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Elizabeth Rosina Doris Guy

SHIRLEY THOMAS NEE WYATT

THE WOMEN WHO MADE ME - MY MOTHER

ELIZABETH ROSINA DORIS GUY b 1928

Elizabeth was born on the 17th of November 1928 to Elizabeth and William Guy, known as Lizzie and Bill. They lived at 9 Wells Street, St Augustines, Bristol. Bills occupation Warehouseman Beer Bottlers. The house was near The Hatchet Inn, Bristol.

Lizzie and Bill were married on the 7th December 1925 and were beginning to think that they would never have children.

So Elizabeth, known as Betty, was a very much loved only child.

When Lizzie was expecting Betty, Bill had some shrapnel taken from his knee because it had swollen up. Bill had served as a soldier in the 1914-1918 war.

I have a letter from Bill to Lizzie at that time. Bill says that he is going on fine, the Dr says it is nearly healed. Sending the certificate for you to take to the offices and hope to get 5 shillings from the man who makes out the papers.

Sadly Lizzie lost another daughter named Diana born on 8th Feb 1932, at the General Hospital, Bristol. She died 9th Feb 1932, 1 day old from being born premature. The address of father William Guy 2 Somerset Terrace,Windmill Hill, Bristol.

In the  house at Wells St also lived Lizzie's youngest sister Rosina and her husband John Collins.

Rosina already had a daughter Patricia born 20th Nov 1925 and was expecting another baby Helena born 20th Dec 1928. Rosina had lost a son John William Collins at birth in 1927.She also had another daughter Doris in Mar 1932.

In those days people could only afford to rent rooms. Also having and bringing up children was not easy.

Betty was baptised on the 16th Dec 1928 at St Augustine the Less, Bristol. I still have the christening veil. Babies wore a dress and a veil.

The family moved to Windmill Hill, Bedminster, Bristol. Opposite Victoria Park, much healthier away from the city. Nearby In Elvaston Rd lived her Gran Emily, Aunty Doris, Uncle Reg and cousin David. Betty could remember her Dad teasing her with something hidden behind his back. He said it's not for you but it was a lovely childs tea-set. Betty loved this and played with it for years. Bill loved his daughter and Betty could remember that he would take the skin from grapes and the seeds from tomatoes, this was to make it easier for a small child to eat.

Bettys cousin Nancy Sennett (nee Crane) could remember Uncle Bill always reading a book and eating an apple.

Also her cousin Pat (Patsy) Mckenney (nee Collins) said Uncle Bill always wore brown suits.

Bill had family in Cardiff. His father's sister Aunt Alice Tyrell and her family. They would travel by paddle steamer from Bristol Docks to Cardiff Docks, a lovely day out for the family. I have a lovely photo of Betty on board the paddle steamer as a very small child. There is also family photos of trips to Bees Tea Gardens and Weymouth.

One day Betty aged 4 opened the door to her Father, he was holding a bloodied handkerchief to his mouth. He pushed by her and rushed into the house. She was very upset as he always made a fuss of her. His roughness was due to a serious and fatal illness from his injuries in the first world war. Bill was a foreman in the bottling dept, at Bristol Brewery. They were short staffed, he helped to lift the crates. The shrapnel in his body moved, pierced his heart and lungs. Sadly Bill died in hospital, age 38, on the 17th April 1933. Also at that time Lizzie's sister Rosina died from TB.

 Children were not told things and so Betty wondered where her Father was. Lizzie had to go to work and they went to live with Bill's family. His Mother Emily, half sister Doris and her Husband Reg Bowden. In Elvaston Rd, near Victoria Park. It was Reg who one day explained that her Father had gone to heaven and would not come back.

At that time small children could wander around Bristol quite safely and Betty walked to Bristol Brewery and stood outside the gates. Just hoping and waiting for her much loved Father to walk out of the gates, but he did not come.

In Sept 1933 Betty started at Victoria Park school and her Grandmother Emily would take and fetch her. In March 1935 Betty entered a flower competition. The Bristol Gardens Guild at The Corn Exchange. She won first prize, Daffodil in a pot, children under the age of 11. It was reported in The Bristol Evening Post on Friday 22nd March 1935.

Betty loved to go visiting with her Grandmother Emily and visit Emily's daughter Ada Crane and family. Also Emily's brother Alfred Blackmore and family.

As an only child she loved to play with her six cousins at Ada and Charlie Cranes. Sometimes Betty would stay overnight and Emily would fetch her the next day. Betty went to cousin John Crane's baptism at St Michael's church and then back to the house for a tea party.  At one time Emily had also lived at 1 Oxford Street, Kingsdown and had turned the front room into a sweet shop. This is how Lizzie and Bill had met. Bill lived at 1 Oxford Street and Lizzie lived next door with her Father at 2 Oxford Street.

Emily had another daughter Annie who had two daughters Joyce and Jean.

