for the 11 plus and not being the exact age to go in for it.

 

My father was taken ill and his sister came and saw him, to help my mother, she asked could she take me home with her so I went and stayed must have been three months and she was so kind and good to me I didn’t want to leave her, but now I am older and understand it was costing my aunt quite a bit to keep me and my mother didn’t

7/

like imposing on her generosity. After I had been back home for a while, my mother’s bro who had an eel and pie shop, said they could do with some help, so I went and stayed and helped them in the house and in the shop and serving sometimes and clearing the tables and washing up my aunt had two daughters at school and my uncle had two men cooking for him so there was plenty to do. I don’t remember how long I stayed there, but I was very happy as my aunt was very kind to me, but their business wasn’t all that good so they couldn’t give me wages, or pay me. (?)

Again my mother had me back home, but this time she had heard of a job for me. A friend of hers had lost her Husband, left with two young sons one went with my aunt and the

 

8/

other was put in Dr Barnardo’s home and she got a job with a Quaker family as housekeeper and she wanted someone to help her with the housework and she knew my sister had left school and wanted her to go but my sister was apprenticed to a hand laundry earning 2/6 a week and she didn’t like housework anyway. She told my mother if I went with her, for two years she would train, me for gentlemans service. I wasn’t 14 then, but I stayed with her 3 years and 10 months then one day in the Daily Mail I saw nurse Housemaid wanted in Bramham Gdns, Earls Court, but before I get into that period of my life and must tell you what lovely people the Quakers were to me. The gentleman was a widower, and worked

9/

at Barclays bank (?) St. I think he had a son who also worked there too, a daughter Marie who was at high school then, their name was Hilton and he had a brother living there, who was journalist and also an niece lived there, who was a teacher, so with housekeeper and I there were seven to cook and clean for. My wages were 4/6 d a week, but when I told him I was going to get another job, he said he was only too sorry, but couldn’t afford to pay me more. He gave me a very good character and I got the job at a Colonel Anderson’s whose wife was a real lady, but they had a son rather late in life and it was partly my job to amuse and clear up after him, as

10/

well as helping the head housemaid, with all the work upstairs. I found that the housemaid I was to work under knew a cousin of mine so we got on well together. There were over a 100 stairs and they were supposed to be swept and dusted before break-fast. We were not supposed to have a early cup of tea, but the cook was a decent sort, and used to have one ready because we didn’t have our breakfast until after the Col had had theirs. The son was about 5 he hadn’t started going to a private school until I had been there over a year, so he use to like me spend as much time as I could reading and teaching him sums. He always wanted me to have tea with him in his day nursery, but

11/

I liked to have my meals with the other maids. There was a cook, kitchen maid, parlour maid, the head housemaid and myself. We had help with the spring cleaning. We had to do diff rooms on special days, the drawing room, was a huge one there was 4 or 5 feet of parking floor all round the huge (?) which had to be polished with (?) they did have it hand polished, but I use to get down on my knees, to get in the corners it had a big balcony and we had to take palms and other various plants out there, and water them and wipe the leaves they stood when drained in big brass balls that had lions heads each side holding rings in their mouths for handles, they

12/

were polished with furniture cream, there was such a lot of brass animals to be metal polished that we used to fill paper baskets with them, and do them in a work room which was used special for that purpose and to clean all dusters everyday. The brass animals replaced in circles on brass top tables which luckily were lacquer and only needed furniture cream polish. I used to have to clean boots and shoes in our workroom and although the Col: had a row of boots and shoes he would always insist on one particular pair, that I wouldn’t clean when dressed in my b and w uniform. So very often he had to ask me for them I won’t put down here what I used to say, because very often I would have to run up 70 or more stairs, according to which part of the house we were working in,

13/

to our workroom, where I used to put all boots and shoes when they were put outside their bedroom doors, before dressing for dinner. It was a lovely big house, the front steps and large hall were all mason stone in different colours and I had to scrub that. They were statues of man in armour in the hall. I was a bit scared when I first went there. When I was on my way from hackney (that’s where the Hilton’s lived) I kept repeating what I was going to say, when the parlour maid answered my ring at the front door. I can remember to this day what I said, it was, please I have come in answer to the advertisement which I saw in the Daily Mail this morning. The parlour maid who was Irish and quite a big buxom person often tease me after-wards about how I said it, so fast

14/

Please refer to page 9 where I have said I got the job at Col Anderson’s and what my job was as nurse housemaid. How we had to work those days, but i suppose we always had good food that gave us, plenty of energy. Little boy I was nurse made to had loads of toys trains were very special, and Meccano. I can’t remember how many train lines he had, but it was a very large day nursery and they were put together all around the room with station signals, bridges, tunnels and sometimes he would play right up to his bed-time. Then I have to see to him each night to have a bath and then he would have all sorts of boats, playing with in the bath so of course when I could get him out, the bath was drained I had those to wipe and put away, before cleaning the bath

15/

then there were all the train lines to be pulled apart and stacked in his day nursery cupboard and the same with his Meccano sets, I had to clear everything away ready to be cleaned for the next day. I might say, I was jolly glad, after I had been there about 9 months he was sent to a private school, but when he came home at the end, of his day, he would want me to have my tea with him, I didn’t like that as I liked to be with the other maids, in our sitting room and then of course he would want me to stay, with him and play until bath time again. We only had half day out a week and 1/2 day every other Sun: but if we went to church in the morning that we were in on the 1/2 day Sunday we were allowed to go. But I use

16/

to go to Chelsea Barracks church, as I had a boyfriend in the Grenadier Guards and that gave me chance to see him for a few minutes. I love the guard’s bands and remember one hymn, we always sang, was “for those in peril on the sea” so I imagine the navy used to sing something relating to the army. When I had been there a few months it was spring cleaning time and Col: and Mary Anderson and son John went away on a holiday, where I never knew. (????) we went out nursemaid, (???) parlour maid, who was near 30 asked me if I had seen St Paul’s houses in parliament, Trafalgar Square ect. As I have not been to that part of London she took me out one day and I was thrilled to bits and the wonderful buildings I saw

17/

she took me to a tea shop Edgware road and afterwards we went into Hyde Park and while sitting on a seat, 2 Grenadier Guards came by and smiled and she smiled back, I suppose, for they came back to talk to us and after a chat went and listened to the band. I was not very keen on soldiers those days as I had been given to understand, they were not much good if they had to join the army. But the guard I went with was such a gentleman in every way, and so handsome and smart that although barely 17 I fell in love with him. I suppose it was love because I had not been kissed before, by any man, barring uncles. And I felt so thrilled with him, always in his company. I saw him twice a week, if i was out on my Sunday out, but only

18/

once the other week, apart from a few minutes after church service at Chelsea Barracks which I have previously related. So sad to relate that my happiness was cut short, when 1914 war started and the Guards were some of the first to go out to France. Been already trained they had to face the brunt of it and he was a Cpl, so is in charge of so many men. They were in the Battle of Mons. I never had a line from him, for I was told they went into the firing line trenches straight away and on their first attack was wiped out. I was so upset I used to scan the Times (the paper the Col had) hoping his name would be amongst the wounded, every day for weeks. I did make friends with some of his fellow Guardsman

19/

hoping to get some news but it appears, they were all wiped out, I became very depressed and the other maids used to say, plenty more fish in the sea, but I couldn’t see it that way.

The head housemaid wanted to get a better paid job and went to live with American people, and the money was much better and Americans so nice to work for she said, and would I like to go there, and so I applied, being anxious to get a change of life and luckily I got the job. The Col’s wife was a bit upset, she said that only does Annie leave me, that she take you away from me. I think I was at  Col Anderson’s just over a year, cannot remember exactly how many months, but my move to Mrs Klein’s was a very good

20/

decision. Mrs Klein was American and her Husband got drown on the Lusitania. He had proved previous produced a play called “ Palash and Perlmutter” and had gone to America for another play, I believe, so Mrs Klein was a widow with a young son and a grown up son who I think use to take films in France when the war was on. He use to stay with his mother when on leave in this country. He was very nice and although some time later I was leaving his mother, to do war work he gave me a nice tip.

His name was Philip, so should it ever come to pass, that he hears this has been said, he will remember me as Dorothy. Mrs Klein’s mother lived there too and she was over 80 and very clever, she was doing the king and Queen

21/

in their coronation robes, all the silk work and I know she used to go and see the picture art museum and then buy the silks to work on. I didn’t stay there to see her finish it but I think it was to be a big fire screen. Mrs Klein had lots of visitors from america I remember waiting at table, when Mr Miller and Mr Mayor and other nobilities of film fame, came to see her. Mrs Klein’s mother’s name, was Dankwert and she often would put a 1/- in your hand if you knew it was your 1/2 day out, she would say buy yourself some candy they evidently, didn’t say sweets in America. I think I was there just over a year, Mrs Klein had a lady’s maid, who used to help with the young son. He was a very well mannered little chap, the whole household

22

made it a pleasure to work for them, the reason I left was because I felt so unpatriotic when I went on the buses to see the girls as industresses that I felt I should be doing something to help, when the war. So as my older sister was on munitions I thought I would try and get a job with her which meant me going back home to live, but unfortunately, they were not taking any new applicants on, at that time, and I was on the labour exchange money, for two weeks and wasn’t able to give my mother as much as I should for my keep. So I met a girl who lives near my mother and she was a conductress and she said why don’t you come on the trams, and I was a bit dubious about it at first, because working in gentleman’s service I was not used to meeting all kinds of diff types of people

23/

but I no need to have worried on that account, as I had no trouble with any passengers. The drivers were very helpful to me, and if I had too many passengers standing, I would ask some to get off but if they didn’t take any notice of me, I used to ring three times on the bell, then the driver would know there was something amiss, so he would come round to the back of the tram and say didn’t you hear what the young lady said please get off, for I shall not continue our journey until we have our correct number of passengers standing. That was one of the rules we learnt at tramway school at Stone-bridge. we were told to call out as we got to each fare stage. That was to help to people, who didn’t know

24/

the route and also to let them know they had arrived at the stop they had taken a fair to.