Also Betty’s paternal Uncle Archibald (Archie) Guy had come back for his brother Bill's funeral in 1933. Archie had worked on board ships as a waiter. He went to live in Tasmania married Madge and had a son Freddie. At first they stayed with his Mother Emily then rented a house in Raymond Rd, Bedminster, where Margaret was born.They moved to 112 St Michaels Hill, Kingsdown. They ran it as a guest house and had actors and chorus girls from the Theatres staying there. Billy was born there. When Betty was older she helped out by serving guests at the table. So there were three more cousins for Betty to play with. A total of eleven cousins from her father's side of the Family.

Maybe because of all the trauma Betty was a sickly child and missed a lot of time off school. Suffering from many stomach upsets, and at one stage, as a result of rheumatic fever, on the verge of St Vitus Dance (now known as chorea). She was also hospitalised when a young girl was looking after her. The girl pretended to drink the water from a flower vase. Betty drank this contaminated water. Because she was so hysterical in hospital Lizzie had to sign Betty out.

Lizzie loved her little daughter and tried to give her all she could. So Betty had dance and piano lessons. She was in dance displays and was a pupil of the dancing school of Miss  Gwen Oxley. One of the displays was at the Redcliff Day celebrations at Ashton Court Bristol. Betty said that they had to dance in the boxing ring. Another display was at Wycliffe Congregational Church, each occasion pictures shown in the newspaper (which i have the original ). Aged 9 she took a music exam at the Royal Hotel, College Green, Bristol. The result: First Class, 81 out of 100.

Lizzie and Betty moved many times.

After living at Elvaston Rd, Lizzie took rooms at St Lukes Rd for herself and Betty. Also Bettys Grandad John Brown and Uncle Jock came down from London. Uncle Fred stayed in London. Betty went to Windmill Hill school. They moved again and rented a ground floor flat, Bloomfield Rd, Brislington. Uncle Jock went back to London. While Lizzie was at work  her Father would take Betty to school. On Betty’s tenth birthday her Grandad bought her a lovely necklace which I have. They moved again and rented a house in 24 Cuffington Avenue, Brislington.To help out with the cost of living, Uncle Fred came from London to live with them. Betty loved living in a house especially as it had three bedrooms, a bathroom and a garden.

The 1939 war census states.

Elizabeth C Guy, widow, b 5 Jan 1900, laundry ironer.

Elizabeth R D Guy, b 17 Nov 1928, at school.

Frederick C W Brown, b 25 July 1913, dryers and cleaners Hoffman presser.

John C Brown, b 15 July 1868, Tailors trouser hand.

World War 2 began on 3rd Sept 1939. Children were given Gas masks. Air-raid shelters were built in the back gardens. Betty now went to Senior Girls School at St Annes. The school had shelters underground. As well as the Gas masks the girls were given cotton wool for the ears and a toffee to keep jaws together.  On Betty's 11th birthday on the 17th November the sirens sounded during her birthday party. Betty was having such a lovely time but all her friends had to hurry home as fast as they could. Warning of the first air-raid over Brislington. It was the first time they had heard the siren.

The shelters were not built in every garden, so Lizzie and Betty had to share with two other families. That was 8 people in a 6 by 6ft square of space. Mr and Mrs Pavey and two young daughters, who lived next door. A man and his wife, who lived next door again.

Grandad Brown would not go to the shelter.

Mrs Pavey put a mattress in the shelter and they lay head to feet eight people in a row.

Sometimes the air raids would go on for hours,they could hear the bombs falling and then the explosions, also the Ack Ack gunfire trying to shoot the planes down. When they heard the whining of the bombs falling and praying it would not hit them. In the morning everyone was exhausted, Lizzie had to go to work and Betty to school. It was a long walk to school, up Bloomfield Rd,down one side of St Annes Wood, then up the other side, with her friend from next door Audrey Pavey.

Everyone had to sign on for the War Effort and Betty went with her Mother. Lizzie always tried to look her best and Betty felt so proud of her Mum that day. She could recall that the other women looked so shabbily dressed but her Mum looked lovely. Lizzie always worked hard and at that time worked in the Laundry. She became Head Pleater at Bolloms. One day Lizzie had damaged a shirt at work while ironing. The boss made her go and apologise to the customer. Betty went with her and was so sad that her Mum was made to do this.

Betty's Gran Emily became ill with heart problems. She asked Lizzie to look after her. So they went to live for a while with Gran who lived with her daughter Doris and family at 110 St Michaels Hill. Doris ran it as a guest house for the stars appearing at The Bristol Hippodrome. The bombing got really bad so Uncle Reg put a mattress in the cellar, so all the family slept there. The coal cellar was also there with an opening to the pavement. It was going to be Bettys job to crawl over the coal and up through to the pavement, if the family were bombed and trapped in the rubble. Sometimes the electric would go off and other times the water supply. A water lorry would stop in the street and they would have to go out with buckets and bowls to get the water.

One night the bombing was so bad the family decided to go to a street shelter. Betty looked down the hill and saw all Bristol alight. Great flames leaping up from Castle St and Victoria St. It was such a terrible sight and then she saw a man with bandages all over his face. She was terrified. Another time the air raid siren went, the family were on the way home. Lizzie and Betty made it to the house. They were so worried as the rest did not make it. Bettys Gran Emily could not run, so they went to the nearest shelter. It was such a relief to be reunited later. Gran Emily and family decided to leave the city and live in the countryside. Emily had a cousin Esther Pearce who lived in a village West-Harptree, Somerset.

One day there was a visitor who looked familiar and was talking to her Mum. It was Lizzie's sister Edith (Gladys). Betty did not know that her Mum had a sister.

Gladys and her husband Ernie Cottis ran a pub in London. The Volunteer Inn, Croydon.They asked Lizzie and Betty to go and stay with them. So they gave up the house in Bloomfield Rd and put the furniture in store. Grandad Brown went to Devon. Uncle Jock was in the Air Force and Uncle Fred was in the Army. Lizzie and Betty stayed in Croydon for a while and Lizzie served in the Pub Bar. Betty went to the local Senior School and made friends. Uncle Fred came on leave and Betty walked to the shops with him. She felt so proud as he was in his Khaki uniform.

Once again Gran Emily needed her daughter-in-law and so they left London to join the family in West-Harptree. Mr and Mrs Pearce only had three bedrooms. Mr Pearce was the village Postman. The house was full, so each night Lizzie and Betty had to walk up Ridge Lane to sleep at another house. The house was lovely and clean and Betty loved the soap, Geranium. They would wake up in the morning to the sound of cows mooing and a cockerel crowing. It was bliss after all the bombing in Bristol. They loved the country life and would pick primroses and wild violets. Lizzie got a lift to work each day into Bristol about 17 miles. Betty went to the village school. This was at the age of 13 that Betty first saw her future husband William James Wyatt also age 13. He could recall turning back to look at the new girl and was totally smitten. Betty looked much older than her thirteen years. She had lovely dark wavy hair, wore a lovely red jumper and a scotch plaid skirt. There was one large room with a curtain in the middle. One side the Juniors the other the Seniors. There was another small room for the infants. On Tuesday evenings Betty helped to run the school library. There were two rubber stamps one with the date and another with the date due back, she felt very grown up stamping the books.

While Lizzie was at work Betty had to help the family. Aunty Doris would be in bed, so Betty did the cleaning. Got herself and her little cousin David their breakfast then both to school. One day her Gran Emily was crying out for help. She was struggling to breathe and had slipped down in the bed. Betty got into the bed and helped her Gran sit up, this was not easy as Emily was a big woman.

Gran Emily was totally bed ridden and did not want her daughter to look after her. Once again Lizzie would look after her mother-in-law during the night and with little sleep go to work the next day. Betty had to sleep in a bed chair downstairs. Emily was taken into the local hospital and sadly died on the 15th June 1941 age 72.

There was now a spare room, so Lizzie and Betty came to live at Mr and Mrs Pearce house in the village street. In the evenings they used to listen to the radio, play cards or board games and bagatell. They would knit socks or balaclavas for the troops. Betty joined the Church Choir and practised each Wednesday evening. They sang an Anthem at Christmas and Easter. Betty even joined the women's institute with her Mother at age 14.

Springtime at the back of the cottage was an apple orchard. Betty was amazed at row upon row of beautiful blossom on the trees. She also picked bunches of blue bells. The life of Lizzie and Betty had improved by living in the country. They did not have a proper bathroom but they felt safe. A lovely lady in the village Mrs Frances Wyatt (future mother-in-law) would let them use her bathroom and also cooked a lunch for Betty each day. Samuel and Frances Wyatt lived in 14 The Council Houses later (Ridge Lane) with their two sons. Samuel(Tom) and William(Jim).

In 1941 Lizzie and Betty were invited to a family wedding in Bristol. On Good Friday, Bristol had a terrible raid. Saturday was the wedding ceremony of Nancy Crane and Jack Sennett. After celebrating at Ada and Charlie Crane's home The Mall, Clifton, the sirens went. The wedding party took shelter in The Clifton Rocks Railway.

A Telegram was delivered  it was news of Grandad Brown. He had fallen and was in Exeter hospital. It was said that he also had a double hernia and would not have an operation, due to the things he saw when serving in the army as a ward orderly. Lizzie and Betty caught the bus to Bristol and the train to Okehampton where he was living. At the hospital they managed to see him before he died. Betty as a child was only allowed to look at him through the window. Grandad Brown's last words were of of his son Fred.

Fred had been reported missing but was a prisoner of war in Singapore with the Japanese.

That night they had nowhere to stay and lodged with a kind lady, but had to sleep in the same bed as this lady. Lizzie asked The British Legion to arrange the funeral as her father was an old soldier, she did not have the money. They covered the coffin with the union jack flag. The service was held in the parish church Okehampton and placed in an unmarked grave. Just Lizzie and Betty. John Charles Brown  age 75 died 1942.

Lizzies brother Jock arrived when it was all over, he had come from where he was stationed in Scotland.

 They returned to West-Harptree. After Emily had died Doris, Reg and David had moved. They had taken a flat in the next village Compton Martin. Lizzie and Betty took two rooms at the village school house West-Harptree. They used some of the furniture that was stored in Bristol and the rest was stored in the village. At the age of 14 Betty left school and two weeks before Christmas 1942 started work at the village store.The wages 12/6 (65p) a week. Hours 9-1, and 2-6. Sat 9-1.