It was whilst I was on the trams, that I met my Husband. He was in the Grenadier Guards, and was going back to barracks, after a week-end home. I was supposed to meet a chap who was stationed at that Barracks and asked my Husband to give him a message, that I couldn’t meet him as arranged. He said yes miss certainly, but as I was early duty at the time, I was late start the next week and on my way home to Waltham Cross, who should be on the tram but my Husband (who was to be later on). I asked him, did he deliver my message and he said no I have come home again this weekend, to find you

25/

out, for myself and that day being Sat, he made me promise to see him the next day, which I suppose was fate that I was not on duty that Sunday. I had never met him before, but I knew his brother, who was in the Air Force, and when he wrote and told him he was courting me, his brother was very glad. Funnily enough, it turned out that when his mother was young her family lived opposite my father’s family. I wasn’t really all that keen to go courting as I could not get my 1st sweetheart of the Guards, out of my mind, so just wanted to be friends, but he was really very good to me, not in the sense of being able to buy me expensive presents as there army pay was terrible

26/

but, he told my mother he loved me and my mother said, you are only 18, and one can’t live with the Dead and as he was a good son to his mother, my mother said she always found a good son makes a good Husband and she was certainly right as I found out when I will tell you later of my marriage in 1918. My Husband has already been on active service in France, he was wounded at the battle of Somme, I think, and was shot in the right upper arm. He did say, they wanted to amputate but he wouldn’t agree to it and thank God I’m able to say, it was his best arm, for the rest of his life, for after I had known him, about 5 months, he was on a draft again, for France and he was so upset at having to go out again that I promised him I would wait for him, although

27/

I had thought, I should never get serious about being in love again. He was wounded the second time whilst bayonet charging and was shot right through his left forearm. He was losing so much blood, he said, that he had the presence of mind, to take one of his putteen off and bind tightly round his wound. He crawled to the nearest dressing station and was told to go onto the next one, as that one was overcrowded and he said, he must have passed out, because he didn’t remember reaching it. he was told by the surgeon who op: on his forearm, not to let anyone interfere with it, as it was a miracle to him, how the splintered bones joined up together. He had a lot of treatment to get the use back into his arm, but finished up with two fingers, clutched to the palm of his

28/

hand, but he persevered with it and it was amazing what he tried to do, luckily it was his left arm, he was also badly gassed and when discharged from the army, his disability pension was a paltry 11/- a week. He was discharged in Sept: 1918 and we were lucky enough to hear of a house if we would look after an elderly gentleman, who was the tenant there, so we got married on boxing day 1918, but I must go back to after he went to France 2nd time, my money on the trams wasn’t very good so I went to the labour exchange and they sent me to ammunition works where we made 6 inch shells I was anxious to work hard and save so that we could marry but didn’t expect to marry so soon as we did but getting the offer of that house,

29/

made our minds up and as I had worked hard, whilst he was in France, we had enough for a 2^nd hand home and I am pleased to say, I had a white wedding with two sisters as bridesmaids in mauve. My Husband didn’t remember being brought over from France when he did come to he found he was in private Hpl (a big house called Highfield Hall). Southampton and that’s where I used to visit him. We were sent for, once by the matron, because he lost so much blood she told us she never known in her experience for anyone to live, as he did. We were not allowed to see him when we 1st got there, but saw him for a few minutes the next day. We had to go and find lodgings for that night and

30/

when the matron assured us he was on the turn for the better we came home. The people that put us up, 4 of us (my fiance’s mother and sister and my sister and I) were wonderful people and each time, afterwards when I went to see him, they could not make me welcome enough. They had two daughters and their name was Taylor. The Husband used to drive a lady out in a Brougham and he was allowed to take my fiance I out for drives. I really felt something, I can tell you, and I was so happy that my fiance was able to get out. I could not get too much time off at the munition, so couldn’t go too often so my fiance got moved to Waltham abbey Hpl, which was really the town hall, turned into a Hpl, for wounded soldiers.

31/

I only lived 2 miles from there, but his mother lived about 4 miles, so we were able to see quite a lot of each other, I got on quite well at the shell factory, which was owned by a Mr Brindley, when the armistice was signed Mr Brindley ordered down tools straight away, and if we went back after a few days off to clear up, what we had left we would get a bonus, if you didn’t go back you lost that. He awarded the girls and men silver medals, who had done the highest output and I am glad to say, I received a medal, stating it was for the highest average on both shifts, night and day. I still have it, I sometimes wonder how much it’s worth. When Mr Brinley gave us the medals he also gave a party for a

32/

lot of wounded soldiers, I don’t know if any of the girls paired up with any, but I had my fiancé, waiting outside for me, so I didn’t stop long, after being presented with my medal. I do remember we went to a cinema instead. I was married on Boxing day 1918, when I was 21, my future Husband was 5 years older than me. I was married at Holy Trinity church, where i went Sunday school and also Holy Trinity day school We didn’t have a honeymoon, we couldn’t afford one, and no car to take us to our home, after the reception which was kept on all through the night, for lots of my relatives came from London and they had to wait until trams and trains started in the morning. My Hubby and I escaped about

33/

2:30 a.m. and had to walk a good 2 ½ miles to get to our home. I remember it was very cold on frosty, so my Hubby lit a fire in our bedroom, which we had laid some days before, and the blessed thing wouldn’t burn, until after we felt like going to sleep, when it flared up, so we had to wait for it to burn down a bit. The bedroom, was small and there wasn’t all that room between the bed and the fireplace, so we had to take care.

The elderly gentleman we were supposed to keep an eye on, was very peculiar, of course having lived in that house so many years he couldn’t understand, why he had to keep to his own bedroom. He often went to his son, who lived at the end of the street and said, he couldn’t go to bed

34/

because the young couple was in his bed, if we went out of an evening we would find he had helped himself to our groceries, we ordered a Daily Paper and very often he had taken it in and used it to light his fire, as we found out by chance, one day, his door of his bedroom was open and my Husband looks in to see if he was alright and there layed our Daily Paper, partly in the fireplace and so my Husband, had to go the newsagents and apologise for the complaints he had made for not getting a daily paper, having lived in that house for a good number of years he still thought he had the right to all the cupboards and rooms, so I was surprised very often, how low my sugar and tea was, and we even found

35/

some of our cutlery there, on his table. My Husband missed a new shirt and I missed a crepe-de-chine blouse, so don’t know who he gave them to. We were only with him for 2 months, as we had a flood we were warned at 1 a.m. that there was a flood, but didn’t take any notice not knowing they had floods before, so we went to sleep and when my Hubby got up to get a cuppa the water was level with our 1st stair. We had a puppy we and just managed to rescue him he was standing at the stairs holding his head up out of the water. We had steel fender and (?) and they went rusty, our new lino I was ruined, we didn’t have carpets just a hearth rug. A man came round with bread on a pitchfork and handed to us upstairs

36/

luckily went down in 2 days but left us a lot of cleaning up to do. My Husband’s Aunt lived about 10 minutes walk away and as there houses, were built on a high foundation they didn’t get any water in. Her neighbour was moving and the landlord gave her permission to hand over the keys, to anyone, who would buy their pure bred chickens and different fittings in the house. So, as I still had little savings we accepted the offer. It was only a two bedroom terrace house, but it was lovely to get a dry house. But I don’t think they had any more floods after so they must have made drains to take the water elsewhere. We were very near the barge river, as we called it because so much transport was done by horse drawn barges in 1918 and before.

37/

After the armistice, there were lots of street parties, and concerts. my younger sister was 12 then and she amused a lot of the people, with her antics and dress as Charlie Chaplin. Months went by and I was expecting my 1^st baby in October which turned out to be a girl. My Husband was glad it was a girl, he said he didn’t want a boy of his to go in the army. He had been through some awful times, being gassed and wounded twice and the awful things they had to do and losing his comrades was enough to make them go insane. He made a cradle of some kind of wood and I know he put a piece at each end of the bottom of it to make it rock. I covered it with material and spotted muslin.

38/

We bought a good 2^nd hand pram, hadn’t been used a lot and the people who owned it we’re going abroad so we got it fairly cheap. When my 1^st baby was 7 months old, I found I was pregnant again and she was born in Feb 1922. They were a bit of a handful as my Hubby had just started to learn a trade through his disability, so he didn’t see much of them when he came home, as he had to travel to Haslemere in Surrey each day and when he got home, it was near their bedtime, but he made a rare fuss of them weekends. We used to walk miles with the 2 of them in the pram, after serving so long at the training centre (He was learning carpentry) he was stood off to await an improvementship but the waiting, went on for months and he got very fed up.

39/

He was told they were taking disabled army men on at a factory in Holloway, London, and he walked practically all the way there, they told him yes they would employ him, but must have the government permit 1st, so he wrote to the army about it, and sorry to relate, they said it wasn’t a suitable firm and yet they had disabled monograms on their stationery. After some more months an improvement course came through on (?) Friday and he was to go there on Monday but it was too far for him to come home each day, and he said, I am not leaving you all the week, with our two babies, I tried to tell him, I would be alright and thought it was a chance to be able to get a skilled job but, because he didn’t turn up on the Monday, he was struck off of the list for improvementships.