For the War Effort the village held whist drives and auctions, all fundraising. Whilst still at school Betty and the other older girls were given gloves to go and pick nettles. Another time they were asked to go and pick Blackberries. The men who were too young or too old had to join the Home Guard or Observer Corp. Some American soldiers were stationed on the Mendips. They came to the local Saturday dances, held West-Harptree, East- Harptree and Compton Martin. Later when the black Americans came and wanted to join in at the dances, Betty witnessed the awful way they were treated by the white Americans and was upset. There was one young white american soldier (Yank) who always asked Betty to dance.She said it would have been rude to refuse.

Anyway by now she was going out with William (Jim) Wyatt.

Betty and Jim also had lessons to learn to play the church organ.

They also performed in pantomimes and toured around the villages. The money raised was enough to replace the village church clock, St Marys West-Harptree. A lovely photo of Betty dressed as a Hawaiian hula girl was hung above Jim's bed.

Lizzie and Betty moved again to a two roomed cottage next to the village garage. The stairs were sloping backwards, but they soon learnt how to walk up them.

Lizzie got a job in the village bakers, so no more traveling into Bristol.

All this time there was food rationing, coal rationing and clothing coupons. The slogan for those days were also Make Do and Mend. Every thing was saved or reused.

The village garden fete Betty helped out with the teas. The Somerset Guardian, Friday 30th July,1943, there is an article. Garden fete at the vicarage West-Harptree raised over £62. Listed,  with others Miss Betty Guy who assisted with the Teas and buffet.

On the 25th Nov 1944 at the age of 16 Betty had to register with The Ministry of Labour and National Service. Her duties were to go around the village and sell the national savings stamps, then when there was enough, get savings certificates from the Post office in the village shop. At the end of the war she was presented with a certificate which states. Presented in recognition of the notable service freely given 1943-1946, to the National Savings Movement.

In 1945 the war was over and everyone was so happy, but still hoping that the war in the Far East would soon be over.

There was dancing in the village street and then up to the village hall. The Crown at West-Harptree had only Cider and Whisky to sell that night, because beer and spirits were rationed.

Uncle Jock and Uncle Fred were demobbed, they came to live with Lizzie and Betty in the small cottage. Lizzie put up a screen in the bedroom to partition, one side for her brothers, the other for herself and Betty. Not ideal for a young teenage girl. Fred was really ill from his treatment with the Japanese  and was suffering from Berry berry .Lizzie nursed him back to health.

Betty's future husband also left school at the age of 14. He worked as a farm labourer for Farmer Marshall in the village. Jim Wyatt was a good looking young man, tall with blond hair. She used to see him riding the farmers horse through the village looking wonderful. They also used to have lovely long walks up Ridge Lane. One day for fun Jim sat her on the farmers cart horse and she was terrified. It was so high up from the ground.

At one time they fell out and Betty went out with Arthur Chapell (Samuel Wyatts cousin). It did not last as Arthur couldn't dance.

They got back together and all was good, although Lizzie and Betty went back to Bristol to live. Also Uncle Fred. Lizzie had been unwell and had to have an operation. The cottage in West-harptree was very basic. So Ada and Charlie Crane offered them three rooms in their house in City Road, Bristol. It had a bathroom, gas and electricity. Ada and Charlie looked after their Grandson, David Crane and Betty would take him along to the shops to buy sweets. Jim would drive into the city regularly to see her. Betty had a job in a paint factory in Fishponds. She loved working there sticking labels on the paint tins, singing along with the girls to the music.

It was at a jewlers in Fishponds that Jim bought Bettys engagement ring. He did not have quite enough money but the jeweler let them have the ring.

On 11 October 1947 they married at St Mary's Church, West-Harptree.Betty age 18 and Jim age 19. Betty borrowed a dress from one of Jim's cousins as there was still rationing. Jim paid for the bridesmaids dresses by selling a calf to his Dad. Aunty Gladys came down from London and along with Lizzie helped her to get ready. This was at Jim's parents house, he got ready in his Uncle Frank's house next door. The wedding car arrived and it was driven by Mr Cattell, owner of the village garage. Her Great Uncle John Tyrell from Cardiff gave Betty away.

After the wedding they moved into Clay Bottom Cottage, Little Stoke, the parish of Stoke Gifford. They were joined by Lizzie. Jim had got this tied cottage to rent as he now worked for Farmer Howard Davis of Little Stoke Farm. The cottage was very old and water was pumped from the well into the kitchen. No bathroom or inside toilet. Oil Lamps for light. That winter was the coldest in memory. Betty got a job in Mr Wheelers shop at the end of Station Road. Family came to visit and when the weather improved they would sit in the garden or walk to the pub for drinks. Summer 1948 Betty realised that she was pregnant with her first child. As there  was no electricity Jim dug a trench from the farm and a cable was laid to the cottage.At last they had electric lights. He also put an Elson toilet in one of the spare bedrooms upstairs. Before Betty became pregnant they had a tandem and used to ride out to West-Harptree to visit Jim's parents. Coming back home down Dundry Hill she would close her eyes tight until they got to the bottom. They could also catch a bus to the centre Bristol, and another from Prince St to West-Harptree. One day Betty pregnant had a lovely photo taken of her whilst walking along to catch the Harptree bus. It was printed in the Bristol Evening Post. Also while pregnant Betty looked after Mike Sennett while Nancy Sennett (nee Crane) was giving birth to Sandra.

In January 1949 Betty gave birth at home to a daughter named Shirley. She was attended by Dr Brownridge and the Midwives from Patchway Health clinic. Sister Shaddick and Nurse Llewlyn. Betty's mother Lizzie was also there. Jim was downstairs boiling up some water. Betty was aged 20 and Jim was aged 21 later that month.

The baby girl was the first Miss Wyatt for a generation and a great deal of fuss was made of her. The family loved having visitors which were usually at the weekend. Jim and Lizzie were both at work Lizzie worked for the catering company Morans. Betty was at home with the baby for many hours on her own. It was not easy for her but sometimes she worked back at Mr Wheelers shop. The baby was in a pram outside in the yard and Mr Wheeler's daughter was looking out for her.

In 1950 the family saved up for a lovely holiday to Butlins Skegness. They traveled by train, Jim, Betty, Shirley, Lizzie and her brother Fred. It was a great success. Then family came to visit (the Cranes) and informed them that they were going to emigrate to Australia. There was a scheme by the Government that you could go for £10. This seemed like a good idea.So plans were made.

They had to have a sponsor, so they arranged for Bettys Uncle Arch and Wife Madge Guy, who lived in Waddamana, Tasmania. They packed everything up in packing cases and said goodbye to the family. It was so sad for Jim's family, his Mum and Dad, Frances and Sam Wyatt, also Jims older brother Tom. They set sail from London on the Weds 19th September 1951 on the SS Ranchi. The ship was converted into a troop ship during the war and remained the same. It was such a shock to Betty that she was separated from Jim. All the men slept in cabins of ten and the women and children also in cabins of ten. There were other family members also traveling with them. Ken (Roy) and Mary Crane and Lena who was to marry Roy Peters, Ken Crane's best friend who was already in Australia.

The SS Ranchi broke down in the Suez canal. It was very bad as everyone had to sleep on deck in the dark. Shirley developed a sore throat and boils, along with many other children. Betty was so worried. At times the Doctors were drunk and the nurses had to look after the children. The shipping company quickly flew out an engineer, as the ship was blocking the canal. It took a week for the ship to be repaired. When they eventually arrived in Melbourne it had taken six and a half weeks.

They all had to stay in a transit camp. Which were wooden huts to sleep in and a separate dining room. Then they were on the move again to Tasmania, across the Bass Straits on the Ferry Boat “ Taroona”. It was a very rough crossing. They got on a coach, a long trip round mountains and scary roads down into a valley to Waddamanna.

They had arrived at the Guest House which was the home of their sponsors. Archie and Madge Guy. It was a large bungalow and at the side was a veranda with 24 bedrooms, bathrooms and a large dining room for the workmen. Betty and Lizzie helped out in the kitchen and served the guests in the main dining room. Jim got a job in the village at The Hydro Electric Company. The water that powered the hydro was tumbling down behind the  back of the guest house. Betty was so worried all the time that Shirley might fall in. The village had a school, a post office and a grocers shop. Both shops only opened weekdays in the afternoon. There was an ambulance and a nurse, as there were about twenty bungalows in the village with families. The man that owned the grocers shop also had another shop in the nearest village Bothwell, twenty miles away. Luxury items could be ordered from him and you could collect the next day.

Jim was taken very ill with Pleurisy when they first arrived. He was in bed and the nurse came each day to give him injections. She had phoned the nearest Doctor for instructions. Betty was so worried but luckily Jim soon got better.

As Betty and Jim were a young couple they would go to the village hall some Saturdays for a film show. They also went to a Christmas Dance but the people were not very friendly. Betty and Jim sat on one side of the hall and the rest on the other side.

Eventually a Scotsman asked Betty for a dance and informed her that you had to go and speak to them as he found out when he was first there.

 Life living with her Uncle and Aunt was also not what they had hoped for, coming from rationing the food that they were given could have been better. Also when Jim was ill Aunty Madge did not visit him to see if he was OK. They moved out and rented a shack in the village and Lizzie got a job in Hobart as a Pastry Cook.

Uncle Arch and Aunty Madge were leaving the guest house and taking another position in Hobart, so Lizzie applied and was accepted. So they moved back. It was owned by the Hydro Electric Company. In the main bungalow was a very large kitchen, a living room, two bedrooms, a bathroom and a drying room for the bedding. Also a one bedroom for special guests, a lounge for them and the special dining room.