40/

He tried hard to get a job. The welfare ass: sent him for a job, as the postman. He was asked had he got a bicycle, luckily he had, but the money was so low my Husband said that’s not much to keep my wife, 2 children and myself on. The man that interviewed him said, well you get 11/- pension and that angered my Husband for he was gassed and disabled and his left arm for that, he considered it an insult to even mention his pension, so he turned it down. Before he went in he said if I get the job there’s some chocolate for you (I was very fond of chocolate) but when he shook his head, to say he hasn’t got the job, I was waiting outside a sweet shop, so I just moved away. He did not get labour exchange money, for some weeks

41/

for after being in the army so long, took a long time to come through. So someone said why don’t you go to relieving officer, some better off than you do. So he went and they gave him a credit note for grocery he wished he had not done it because the next week he got his labour exchange money through and he went straight to the relieving officer and paid the value of that credit note back. The relieving officer said do you know you are the only one in my experience that has done such a thing. He gave my Husband a tip out of his own pocket and said, he would help him anytime, he was in difficulty. My Husband hated charity and felt all the better for paying that back after a week or two, he

42/

saw an advert in the local paper, man wanted as doorman on at cinema, 2/6 an evening. They really wanted a retired serviceman and said if you had any medals, they would like him to wear them on the uniform they were providing. My Husband went to the place and they was turning a hall into a cinema so there was quite a lot of stage work to be done and fixing chairs etc. My Husband asked if he could help and he said I’ll work a week for you for nothing and if I am no good, tell me so, but he was a jolly good worker he did so want a job and they kept him on, cleaning in the mornings and door attendant at nights. I can’t remember what the money was it was better than he got from the

43/

labour exchange as that was 24/- for him 2/- for me and 1/- each our two children a week, so we’ve is 11/- disability pension making 39/- I really felt good, luck had come our way, at last. I can’t remember how long he was there, but the cinema didn’t pay so closed down; now he was on the dole again, the Enfield Highway co – op Socy; were having a big store build and so he sent in forms for weeks hoping they would want a cleaner on night watchman you didn’t care, what it was. Then I heard a man who has only been out of work 2 weeks, was going to get a job there so I went and asked the manager if they had overlooked my Husband’s name, but they said no they were treated periodically, anyway it done good, for a couple

44/

of days after they sent for him. My aunt introduced me to a friend of hers at the club and she went home and told her Husband, how long my Husband had been out of work. He spoke to his boss and said he was a good worker, although he had never met my Husband and he got him a job with him on the Water Board and the interviews were both on the same day, so my Hubby said I’ll try the Water Board first, because everyone needs water and people didn’t think the big Co-op store was going to be a success, but I am glad to say, it has been worthwhile and it’s a wonderful store, the biggest in Enfield Highway, where we lived, how grateful I felt to my friends Hubby getting my Hubby a regular

45/

job. We really felt so secure knowing what money was coming in, each week.

And then we had the new welfare state, where we could take our babies to the clinic, to see a doctor to know if a baby was progressing and they sold (Glazo?) a bit cheaper, than you got it at the shop, so it was well worth going each week. One week, the governess of the school where the clinic was held asked, could the doctor choose a baby that could be bathed in front of the top classes of the school and I am proud to say he picked my baby. But I am afraid she cried a lot because she must have known the nurse wasn’t her mother, and besides she had a bath before I took her, so i guess she thought that was a bath too many. When she was

46/

5 she went to that same school. But she now had a sister 16 months younger, so they were company for each other as they grew up. The eldest one liked school, but the youngest one used to cry if I wasn’t there when they were put out to play, she thought it was time to go home. I used to take them and fetch them home, because we had a railway crossing to go over to get to where we lived. The Co-op society use to hold what they called the “Children’s Circle” at one evening a week and when my youngest girl was old enough to go to school, they were told about this circle, they had games, singing, reciting and was run by voluntary workers and they paid ½ d a week and had a card stamped. If they

47/

were regular, they had a regular days outings to Maldon in Essex in the summer and tea parties in the winter months. I had to take them and fetch them home, my Hubby, would not let them go otherwise. When one of the ladies on the com: said to me why don’t you come on the com; Mrs Squires, you always bring your girlies so you could easily stay and take them home, so I joined them and we had quite a large no: of boys and girls to entertain. The Co-op Socy: paid the rent of the hall we had and we had a small grant towards that summer day out their subs, didn’t come too much, so we used to run rummage sales. The voluntary Com: use to have meetings in the Sec: house and she was

48/

allowed a 1/- out of the funds towards the fire if it was winter-time. They also had, what they called a Junior Com: on the stage and that was in the hopes, they would take an interest in the Co-operation. We use to dress them up, for July internationals day, to represent diff countries, to teach them to love all people, no matter what their colour was. The dresses were usually made by the vol: com: of paper, so we always hoped for fine weather and as far as I can remember we were very fortunate in that. We had various table art too and the children would march a good mile to a park where a fete was held, and the children were given free tea and cakes and tickets for various rides on round-abouts and swings. Weeks before the fete we

49/

would train the children to sing, or dance and the public was invited at 3d each in the Co-op hall. There were children circles in various districts, so on the whole it was usually very good and then they did their acts in the park, at the fete before having their tea. How they used to enjoy that, such a simple thing to give them happiness. I have had them practicing for weeks beforehand at our house and they were so pleased if you gave them lemonade and biscuits, no money payments everyone enjoyed doing their share voluntarily, the idea of having a Junior com: was to encourage them, as they get older, to take part in the Senior com: we use to have a Junior Chairman and a Junior Secretary on the stage, and they

50/

would announce what the last meeting was about the no: of members who had attended and those taking part in the entertainment for the evening and forth coming events. My eldest daughter was a Sec: once and she worked for the Co-op society for 15 years, later on in her life. Of course their father and I liked them to attend Sunday school, we were protestants and, as I have said my Hubby and I both attended day and Sunday church schools. When the oldest girl went into examination for 11 plus she failed, although her teacher was so sure she would pass but later on she had a test and was passed to go to a commercial college at Tottenham and was there until 15. After the Co-op society had built the large store they built an estate of three-bedroom

51/

houses, it was called unity estate and was at 1st bought mostly by Co-operators they were very well built by Cook and Son, from Hoddesdon I think, and I’ve heard said that the society didn’t build them for profit just to help people who were thrifty enough to work and buy one. Now I can tell you how my daughter, who was at college came to leave there at 15. My Hubby and I went to the Co-op for a loan to buy one off Unity Estate houses and as I had done a lot of voluntary work with the Children’s Circle and also on the Women’s Co-op Guild I was well known to the Sec: He said he was looking forward to my two daughters to go and work for the society and when I told him one was at college and the younger

52/

one at Enfield Grammar school he was rather disappointed so I told my 15 year old girl what he had said and I said you wouldn’t want to leave college and work for the Co-op would you, and she said she wouldn’t mind, so i said well, there is a job at the Co-op, if you would like it. So I went to the college and told the principal that I wanted her to leave, and he said he thought i was doing a foolish thing, i said her reports, hadn’t been all that encouraging, he wanted to know, how much she was going to earn and I said I didn’t know but i could rely on the Co-op to give her square deal. She stayed with the Co-op 15 years, leaving after being cashier for some time. So was very well known by staff as one of

53/

her job was wages. So the Co-op Socy: used to get her deferred from having to go in the forces as I must say, although my daughter was and still is at 57 a conscientious worker. She courted and got engaged to a son, of a friend of mine, and after about 6 months he had to join the forces, he join the Air Force Pay Corp; and use to come home most weekends. But one weekend he said he was on duty, but we found out, he had been going out with others in his Corp: and having a good time as they called it. So he asked her to set him free, but they would come together again when the war finished. I think she was quite prepared to do that, as she thought the world of him, but alas he courted a girl in the same office of the Air Force

54/

Pay Corp: and she was heartbroken, when she heard he was getting married. She wouldn’t believe it, until someone showed her the paper with the announcement. Everyone around new her and use to be so sympathetic to her that she got so fed up, she asked the army to call her up. She went in the Army Pay Corp: and liked it very much, she was stationed at various places north and south of Britain, but glad to say, she didn’t leave this country of ours.

She allowed me 5/- out of her army pay and I used to put it in her savings book at the Co-op.

I missed her very much, as she always came home for mid-day dinner and my other daughter 2 years younger was working in the post office and was mostly out all day. So I asked my Husband, if I could get a P.T. job and he said

55/

yes if you are able to get a sitting down job, so I went to the labour exchange and they gave me a job at Ediswans Electric Ltd at Ponders End. The money was very poor, I think I worked 2-5:30 for Mon – Fri and I have gone in sometimes on a Sat. morning and then only got 30/- but I made up my mind to save what I earned and it was the first money I had apart from my housekeeping money, of course I wasn’t getting money from my daughter who joined the army, so that helped me to save and buy something for the home like curtains etc, which I had a job to get anything out of housekeeping money as we were buying a house and my Husband used to put as much as he could on the house as we had borrowed from

56/

the Co-op Socy to buy one of their houses they had built which were very well built and only £600, so the repayments will not quite £4 a month. The repayments were on a 20 years, but my Husband, hating owing in any form, so he got it paid off in about 13 years. If he managed to do overtime, he would put his overtime money with his repayment. My neighbour thought the money at Ediswans was scandalous and she tried to get me a P.T. job at the R.S.A.T but they were not taking on P. Timers, but I could have a full-time job but although my Husband didn’t want me to have to stand at work, he allowed me to go and my job was on the barrels of the Enfield Rifle. I got on very well there i liked machine work and it was very important war work

57/

I felt very proud to work at the R.S.A.T because my father worked there, from 15 years old to 63, when he was made redundant, with a very small redundancy pay, after all those years. He was chargehand on bolts of the rifle for years. Of course times were hard after the 2nd world war, no jobs, so there was no hope for a man at 63, getting employment. I remember my mother used to have to draw out some of her Co-op dividend money each week until my dad and her got the pension at 65. I am happy to be able to say they live to see their diamond wedding, but both died 2 years after, at the age of 83. Such lovely parents, that we still miss them terribly. After being made redundant from the R.S.A.T

58/

I got a P.T. job at a firm called “money (?)”. It was nothing to do with money but it was a private firm owned by the surname of Money’s. It was to do with fire extinguishers and they tinned powder and bottled (?), used to put fires out. Mr Brindley, who was Manager and Director was a gentleman to work for used to take our photographs in his garden, by the fish pond, that he had at the back of the factory. He did not live near but liked to have a garden for us to sit and have our lunches, when fine. He gave us lovely xmas parties too, I expect there were about 60 or more staff, but all were very nice to me, I was getting more death and they were very understanding I liked being there, but my

59/

Husband, began to realise that the powder was getting on my chest and giving me a cough, so he made me leave. About that time they were building a new post office, just 2 mins: walk from where we lived and as my son-in-law, was an oversear at that time (but later became a post master) he asked me would I like the job of cleaner there, he said it was all new, so would be easy to keep clean, so he put in an application for me and I got the job. I was there for 5 ½ PT years until my Husband made me pack it up. I was 63 then, but I could have gone on much longer the clerks were a wonderful lot to work for. I realised later why he wanted me at home all the time, as he said lets

60/

have all the time we can together, he must have been feeling ill at times with his tumour and wouldn’t say, but he lived for another 4 years after that and died at the age of 72. So that was the end of my earning, my own money. I used to buy P. Bonds, as I got my wages and my Hubby thought I should put it in somewhere where I got an interest, but when I won £250, he started buying them , 1 at a time, but had no luck. I bought mine in 50s as I was told you stood a better chance with a bulk. I have had 2 or 3 small wins, since I started about 20 years ago, but how grateful I should be to get a big win, to be able to do some real good, to a Death Institute, for no one donates, only those that

61/

are death, how awfully hard it is to be cut off of natural speaking terms.

Well, having left work, I attended my Co-op Guild and was on the Com’s at various times, but although I could have gone to congress, my Hubby wouldn’t allow me to be away from home at nights so I never had that pleasure but the delegates who did go gave us wonderful reports and said what a wonderful experience it was. Athough my Hubby didn’t like mixing with lots of people, I did get him to join an O.A.P. Club. There was a vacancy on one of our outings and I put his name in for it, and through that outing, he was asked by a gentleman member to join. He was very well liked by our women members, because he was very jolly

62/

once he got to know people. I do recall that when our girlies were small, and took part in the processions of the Co-op fete days, he would walk along the pavement, and buy them ice creams, their friends as well, he couldn’t bare them to think, some ill might befall them. He was very proud of them and like to take them out Sunday evenings in the summer for walks even when they were 16. They didn’t always want to go, and I know that the youngest one would pray for it to rain. Being trained in the Grenadier Guards, he was inclined to be rather strict with them, but I must say, they have turned out to be wonderful Daughters to me especially since I lost him in 1965, it will be 12 (11) years in Dec. 5th 1976.

63/

He was a wonderful help, to me in the home and every respect really, although Disabled and badly gassed, he didn’t let a job beat him, if he could do it, he used to say, it will save a bit for a rainy day. He loved gardening, especially vegs: and use to help anyone ill to do their allotments, as well as his own. He could not bear to see a woman loaded with bags of grocery, he would offer and help them, as far as perhaps the top of their road.

When the 2^nd world war came out neighbours were on reserve, so he was called up. One was in the Air Force, but had no children and another was on a Submarine. He had 3 children, and when the air raid warnings were given he would see us to out dug-outs and made sure the neighbour with children, were in theirs.

64/

The one, who had no children he would make come in with us. What terrible times they were no sooner had we got in bed, than a warning would be sounded. It’s amazing how the children got on so well at school as they did through those sleepless nights. We lived in an industrial part of Enfield, munitions, gunpowder, electrical and cable works and reservoirs, and various others, which were bombers targets. There were so many unpleasant things that happened during those war years, that it would take weeks of writing to relate. But one thing I must say, that a bomb dropped at the top or my Mothers street, gave my mother such a shock she went blind, but being the most patient of mothers, she endured that blindness for the last seven years, of her life.

65/

She died in 1951 aged 83 and my father died 2 years after, but suffered with rheumatism, mostly all that time. What wonderful parents they were, so faithful to each other, if only there were more like them to-day, I don’t think, there would be all this violence and thieving, there doesn’t seem to be the love in the families , that we were brought up, in our young days. After my eldest daughter, came home, from her war service, of course her job at Co-op society was waiting for her, the following year she was so fed up, with people that knew of her broken engagement that she changed her job and went to work for Cheshunt council, she got on very well indeed there, and they didn’t want her to leave, but my married daughter who had only worked at the post office, straight

66/

from school, had married a P.O. overseer and had 2 children. He was a postmaster later on, unfortunately he became ill, with Hardened Arteries and he was only 46. He was living in a rather hilly part of the country and he was advised to live somewhere flat and by the sea if possible. I am glad to say he did that, but has had so many OPs in these last 11 years, that each one was 50-50 chance but thank God, we still have him with us. My eldest daughter who was still single gave up her job at the council and as I had our house valued, gave ½ the money I got from that to my married daughter and made the house over to my single daughter. So as we were worried each time my son-in law, has a O.P. we thought we would sell out and

67/

We came to live near, in case of emergency. And so we were only 5 mins walk to them now, and we have been up to the time of writing this, 9 years, this coming Oct.  So God has been good to spare him and hope he will have a few more years, for they have just reached their 30th Ann: and what a wonderful loving couple they still are, that I dread to think what my daughter would be like should she lose him, but God is good, granting us courage to carry on, until he thinks fit to call us.

The 5 ½ years I worked at the post office (my Husband had to retire at 60 owing to disability and illness, that I used to save up and I’d arrange for us to have a holiday. One year we went to Cornwall another touring Devon, with

68/

friends in their car, 2 to Edinburgh, and the last one to the Isle-of-Man. He hadn’t been well the last few months and I thought the Isle-of-Man, would do him good. He seemed to enjoy it but he was anxious to retire to bed early, which was not like him, he always wanted to stay out in the fresh as long as possible, for he used to say that’s what you have a holiday for, to enjoy the sea air.

It was on our return we crossed the water to Liverpool O.K., although I admit the sea was rough, but he didn’t seem upset until we had got off the boat. I was in front of him and when I looked back he was standing still. He must have had a slight stroke because he couldn’t walk and had pain down his left

69/

Side. We had crossed earlier on the boat to Liverpool hoping to have a bus ride round Liverpool, because we hadn’t been to Liverpool before, and as we were catching a night coach back, so it would allow plenty of time to have a look around. So of course, that was impossible. I thought I must get a taxi and take him to Hpl but he didn’t want to go to Hpl there he said please get me home. So I left him holding on to a frame whilst I went to see, where I could leave out luggage, as we were supposed to be picked up at Liverpool pier at night and we had quite a few hours to wait before that was due. I saw an inspector and I asked would he tell me, where the coach station was, he said there was only a picking up point there.

70/

I told him about my Husband and said I might have to persuade him to go to Hpl, and didn’t want to have to carry all our luggage as my Husband had lost the use of his left side and could only shuffle a few paces, so he said, I am only the bus inspector but I will give you permission to leave your big case in the men’s canteen, as that was the only place, he knew might take care of it for me so I went back to where I had left my Husband standing and I told him where I was going to be allowed to leave our big case, a gentleman was talking to him and he told me to go to a place where the Royal Women’s Vol. Service, were serving tea, to elderly people who were sitting in arm chairs, so I suppose it was kind of a O.A.P. Club. And he said they would give me any help they could. They will get

71/

you a conveyance, if he has to go to Hpl, but I managed to shuffle him there and after a cup of tea, he seemed a bit better, so I said to the man, that was collecting the empty cups, what a Blessing this place was, as we had to wait until about 9 or 10 pm, I am not sure exact time, but he said we close at 4, so I said to my Hubby we will just have to sit on a seat, nearest to our coach picking up point which we did and that was off the sea front of Liverpool Harbour. 2 ladies came and sat on the seat and I told them about my Husband’s illness and that we were hoping it would keep fine until our coach arrived. They said you can’t do that it will blow up very cold here, when the sun goes in, so they said why don’t you get a taxi to where the coach is

72/

starting from, so I went back to the inspector and asked him would our case be alright in the canteen until our coach got there and he said he wouldn’t be on duty then, so my Husband said I was to fetch it away, when I went for it the inspector said to me I have a bus going to the coach station in a couple of mins if you can get your Husband on it I will take you, on our way to our depot. He managed to scramble to the front seat and how grateful I felt to that inspector, I didn’t even know his name of the bus comp: or I might have been able to get in touch with him and say how grateful I was and could have sent him a gift of some sort. Having got to the coach depot we had still some hours to wait but I left him sitting on a

73/

seat with all our luggage whilst I tried to get him a cup of tea or coffee but it was passed 6 o/c shops were closed, but I had a few sweets and I think he had one of those . The foreman at the coach station told me to get him on one of the London bound coaches, He said, I don’t know which one is yours but there were 4, so he got in the 1st one and that was better, than sitting outside , which was very chilly. I tried the booking office to see if we would need tickets from the coach station to Liverpool pier, which is where we should have been picked up, if all had been well, but the office was closed and I was waiting outside and someone said they don’t open until 9 o/c, but just then a man who had been in the office , came out and I took

74/

a chance and pushed my way, passed him and called out if anyone was there and a young lady came out, I told her of my trouble and she assured me it would be O.K. for us to travel on a coach as she said,  your seats would be there, if you at been waiting at the pier and she said there was no need for extra payment. We sat in the coach for about 2 hours, then the passengers started to arrive and my Husband seemed so pleased to think we were really going to start going home when the coach time-keeper came, he said we were in the wrong coach he said, yours is the 4th one, my Husband said I don’t think I can walk that far, but he picked our luggage up and put it in the 4th coach, so very slowly, he managed to get on it and sat in the 1st seat.