Working in the Guest House was very hard work. Betty had a young child to look after and did the waiting at the tables. She also did all the washing and when they were very busy would wash twenty sheets, pillowcases, and towels. Betty was only age 23. They saved all the profits they made to get back to England. They were all very homesick. There was only two buses a week and Betty, Jim and Shirley only went into Hobart twice. It was a terrible bus ride along dusty dirt tracks and it was such a long way they stayed in a hotel overnight.

There were also dangerous wildlife, a huge spider the size of a dinner plate and a scorpion got into the house. There were huge Tiger Snakes and a call would go out in the village for the men to go out, find and shoot dangerous snakes (Snake Hunt ). All the houses were built with a space underneath, Shirley would love to hide there but it was the place where snakes could be found. Betty was frantic with worry.Then she became pregnant with her second child and had morning sickness. She was unable to work until the afternoons. They employed a young sixteen year old girl from the village called Margy.

At last they booked their passage back to the UK. It was November 1952 on the “Himalaya”.

They booked a car to take them to Launceston and catch the ferry “Taroona” across to Australia. It was a very rough eight hour crossing. Lizzie,Betty and Shirley were all very sea sick. As Betty tended to Shirley she felt the first movements of the baby. They arrived with a great deal of relief at Melbourne. They boarded the “Himalaya”, but Jim had to go to an office and pay for the luggage, he only just got on board before the last gangplank was pulled. Betty, Lizzie and Shirley were calling out to him as he ran onto the ship, it was so frightening.

At last they were on the way and the return trip took only three weeks and they had every comfort. They arrived at Tilbury and caught a train to Temple Meads and then hired a car to West-Harptree to stay with Jim's parents Samuel and Frances Wyatt.

It must have been such a happy reunion, but Shirley became ill with Measles. Once again Frances looked after her family and when Shirley had recovered they moved to temporary accommodation, 3 Farm Cottages. This was the home of Mr and Mrs Cutler and Jim got his old job back with Farmer Davis of Little Stoke Farm. Next door 4 Farm Cottages became vacant and the family moved in. This was to be their home from 1952 to 1997. The cottages were built in 1905 by The Duke of Beaufort for his gamekeepers. Later sold to Farmer Davis. There was an outside flush toilet but not a bathroom. Jim put a bath in what was the old larder room. Mrs Davis, Farmer Davis wife said that Betty added something special to the then rather small Little Stoke community and her son Martin recalled that she was always full of joy.

In March 1953 A second daughter Janet was born in the front room attended by the local midwives, Dr Brownridge and Lizzie. Later that year Shirley started school at Little Stoke Infants School. Betty was at home all day but she was friends with neighbours Mrs Cook, Mrs Richens and Mrs Knapp.They all had children about Shirley's age or older.

As usual milk was delivered to the door each day but other items of food were bought at the local shops a long walk from the house. Jim provided fresh vegetables from the garden and there were also fruit trees. Betty would take the new baby for check ups at Patchway Health Clinic. At the clinic the babies were weighed and Mums were given orange juice and cod liver oil in small glass bottles. In the 1950s it was usual to have everything ready for your husband when he came home each evening. Have a cup of tea ready for him as he walked through the door. She would wash her face, brush her hair and put on fresh lipstick.

All her life she looked lovely, her hair and makeup (usually lipstick and face cream) and her clothes. The only problem was money, because she had to be so careful for most of her life, and found it difficult to spend money as she grew older.

Lizzie also worked at the KBK shoe shop on Gloucester Rd, Bristol. She adored both her granddaughters and was always available for babysitting. Jim and Betty were able to go to local dances such as the canteen building on Southmead Rd, Filton. There were many large dance bands performing where they could do Ballroom dancing.

Mrs Davis was very talented and one of her hobbies was photography. She invited Betty to the farmhouse with the children. After taking many photos Betty was so pleased and proud that a photo taken of Shirley had won Mrs Davis first prize in a competition.

Jim had a car so that they could visit his parents regularly. It was a twenty mile journey through Bristol to the village of West-Harptree in Somerset. They also managed to have a holiday each year, usually in a caravan or a holiday camp.

In 1956 Mr Davis decided to sell the Farm, land , and the houses to the council. Betty was pregnant with her third child. they were very worried but became council tenants. The council came and put a bathroom in downstairs and a kitchen in the old wash house. Valerie was born in November upstairs in the front bedroom. Attended again by the midwives, Lizzie and Dr Brownridge. The baby was overdue and did not breath at first but all was ok after a while.

Now Betty at the age of 28 had a newborn a 3 year old and a 7 year old.

Jim got a job at Bristol Siddely (Rolls Royce) and they had more money. The council sold the land around the cottages to developers and the cottages where the Knapps, Cooks and Richens lived were pulled down. For a while a Farmer Gay mantained the farm and buildings but eventually that was all pulled down. Also Clay Bottom cottage was pulled down and a caravan site was put there which had a small shop. Later there was a bus service from the Bristol bus station to Sharpness, so things were improving.

When Janet started school at Little Stoke, both Janet and Shirley would ride their little bikes. It was a quiet country lane, an occasional car which you could hear from a long way off.