75/

As it was night travel, the lights in the coach were dimmed, but left a light sign on the toilet to show whether vacant or engaged. About ½ way to London (Victoria Stn) they stopped for refreshments ect, I had to ask one of the gentle passengers, if he would help my Husband get to the toilet and as the restaurant was close by, he managed to shuffle to the 1st table. He gave me a £1 Note a to get our drinks, we had been given sandwiches by our landlady at the I-of-Man but he and I didn’t feel we could eat anything, and when I gave the man cashier the £1 note as I thought, my Husband had given me £2 (???) and he was always so careful with his money, you can understand how ill he felt and I had been standing in line

76/

and I didn’t realize, I was holding £2. I was very grateful to the honest cashier, I playfully said Thanks very much, I should have been £1 short of my housekeeping money, next week, how pleased he was to get back on the coach, that was taking us a bit nearer to out home. When we got to Victoria, I wanted to get a taxi to a bus that would take us to Tottenham, but with the aid of his umbrella for a walking stick managed to get to the bus and sat the nearest seat to the exit. We had to change at Tottenham for another bus to Enfield Highway where we lived and you can tell by then, he was pretty queer, I was glad to reach home too, because he couldn’t carry anything only walk with his umbrella and hold

77/

my arm, so I had to carry all the luggage we had, luckily we only went for a week so wasn’t too much.

My single daughter had gone abroad for a holiday and as I expected her to be home on the Sat afternoon asked her to get a loaf and a joint of meat, she and 2 friends, couldn’t fine their luggage, before leaving Spain and through wasting time looking for it their party had to go on without them, and they had taken their luggage and they didn’t know it so they were hours late, getting into London, and of course she couldn’t get my shopping. She said it was nearly 10 o/c A.M. when she got to bed and she thought I’ll make some bread in the morning, which she did and she knew I had plenty of tinned meat so didn’t worry on that

78/
account. When she saw her father how ill, he looked she was quite upset. The next day I said I would go with him to the Doctor. He said I’ll may be be alright tomorrow, but he could walk a bit better and decided to go next day. I wanted to go with him but he said no you can’t tell him anymore than I can so when he told the doctor how he lost the use of his left side coming off the boat at Liverpool, the Dr said it was rheumatism and gave him tablets and to come again in a week.  When he went then he saw another doctor who said it was Arthritis. Please refer to page 67 where I stated he had to retire at 60 he had, had an attack at work and had to see the water board Dr to see what was wrong and he said, he was not fit to work anymore and yet he lived until 72 ½ years old.
79/
That Dr must have known he had a Tumour then, but sometime later he had to go into Hpl with severe pains and they only kept him in 2 weeks they told him it was an ulcer and that it had callused over. He was badly gassed in the war as well as being disabled in the left arm and I think the Tumour was caused through the gas and for all he suffered he was only given 11/- a week pension rising to 19/- when he died.

My daughter, I made my house over to , had quite a lot done to that house, had an extension built and lots of improvements so was able to get more money on it, then when it was values after my Husbands death, we wanted to buy a bungalow but there were not any built near here then, so as this house was a show house
80/
and was the same money as my Daughter got for ours, I chose it, and so far we have spent nearly 9 years here by Oct 1976.

The reason we moved here at Goring was to be near my son in-law who had unfortunately had to retire from his post masters job because of his illness and had been advised to live somewhere on the flat and near the sea as he had hardened arteries. He has had OPs on and off for 10 years and each one we have to keep our fingers X’d in case the OP is not successful and because of that we wanted to be near my daughter in case anything should happen to him as they are such a devoted couple and dread what she would be like without him. But thank God we still have him with us as I stated above, we have been here nearly 9 years.
81/
They have been married 31 years, they have 2 lovely daughters, one 29 and the younger one 25, the older one is married but no children so far and the younger one is a very good Christian by being in the Choir at her church and also a Sunday school teacher. She has not met Mr Right yet but is very happy with her church work.  My eldest daughter has never married she was engaged to a school mate of mines son but after he had been in the Air Force some months and was away, got mixed up other lads and met another girl who worked in the office at the Air Force.  She simply idolised him and believed every promise he had made to her that she has not taken on with any man since, although she had been one or two interested in her but she was too hurt to take on anymore.
82/
Although I was terribly upset about it I suppose I had to be thankful she found him unfaithful before the marriage than afterwards, she has been a wonderful daughter to me especially since losing my Hubby, she said at the time he died don’t worry too much mum, because I will never leave you. So God has been good to me in giving her to lean on.  As I said i made the house over to her after giving my married daughter 1/2 the share of the value of the house when their dad died. She is a very good worker at the council at Worthing and we get on very well together. I try and keep the house clean and have all her meals ready at night for she only has lunch mid-day and dinner at night, except weekends when we genuerally have dinner mid-day.
83/
I missed my friends and family from Enfield where we lived so I joined 2  O.A.P clubs, and that helped me settle down here, I made a very special friend who has helped me a lot and so did her Husband , before he passed away. He was most kind and helpful to me, but i am glad to say his wife is being very brave and courageous through her loss of him.  Myself I had 4 months of illness at the beginning of this year (1976) and thought if ever I get well enough I would try an take up dancing and I am thankful to God to say I have managed so far (Aug) to go once a week I’d never had much chance to go dacing, being in service so after I was married and the children were grown up, I use to go to a
84/
social now and then as I belonged to Co-op Guild and when becoming a pensioner joined (of) O.A.P clubs. When my Hubby was alive and the children hadn’t started school, although his wages were not all that could be managed to get us all away a week at Southend, Margate or Ramsgate for B&B as the girls were rather fussy eaters so we used to have to get them what they liked and if you had full board, food might have been wasted. When my daughters were grown up and both in good jobs they use to go away for holidays so their dad and I used to book a holiday at the same time, we went to the I-of-W 3 or 4 times, Ramsgate , Cornwall
85/
and as I have mentioned on page 68 to the Isle-of-Man and unfortunately a very sad ending. That was our last holiday together for he never really recovered from his slight stroke and I went to the doctors with him and he gave him a letter to take to Hpl straight away. He had been under his care since he had to retire at 60 and was now 72 then, so as the Dr knew all the time what was wrong with him hes always marvelled that he felt as well as he did. He used to ask me how was my wonderful Husband keeping and I said, fairly well but tries to do lots about the house. He didn’t like paying out for decorating, I used to tell him, he shouldn’t climb ladders, but would insist and was happy being
86/
able to do things. Well the examination at the Hpl found he was in a serious state, so they kept him in and we only went, we thought for a check up. He had only been in for a week when the Dr. informed me he had no hopes of him recovering but he had very strong will power, and I thought he would get better but sadly to say, he was only in Hpl 3 weeks and 3 days when he passed away. Thank God i had my daughters to comfort me especially the eldest one who was still at home, never thought about marriage after her broken engagement. I was stunned, didn’t seem to think straight, so she saw to the funeral and his will she was a real brick and that’s why I made the house over to her.
87/
God has repaid her as she has a good job on the council and will soon be 57 and hopes to retire at 60. I hope I live to see that day but, I must leave that in God’s hands as I always think “his will be done” I have tried to be content, since losing my Husband nearly 12 years now. I go to 3 clubs and occasional holidays, that it is amazing how these years have flown. My eldest Grand Daughter is married to a very hard working man, who works at a farm I wonder if I shall become a Great-Grand-Ma, although at present no sign of one. My other gran-daughter is 26, but not engaged she is a very good worker for her church so is leading a very good and useful life.
88/
I have just been informed that I may become a Great Grandma in May, so with Gods help I pray all will be well with her I think she would like a son, but one must wait and see.

Today is the 11th Jan 1977, I have not written anything in this book, for a few months now, but today I should have gone dancing class but the frost is so severe this morning I did not think it wise to go out and felt nervous in case I slipped, I had a bad fall on march 7th last year and I fractured my arm, and that has made me nervous and I would like to live until I am 80 in April and a bit longer in the hopes of a Great Grandchild in May. Xmas was very nice for us as I spent Xmas day with my daughter and Hubbys family and then boxing day,
89/
they came to us that was my 58th wedding ann: but also my Husband has been gone 12 years now, so cannot share it with me in person but he is always in my thoughts. Everyone is wondering what this year will bring we do pray for health and prosperity for where are we if we haven’t good health to make progress. We (my single daughter) and I who I live with had nearly 130 Xmas and new year cards 3 (?) and numerous letters which I have to answer, I think a lot of folk are like me, you say, I wonder how so and so is and say I must write a few lines at Xmas, but not hearing to often makes the letters so full of ups and downs and of friends that have passed on. So me gets some sad and happy news that have happened during the year.
90/
We are now in Feb 1977 hoping this month will please bring us, some happy news, for Jan has been a sad month as my son-in-law was ill a month before Xmas and as there was no improvement his Dr sent him, to his Hpl where he has had all his OPs for the past 11 years, for his Hardened Arteries, this time it is a main one in the neck and after 2 special x-rays they have found it too risky to operate. So we don’t know what this months news will bring us. We are hoping he will recover as his married and eldest daughter is hoping to make him a Grand-dad. He is a very loving chap, so I know he would make a devoted Grand-dad that’s to be in May, so we have just put our trust in God and his mercy
91/
Today is June 10^th, so I have neglected writing this attempt of my life story, there is so much I have missed out, but do hope who ever reads it will amuse them for a few moments. First of all I must say, how happy I am that my eldest Grand-Daughter age 29 has made me a Great-Grand-Ma, a lovely little daughter born on May 16th so is now a month old. I was away on holiday when my daughter phoned through to tell me the news, I must admit I cried with joy and thanked God he had seen her safely through her confinement. Of course I had to treat my sister and friends who were with us to a drink for the Baby’s future. When I stopped writing in Feb my son-in-law was due for an examination at
92/
Hammersmith Hpl London but had to relate they have been unable to help him, for the last 4 months he has visited Hpl, but nothing done only to keep on tablets. His Dr says he will not be able to work anymore as his work was all figure work and he cannot concentrate on anything long, because of this clogged artery at the back of his neck, so we must trust in God, I feel thankful that we still have him with us. Now for a bit of news about myself, I was 80 on the 13th April and had over 40 cards lots of presents and general letters which I always enjoy receiving, my daughter i live with payed for my holiday at Hayling Is: sunshine holiday centre, which made my 4th visit and am now hoping to go again next year, having payed
93/
our Deposits, its such good value for money, food and entertainment, couldn’t be better. Although 80, a gentleman friend aged 60 and I entered a tournament for putting and we got to the final, but lost I was so disappointed for my partner as he had, had the patience to play with an 80 year oldun. He won in the final at Snooker so a bit of consolation, for him. We made friends with his wife and him the year before and they asked us to pal up with them this year and we have, as stated, hope to have their company next year!!! I should have been at a wedding today in my home town in Enfield but as I am going up there at the end of this month felt it a bit too much as I had a fall 2 weeks ago
94/
and although my knee is O.K when I walk it pains me to go up and down steps and feel it might give way, on the journey so I hope in 2 or 3 weeks’ time it maybe O.K .