The children were not happy at the school so Betty got them into the local Church of England school near Patchway Common. The children were lucky as Betty was always there for them at home and made sure they had good food, clothes, birthday and Christmas presents. She looked after the children through all their childhood illnesses. Croup, Chicken Pox, Mumps, Tonsillitis, and even The Asian flu. Betty did work later on for Mr Lavis, The Spar shop at Patchway Roundabout Shops and later Carrefour Cribbs causeway, Patchway, on the checkout.

Valerie joined Janet at the church school and Shirley started at Patchway Secondary Modern in 1960.

Jim was happy at work but a couple of times there were strikes and they had to apply to the social services at Horfield for money. It was a real struggle to make ends meet. They used up savings and Lizzie helped out. One Christmas Jim and Betty made a dolls house for Shirley and Janet. Betty also did knitting and sewing. When Shirley was very young she loved a red knitted cardigan with yellow chicks and a beautiful white tutu that her Mum made for her.

After things got back to normal they had more lovely holidays. This was to Pontins or Warners holiday camps. Sometimes they would take Jims Mum and Dad. There was one holiday where they all went to the Isle of Wight.

Christmas 1962/63 there was snow, it was deep and lay for six weeks. Aunty Gladys and Uncle Ernie had come to stay from Hailsham for Christmas. They could not return until the end of January as all the buses, trains and coaches could not run. There were big snow drifts and at first Jim could not open the front door. Also the lane to Little Stoke was blocked. The snow had drifted across from the fields.

In 1964 Shirley left Patchway Secondary Modern school, but her sisters Janet and Valerie passed the eleven plus exam and went to Filton High school. Teenage daughters can be difficult and on one occasion Betty was hanging out of the bedroom shouting at Shirley to come back. Shirley was off on the back of a boys motorbike. Later Valerie at the age of 13 was found by Betty kissing a boy in the phonebox. (David Fisher,Valerie's first husband) Also in 1964 Shirley met Ray Thomas. Jim was working on The Concorde, on the Rolls Royce engines. He would be sent to Toulouse France at a moment's notice. Betty had no contact and would not know if he had arrived safe. Ray helped out a couple of times, helping to get a new TV and a Christmas Tree. Things that Jim would have done, he was away for weeks at a time. Also Uncle Fred came back from Australia for a years holiday. Betty had to find room for her Uncle. He went back to Australia begging Lizzie to go back with him, but she would not leave her daughter Betty.

In February 1966 Betty gave birth to her fourth daughter Susan, in the front room,attended by the midwives, Dr Brownridge and Lizzie. It was also Ray's 18th Birthday. They have always been close and usually share birthdays together with the family. Susan was a difficult baby much like her sister Janet. Valerie was always very good and content. When Ray came to visit Shirley would often be called upon to look after Susan.

In the summer there was a family holiday to Butlins holiday camp Pwllheli Wales. Ray drove Jim's car aged only 17 and Jim hired a car. There was Betty, Jim, Janet, Valerie, Susan and Lizzie in one car. Ray, Shirley, Jims Mum and Dad (Frances and Samuel Wyatt), Edith Thomas (Ray's Mum ) in the other car.

In 1967 Shirley and Ray Thomas married at St Chads Church, Patchway. Bettys youngest daughter Susan was only 18 months old. Janet and Valerie were bridesmaids.It must have been difficult but Betty always managed. After the wedding and reception everyone came back to the house and garden. Shirley and Ray left for their honeymoon. They came back to stay for a few weeks until the house they were going to rent was ready. Once again Betty had to find room for them and the rest of the family. The house belonged to Betty's paternal  Aunty Doris who had remarried. It was in Avonmouth. The morning Shirley and Ray left, Betty felt really sad as she waved goodbye along with Lizzie from the front room window. Her eldest daughter was age only 18 the same age as herself when she married.

Shirley and Ray returned to Patchway after a few months and she got her old job back at Patchway Post office. Lizzie also worked there at the sweet counter and was very popular with customers and staff but at the age of 70 she finished work. Janet met John and Valerie found her life long love of horses. So much of the time it was only Betty, Lizzie and Susan at home. Betty always got on with her neighbours, Mrs Sullivan, next door. Mr and Mrs Wiseman and Mrs Richens in a flat across the road. Betty helped look after her for many years,taking her shopping. There was also one thing that Betty was very good at and something for herself. She became an Avon lady and had many customers. It gave her a chance to go out and meet other people.

In 1969 Shirley and Ray moved from Patchway Roundabout to a maisonette, The Parade Patchway. Shirley gave birth to a daughter on Christmas Day. Betty was aged only 41 a very young Grandmother. When Shirley went back to work part time, Betty looked after her little granddaughter for a while. Once again she had so much to deal with, there were three daughters at home, Jim and her Mother.

Then much to her surprise Betty became pregnant and had a fifth daughter Dawn in February 1972 at the age of 43. She had been in hospital for months before the baby was born in Southmead Hospital with high blood pressure. Lizzie was wonderful and looked after all the family. When Betty came out of hospital Lizzie helped look after the baby She also had two miscarriages over the years, one between Valerie and Susan and the other between Susan and Dawn. Each time attended by Dr Brownridge. After being such a sickly child Betty was only taken to her bed because of childbirth. There was one occasion, Shirley could recall when Betty was in her late twenties. Dr Brownridge came as she was very ill with a mouth  and throat full of ulcers.