Well today is the 17th Aug and I have had my holiday back in my home town of Enfield and returned back home 15th July. How the weeks have flown since then nothing special has happened only that I have had the joy of seeing my darling Great Grand Daughter reached the age of 3 months yesterday. I do hope I shall be spared to see her grow and run around, although I have to remind myself I am turned 80 and anything can happen before then. Well, today is Sept 15th and my great grandchild will be 4 months on the 16th (tomorrow)
95/
How the time passes 2 months have passed since scrawling in this book but during that time I have had a holiday with my sister (nearly 78) and her Hubby 79, and  my aunt 94 at Brightlingsea near Colchester Essex, they have recently moved there because my bro-in-law is a cripple and my sister and aunt too found stairs rather trying. He also wanted a garage for his car which he would not get about if he hadn’t one and the house we were all born in just a terrace house and no garage near or by. People were not as well off in my young days to be able to have a car, now practically every family owns one but not us, my daughter while could afford one now doesn’t like the idea of driving, she feels safer she says, on a Train or Bus.
96/
On my holiday at Brightlingsea I was able to visit friends and neighbours who have moved to there 13 or more years ago. I was taken to Clacton, Southend and west Mersea. What alterations every where since I was there 12 years ago, West Mersea and Brightlingsea now crowded with ships and yachts of all sizes and they make ships there for the Olympic games, saw some being made amazed me the size of the masts which do not look so large when one sees them in the sea. There is also a large swimming pool there that made it an ideal place for family holidays. My bro-in-law bought Oysters at £2 a day, but i would not eat them we had huge prawns instead I don’t know if my bro-in-law thought he might find a
97/
Pearl, but no luck, I know he had to use a screwdriver and hammer to open them. At Southend of course there were jellied eels for which the place is noted for.

How after a happy week I am at home getting back to my usual routine of house work and visits to my 3 clubs, one is a Dancing club, which I hope I can continue to go to now that I am 80. We have our days outings at the clubs, which helps to brighten ones old age so must keep our fingers X’d for the future.

I have not written anything for some months now but have had such happy moments with my darling Great Grand Daughter named “Hayley” who is now 11 months 16th April so will be 1 year God willing May 16th.

Today is the 1st of June, my
98/
youngest daughter’s wedding Ann: 32^nd, their eldest daughter is Jill aged 30 ( who requested me to scrawl this ?) and her younger daughter 26 (who is not married at present time of writing, but Jill’s little daughter now 1 year old and my Great Grand Daughter very forward for her 1st twelve months has taken a few steps on her own and has several teeth, very strong and wants to play with anything she can get her hands on so wants watching. I went for a weeks holiday, at sunshine, holiday centre last month my 5th visit and have booked for next year God willing I will be able to make it, as I shall be 82 then, I have had 2 invitations to weddings, one at Basildon , my neighbours son and one at Tottenham my sisters Grandsons wedding.
99/
Since I wrote this last page I have received the good news that my Grand-Daughter, who I said was not married has become engaged and hopes to marry in Nov: so that will be 3 weddings one in Aug: one in Sept: and now if all goes well 1 in Nov. These young couples need so much help these days, especially if they want to start married life on their own (which I think is right) I only hope they will be able to put a deposit down on a house for it’s hopeless to put your names down on a council house, where there are hundreds waiting.

Today is Aug 18th first of all I must say that my Grand Daughters wedding has been brought forward to Oct 21st how I long for that day and pray that they will both have many happy and healthy yeaRs of married life , “God will provide”
100/
It’s a pity I haven’t kept up with this scrawl as so much happens from day to day that one is likely to forget some interesting dates. But I must say our Darling baby is now 15 months and runs and climbs everywhere, she seems very intelligent and notices everything everywhere, and naturally wants, what takes her eyes most.

On the 10th of Aug I went to stay at Enfield with my youngest sister Rose. Enfield Meddow is a very historical place but being spoilt by the endless traffic, especially huge lorries that thunder through the town, they want new roads but as in the case of every country, lack of money stops them being made although planned. During my weeks stay with my sister we were invited to my eldest sister’s Grandsons wedding which was enjoyed by everyone, about 100 in all and everything went off splendidly, the Bride and Groom didn’t go away for a honey moon,
101/
but worked jolly hard making sure everyone was happy and having enough to eat and drink , which I might add there was plenty and lots left over. It was kept up until mid-night so as the wedding was at 2-30 you can tell everyone must have been jolly tired. We had special cars hired to take us to and from the reception and arr back at my sisters at ¼ to 1 am. The date was Aug 12th, on the following day Sun we went to Forty Hall, a lovely mansion and grounds left to the council by Colonel Bowles. They have turned the stables into a picture gallery and we spent quite a time seeing how Enfield was in years gone by and diff happening, also a cake had been made of one of the outside buildings that used to house the carriages and traps they used in bygone days! I remember
102/

them well I used to think how rich and lucky they were to own such buildings and horses and vehicles I often wondered when young, why some people had such big houses, with lots of rooms they didn’t use and poor people had to be content with such small houses especially where there were large families such as ours. There were 9 of us including mum and dad in a 2 bedroom house, but we were a happy family in spite of that and led decent clean lives, not like now-a-days when sex is spoken of too much everywhere. On Monday, I visited some of my friends I used to live near when I lived in Enfield and in the afternoon, I visited an O.A.P club where they had 32 children of various ages to interact with by dancing. They were very good and one must

103/

give credit to the teacher who taught them. The next day Tues my sisters and I visited my cousins ? and ? ? for the day and arr: home at 10pm. Wed: Rose and I went shopping and visited some of her BRA members. In the early evening went and visited my eldest Daughters friend of years gone by. Did not stay too long as we were expected at a Bingo and Dance at one of my sisters OAP clubs. Thursday I returned home after a very happy week and my eldest sister who has always met and taken me to catch my train at Victoria. I return in the mornings so as to be sure she gets home before dark. After a quiet weekend I visited friends at Durrington a lovely day, so walked there and back on Mon. Tues I visited my friend, before catching the train to my dancing class at Worthing

104/

Wed, my married daughter and Hubby, with my little G G Daughter came and we went to Highlands (Highdowns?) Gardens. A lovely day and a marvellous view all round. Thursday I visited my gentleman friend Fred who will be 84 Sept 7th. Quiet Fri and Sat but Sunday was my eldest granddaughters Birthday and we had her and all the family to tea, it was her 31st Birthday Aug 27th.  On Monday Bank holiday when I saw the (?) and as we had my daughters friend here all day finished up by playing cards. She has just gone home so I will leave this scrawl to a later date.  Tuesday Aug 30th I went to my dancing class at Worthing, Wed, I took my Gent friend by bus to Elsie and Jack friends at Durrington lane and they kindly brought us back. On the 13th of Sept, I went

105/

On an outing by coach with my Monday club, visited Surrey the potteries there and Guildford cathedral and then a trip on the river Wye to Godalming, at the end of the trip there was a nice tea ready for us, 42 with our driver where the coach was waiting to bring us home, a lovely day as the weather was good.

Today sept 19th I have visited my little Great Grand-daughter who is now 16th months, a little joy and growing each time I see her, tomorrow I am visiting my eldest sister at Enfield for a week and on Sat 23rd we have been invited to my nephew’s son’s wedding at Basildon so I will leave this to relate how I fare there.

Its 4 weeks since I attended my nephew’s son’s wedding, what beautiful weather they were blessed with and everything went according to plan, so far

106/

as we were aware up to 8-45pm when my sisters and I had to leave to catch a train back to London and then on to Enfield where my sisters both live. We arr: home a little after 11 o/c so that was good. The next day being Sunday we spent it quietly, with my youngest sister coming to (its?) as I was staying with my eldest sisters who lives about a mile or more from each other. On Monday we went to Canvey Island as my sister use to have a bungalow there and hadn’t visited the island since they sold it years ago. What a difference we found lots of houses and bungalows a new school and a large sports centre where they evidently try to cater for the residents of the island. We found the Bungalow they use to

107/

own and it is still paints the same colour green as when they sold it and was still in very good condition as far as we could see from the outside. As we got out at Benfleet Station we were surprised to see about 50 bicycles and motorbikes all padlocked to a wire fencing. The owners I expect worked on the mainland as I don’t think there is any factories there. Years ago there was a terrible flood and several people were drowned, so they have a very strong sea wall now. There were some men working with a drilling machine and all around the gravel and sand was a lovely rich colour. They do say they would like to dig for oil but I noticed there was a petition at the station against it. After a good walk round, we had our

108/

sandwiches with a shandy, from a very nice pub and as it was a nice day we sat outside. We got a train to Leigh-on-sea station and took a bus and asked for Alexander Rd I knew my friend lived near the station but the driver took us to Alexander Street which was right into Southend so we got a bus from there and it was only 6p where he had charged us 29p each, I kept asking him how far he was taking us and he said its a good way yet and so it was. Well we eventually arr: at my friend who I am glad to say is O.K. although 88. Her son was away on holiday so we were sorry not to see him. The Thursday before the wedding, I visited a friend in Enfield and her

109/

Husband, took us to his son who I have known since his birth. He lives at Welwyn Garden City and has a nice family of three and a very good hard working wife. They always make me so welcome, its nice to be greeted when one is deaf, like I am, and get very distressed at not being able to converse, but they made me understand so that makes me happy. On the Tues after the wedding, I visited my sister for tea and a game of cards. Weds I stayed in as my sister had her son calling and they were bringing his son’s wedding photos for me to see. On Thursday, I returned home my sister came to Victoria street to see me safely on my train to home where my daughter and Hubby were at

110/

the station with the car so i really had a very enjoyable week. My daughter I live with had been busy while I was away. She had decorated the lounge as she knows I don’t like the smell of paint, what a surprise and looks very nice and clean. I have been busy washing curtains and these last 2 weeks have flown, by with my usual visits to my clubs. Now we are looking forward to my youngest G. daughter’s wedding next Sat 21st Oct, may God grant them every happiness she is a very good living girl and is in the choir at her church, so naturally she is having it there, with a buffet in the church hall afterwards. I will leave this now and relate how it goes.

111/

Today is Nov 16th and the bride and bridegroom have now had their honeymoon on the I-of -White so by next sat: they will have been married a month. Their marriage service was lovely a full choir and almost a full church and a lovely sunny day to make things go well. The buffet was very well done with wine and champagne, which I didn’t expect to have at the church hall. What did cause sadness in the bride’s family was the passing of one of her uncles so after the wedding the bride’s father and mother had to hurry to Yorkshire for his funeral. He had a sudden heart attack and died almost immediately.

Today is March 9th 1979 I wonder if it is worthwhile continuing this scrawl, but

112/

as one or two people who have read this think I should so here goes. First I am glad to say my little G Grand-daughter is well and will be 2 next May. God has been good to me to see her grow into a very intelligent child, I only wish I could hear what she says but my daughter (her Grand Mother tells me) if one is talking they say, she repeats some of the words, so we will have to be careful how one speaks in her company. Since my Grand-daughters wedding in Oct there has been several parties for Xmas tide and now its March and the wind and rain is letting us know it. Well we have the spring to look forward to, the spring flowers are already out, in all

113/

gardens, which are very cheery to see, after a bad winter although we in the south, have been very fortunate compared to other counties and the north. If only these awful strikes would stop and people get on with their jobs this England of ours would be a much happier place than it is today. Thank goodness for the Labour government have granted O.A.Ps a decent pension. Although prices are high we were warned they would be if we went in the common market, so people should not complain if they voted for it. It seemed by the news we should be isolated if we didn’t and so much depends on our imports from other countries and as they all demand higher wages, it makes everything

114/

clearer for us. Since writing this scrawl, which was in March I have had my 82nd birthday. I had lots of presents and about 50 cards and my daughter Dora I live with gave a party to all my own family here. My 2 Sisters came too and stayed for a week as it fell on a good friday and I must add the weather was the best sunny Easter they had here for 30 years. We went on the pier on the Sat and the sun was red hot, but still a bit cool in the shade. I hope to go to the Hayling Island for a week on 12th of May as today is April 26th quite near. I have been invited to a relative at Harrow in June and in July my annual Visit to Enfield (my home town) when I try to visit my relatives and all friends

115/

Today is Aug 25th so its 4 months, since I scrawled on this note book I did go to Harrow with my eldest sister to keep eye on her son’s flat whilst they went to Spain for their annual holiday and there was also “Patch” their dog, to be fed and exercised, and he was a pleasure as he was so well mannered, after two weeks I went home to Enfield with my sister for a week and then on to my youngest sister who lives about an hours walk away. I stayed with her for 2 weeks and her and I then went to my other sister at Brightlingsea for a week so I was away for 6 weeks in all. I had intended to return home after 2 weeks and go back again in a couple of weeks time, but my eldest sister thought the traveling a bit too much as I have to go to Victoria

116/

from here (Goring) then underground to Liverpool street and then to Enfield and with luggage for 2 weathers, as it was very cool and wet when I went but improved as time went on. Since returning home I have felt very tired lots of days out to various sea-side places and of course lots of my friends I had left behind when I came to live here which is 12 years next Oct 1979. I am now trying to get back to my usual routine, but now Dora (my daughter) is retired makes chores a bit less. On the 12th Sept I am due on a Coach and sea trip, must relate, how I enjoy that later on. Then in Oct 6th I am booked for a week at St Leonards with a party of friends at a hotel that again remains to be seen, as I am now on the way to 83 so must beware!!!

117/

I have not written anymore scrawl since Aug: 1979 and now is June 1980. How the time has flown, the coach and sea trip last Sept was very enjoyable with lovely weather but the holiday to St Leonards, I am afraid didn’t come to pass as my friends and I were not well enough to go and we were lucky to get our £8 deposit back on Dr’s certificate.  My daughter who was retired, has been on a cruise to Australia for nearly 3 months and has had a week in Cornwall. She really is enjoying her retirement and as I have already stated does most of the household chores and shopping so it’s me who had retired and I am now very lazy, soon get tired so I must be warned my old age is beginning to tell. I hope to go to my eldest sisters on

118/

Friday 6th June and we may be going on to my other sister at Brightlingsea, who is moving to another bungalow nearer the shops as having lost her Husband misses his car for shopping and she still has my 96 year old aunt to care for! Today is July 19th so I have a lot of events to catch up on. I enjoyed my week at my sisters at Brightlingsea although she had only moved into her bungalow two weeks before she was settled apart from the garden which had been neglected and a few electrical jobs to be done. We went one day to a church fete and one day to Colchester which is a lovely shopping centre, after I had been home

119/

a few days I was taken by my daughter and Hubby to see my 2^nd G. Grand-daughter who is now 5 weeks old and was christened last Sunday 13^th July. She was christened at my Grand-Daughter’s church. As there were lots of people there (?) had the church (?) the boys brigade were there with their sisters in the Girl’s Brigade (???…) The youngest boy in his Brigade presented the mother of the baby boy who was being christened at the same time. It was indeed a lovely service (???..) the (?) His Church

120/

charge administered a lovely service all though he has a very likeable personality and I might add he has given my Grand-daughters Husband some great advice as he is going in for training to try and become a minister. He will have to go to college, for 3 years at Westminster College Cambridge so we won’t be seeing much of them after Aug: 13th which is the day they move to Cambridge. We shall have to manage a days visit to them during the 3 years often. On July 9th. I went to Eastbourne with my OAP club as we annually do, coach ride to a theatre where we saw a show with Danny la rue, very colourful but my deafness prevented me from me hearing the jokes and songs. The next day July 10th

121/

I went for a test for a new deaf aid but sorry to say I cant hear very much with it so I must try and go to a lip reading class to see if that will help me, I have recently heard my aunt 96 has had a fall but don’t know how much she has hurt herself, but with her age must be injured. Just had a phone call my aunt has been discharged from Hpl and is now in a nursing home where she spends every alternate 2 weeks to give my sister time to visit relatives fiends as she is over 80 and needs relaxation. Today is Sept 24th so I have neglected this scrawl for sometime now, but in the meantime I have had a few days outings, the last

122/

one to my grand-daughter Jean and Husband Edward and baby Mary who is now 3 months old and I have stated on page 120 that Edward was going to Westminster College for training to become a  Parson and as they couldn’t get anywhere else but a furnished house, we were anxious to see how they were. So Jean’s mother and sister Jill, my other Daughter and myself went last Friday and found them very happy and well and liked the part of Cambridge where they live. It’s a good 1/2 hours ride for Edward by bike to his college but he does try and do it weather permitting. Otherwise their 2nd hand car comes in handy, but so dear to run, so cycles when weather permits. We are

123/

surprised at the amount of subjects they have to learn, including Jewish but I guess they have to attend to anyone whatever their religion maybe in case of illness or death. They are on holiday at Xmas time so I don’t suppose we shall see them again until then, I hope “Baby Mary” has kept and grown healthwise, like wise her Mother and Dad. Well today is 13^th Jan Xmas has come and gone. I had my friend here for Xmas day so there was 3 of us and 8 on Boxing day as my eldest G. daughter and family came, as they had spent Xmas day with Jill’s in-laws, Edward and Jean and Baby Mary also spent Xmas at Edwards sisters family at Malborough, Wiltshire but they called on us a couple of times before going back to

124/

Cambridge, as the College opened on the 6th Jan. We have heard they arrived home safely but at the moment had colds. Everyone seems to have illness of some kind, myself I have had to see the Dr who said I was fairly congested, myself I should call it Bronchitis. He prescribed me cough mixture, which makes me come over very hot and drowsy so I have not been out of doors, for 3 weeks now. I begin to wonder if I will be able to resume my dancing class and clubs I miss going out as I cannot take interest in tele or wireless as I am more or less totally deaf now and that makes one feel cut off as only the deaf understand. My eldest G Grand-daughter is now a growing girl of 3 1/2 whilst the young is nearly 8 months now and a lovely girl named Mary. We hope to see them

125/

at Easter when the college classes take Easter recess, I hope to go on holiday 16th May but as my health hasn’t been all that good lately go to keep my fingers X’d, Unfortunately my eldest G. daughters Husband has been made redundant and they are buying their house, what a tradgedy, our country state of affairs are today. We used to work so hard for so little in our young days but now they want to work less and get more money, we wonder we are not prospering. I had not been out for a few weeks due to my very chesty cold, so my sister 81 came to see me from Brightlingsea Colchester for a few days and as I had an appointment at the chiropodist my daughter Joan and her Husband took me by car and my sister and I walked home, my 1st walk out and I still don’t feel confident of walking out on my own

126/

so as I have asked to go back to my hometown (Enfield) in 3 weeks time I am hoping I shall be fit by then and we have booked a weeks holiday in May so I must keep my fingers X’d hoping I will be well enough to go. Today is Feb 2nd  my youngest daughters 60th birthday. Thank God for taking care of her as I was very ill at her Birth. Since Feb 2nd I haven’t been at all well I haven’t been out for 6 weeks. Last Sun: I visited my two very good friends in Hpl one has been in a coma for 3 weeks and the other a gentleman is under observation. I ventured out to my dancing class yesterday (Tues Feb 10th) not doing too much dancing but feel a bit tired today, old age will tell I guess as I hope to 84 next month April,

127/

Today 12th March weather a bit lighter with some bursts of sunshine so I have been out and got my pension and I feel I haven’t got my usual stride back yet. While I was away at Enfield my eldest G. Grand-daughter had mumps she goes to a play group so they are bound to pick up these youngsters complaints, she is better now thank goodness but her mother has been to bed with humps and still is, they say the germ gets stronger as one catches it and as these winds aren’t very helpful one has got to be careful before venturing out, so we do hope all will be well and that her Husband doesn’t get it as we are expecting our other G. Grand-Daughter to visit us at Easter.

Today is July 8th 1981, how

128/

the time has flown since Easter, when we were fortunate to have all the family here for my 84th Birthday. It was a lovely warm day for 13th April and we had several snaps taken in the garden as it was warm enough to sit out.

Since then I am afraid we have had a lot of rain and winds a couple of floods locally, but thank God, it didn’t come to us. I felt so sorry for those who had all their carpets soaked and not being sunny weather to dry them out, the dampness always seems to cling and smell afterwards. June was very changeable weather but those last few days it is really like summer I hope it will help the vegs and fruit to recover from the very wet and windy seasons we have had.

129/

Not a lot has happened since I last wrote about my, grand-son-in law being made redundant. He was lucky enough to be offered a job that one of his mates turned down. The money was less but  how glad I was to know, at least he hadnt got to go on the “Dole”!! My other Grand-son-in law who is training to be a Parson has passed his 1st period of tests and at the moment are living at his mother’s for a time, before going back for more tests. I do hope he will be able to help people to lead a good life, for me are having such awful violence and thieving, due I think to the dreadful employment of our once beloved country, I was to be so proud to

130/

hear our song “Land of Hope and Glory” but now one has to wonder when will we be great again. Since I wrote those last lines we have had a happy event with our Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer. It was a lovely Ceremonial wedding and most people and children were given the days holiday. The pageantry was very moving also the Cathedral St Pauls was packed with all Kings and Queens from most nations, as well of course all our own Royalty. The happy couple are now honeymooning on Her Majesty Queen’s boat and calling at various places. One prays they will have good health to enable them to carry out all the duties that they will have to perform. The public was so happy for them and the

131/

way they cheered and blessed them made me feel proud to be British, if only we hadn’t got nearly 3 million unemployed one could really feel we were Great Britain again. Yesterday was the 8th of August 1981 and was my youngest G. daughters 30th birthday she, her Hubby Edward and Baby Mary visited her mum and dad and I visited them there. They have leave as Edwards 2nd period of training doesn’t begin until after the summer college resumes. Baby Mary now is nearly 14 months, I thank God for letting me see my G Grand children grow, how proud my Hubby would have been to see them well perhaps he can from up above for all we all hope to meet our lost ones, some day!! My youngest Great grand daughter

132/

is now 18 months old so it’s over 4 months since I wrote this scrawl. Since then I have lost 3 dear friends I had made since coming to live here (over 13 years) 2 were ladies and the other a gentleman I made friends with at one of our O.A.P clubs. He died in the Hpl the next day to his 89th Bday I miss him because he was deaf, (not so bad as me) and so understanding and patient when trying to make me hear, he said, no one can realize unless they are deaf, how miserable it is, to see others laugh and talk and you don’t know what it’s all about. Today is the 20th of Jan and the snow has all cleared, but we did not have much thank goodness but Scotland the North and the Midlands, have had

133/

it severe and now the thaw is on and very bad floods causing a lot of homeless and damage, I see the government are giving millions to help compensation but it will take months of good weather, to get rid of the damp odour.

The weather made a lot of people stay at home for Xmas, luckily my little family of 10 live near, so we were able to spend most of the Xmas tide together, which was 4 years this days, so catering had to be well thought out. How we are hoping that this New Year will bring us peace and prosperity, for we need it with nearly 3 million unemployed.

Today is April 22nd 1982, how quickly time has flown since Xmas, I had hoped in my last sentence of 1981, that we would have peace and prosperity, but also that

134/

is not to be for Argentina have invaded our Falkland Islands and we are hoping they will come to terms to share the governing of it, but our Navy is near in case they fire first so remains to be seen, I do sincerely hope there won’t be bloodshed! My G. grand-daughter started school on Mon April 19th aged 5 years on May 16th, She came today and looked very nice in her school uniform, which is white blouse and grey knitted pinafore dress with grey cardigan. I reached my 85th Bday on Apr 13th and my daughter Dora gave the family a tea for me. My 2 Grand-daughters were here with their Husbands and my 2 Great Grand- daughters, but my

135/

youngest daughter Joan and Hubby were missing as Jack wasn’t very well so Joan stayed at home with him naturally, Of course with his Hardened Arteries one has to expect these ups and downs to his health, but thank God he is a little better and able to drive his car, only short distances though. Today is 21st of June so is over 2 months since I wrote, in that time my son-in-law has been in Hpl for 10 days and is now home again for 1 month while they will see if anything can be done about his Hardened Artery in his neck as they couldn’t OP, its too near the brain. We are praying that something will be done, they do some wonderful

136/

things now-a-days, so we have just got to keep on praying and with Gods help he may be O.K. I managed to go dancing yesterday, trying not to do too much as I have been having dizzy spells so I thought I had better rest on the bed after lunch and was unhappy tonight as a neighbour has told me a friend I and her brother called and as I am so deaf didn’t hear them. I feel so unhappy not being able to enjoy too much and feel a nuisance to people. We my daughters and I went to my Great Grand-Daughters school and to hear the 5 year old class sing and do the actions they were very well behaved and done the actions with the song almost perfect!!

137/

A credit to the teachers and pianist, something I enjoyed seeing, if not hearing. We have had my youngest G. daughter home in Worthing for a month. They have been staying with her mother in law and her Hubby who has just done his 2nd year of training to become a pastor and spent some of his days preaching at diff churches (all part of the training). He has 1 more year at college and one wonders when he passes where he wil be sent, we hope not too far away as they have a 2 year old little girl “Mary” who is really lovely and one would like to see her grow up although I must not look too far ahead as I am getting on for 84 and pray God will give me good health to live a few more years!!

138/

My eldest Daughter, Dora will soon be 64 and has just returned from a holiday in Switzerland. Today is March 11th and sad to tell my youngest daughter 62 last month has been in Hpl 3 weeks today, She had a fall in the bathroom at 1st it was thought it was a light stroke but at Hpl where she was sent straight away said it was a brain hem: and so far too ill to operate on, I am so shocked I cannot think of much else but pray that “God” will perform a miracle for us all and bring her safely home. She has been a devoted wife and mother so do “pray” she will have a few more happy years.

Today is June 22nd and I have not written to this book since my dear daughter Joan was in Hpl.

139/

Unfortunately, she never recovered and we lost her on March 12^th. How we miss her, but they try to console me saying she would never be the same if she had had a brain OP. All the same, only a mother understands and think it wrong, they should go before their mother. She was only 62 and I am 86 and would have gladly given my life, to save her, but thank “God” she is free from pain and worry so must try and console ourselves with that thought. She has left 2 Daughters and 2 Grand Daughters whom she was devoted to they are 6 and 3 so really cannot understand why she has gone to heaven. Her youngest daughter’s Husband is to be a pastor in Aug how

140/

How proud she would have been. His mother who is a widow must be proud too, may God help him in his Christian endeavour.

Today is April 23rd 1984, what a lot has happened since my son in laws ordination, my son-in-law went to the ordination which was held in (? ?) in a house that the church had found for them to live, a 4 bedroom house so they are able to have lots of church meetings etc there so no need for a hall. He is in charge of 5 villages but there is I understand a main church “United free church” there, I have not been there yet, don’t know if my age will permit me to travel too far away from home as I am on the way for 88.

141/

My youngest daughter died on March 12th brain hemorage. My son-in-law could not get over losing my dear Joan and fretted and died Dec 5^th, just 9 months afterwards. They were a devoted couple, and my daughter used to do most of all chores as he had a Hardened artery in his neck and she was scared, he would have a hem: which unfortunately he had, must have done something to cause that to happen for he just laid down for a rest as he usually did and died, on the day my Husband passed away 19 years ago. so you see 1983 was a very sad year for me and I haven’t felt well enough to add to this scrawl and having scanned it through realize I have repeated some things over again and therefore feel it not worth continuing, but

142/

as you have asked me to tell you if I received your letter, I must say I am sorry but, my 2 bereavements of March and Dec last year, I haven’t felt well enough and had no intention of writing any more, but as I was only writing this for my Grand-daughter request and she urged me to send it to professor John Burnet, who kindly posted it back to me and said he wanted material of early 1900 I was born 1897.