Then there was another wedding this time between Janet and John Gallagher at St Teresa's church, Filton. Baby Dawn was only 6 months old, Susan was a bridesmaid. For Betty a busy and eventful life.Some what of a problem at the time as Janet married a Catholic and changed her religion. Over the years things changed and Betty attended and enjoyed many family weddings and baptisms with Janet and John's family.

In 1972 Betty and Jim celebrated their silver wedding anniversary. Twenty five happy years. They went out for a lovely meal with their two eldest daughters and their husbands.

Both of Bettys eldest daughters lived in Patchway but in 1973, Shirley and Ray moved to Horfield. Janet and Shirley both became pregnant and attended an antenatal class together in Thornbury. Janet's daughter Joanne was born in February and Shirley's daughter Laura in May. So Betty had now three granddaughters and her youngest two daughters would go on to be such good playmates and remained close all their lives. This included Jennifer,Janet's second daughter born in 1975.

Janet and John moved to a house on the estate just behind Betty and Jim's house.They had moved from Yate. Matthew and James were born and Betty helped out with the four children.

From the birth of Shirley in 1949, Betty had always looked after children from her family. She adored babies and loved to play board games or cards with the older children.

Then another wedding Valerie and David Fisher at St Chads Church,Patchway. Sadly they were only married for a few years and David passed away from cancer at a very young age.

Valerie was supported by Betty and Jim throughout this terrible time and then returned back to live with the family. The house was full. They put Valerie in with Susan and Dawn and once again Betty managed.

She would also help Shirley with child care, would often babysit in the evening, or meet the children from school. Before Laura started school she would look after her in the afternoon while Shirley was at work. Julie loved staying at her Nan's and loved playing with Susan. They used to cry when it was time to leave for home.

In 1979 Jim was called out to his parents house in West-Harptree as his Mother Frances was taken ill with heart problems. She was taken to the hospital in Bristol. There were visits to the hospital, taking Jim's Father Samuel. Sadly Frances passed away the 30th April 1979  and all the family mourned her. She was a kind and loving Mother-in- law to Betty. Jim's father Samuel passed away 2nd August 1982, sadly missed by Betty and all the family.

Val had met John Bratton and another wedding was planned. This was in 1981 at St Michaels Church, Stoke Gifford. All the children were Bridesmaids, Susan, Dawn, Julie, Laura, Joanne, Jennifer and Matthew (Janet’s third child) was a pageboy.

They had two lovely daughters Hayley and Emma both baptised at St Michaels.

Later as the girls became older and Val was at work Betty would look after them along with Matthew and James (Janet’s fourth child). This was running a home and looking after her elderly Mother. Lizzie was finding the children too noisy, so in the summer Betty would take her Mother out to the garden and sit her in a chair in the sunshine. In the winter she would sit Lizzie in the front room, put the TV on and shut the door. Then Betty would play games with the children. Sometimes the boys would begin playful fights and she would have to break them apart.

At this time Susan and Dawn were teenagers, Susan met her first husband Steven Drew and Dawn was cheeky and rude to both Betty and Lizzie. It was difficult for the girls as Betty and Jim were classed as older parents and of course there was a much older Lizzie.

In 1987 Betty and Jim celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary and for many weeks the family got together and arranged a fantastic surprise party.

 There were two more weddings

Susan and Steven Drew were married at St Mary Redcliffe, Bristol. All the men wore top hats and tails. They had three children Hayden, Katrina and Megan.

Dawn had met Stuart Vaughan and they were married at St Peter's Church, Filton.They had two children Connor and Imogen.

Sadly both of the marriages broke up in the same year. Betty was sad and devastated for herself and both of her daughters. The girls had many problems to deal with and throughout Betty was always there for her daughters.

Also there were other family problems to deal with. Lizzie was next of kin to her brother John Brown (Jock). He had always been a problem and was now in a nursing home in Filton. Lizzie was too old to deal with anything so it was left to Betty. The nursing home could not deal with Jock anymore and asked Betty to find somewhere else. After visiting and being told this she walked back down the hill to catch the bus with tears streaming down her face. It took a lot for anything to affect her this way. Then her Mother became very clingy, possessive and repeatedly asking questions, it was getting her down. It was the first time that Shirley had seen her own mother Betty depressed, as she was always happy and cheerful. It was old age dementia and it became too difficult for Betty to look after her Mother. Reluctantly Betty and Jim found a nursing home in Brislington. Lizzie was there for the last few years of her life and passed away on the 21st November 1997 at the grand age of 97. On the day of her funeral Betty apologised to the family as they left for the service. ”I have been with my Mother all my life, that is why i am so upset”. It was true they had always been together.

There were many happy occasions during that time.  While Dawn was still at home, before Lizzie had to go into the nursing home Jim won a prize at work. It was at Scania Trucks and the most popular voted employees and spouse were given a cruise of the Mediteranian. Shirley took two weeks from work and spent each day with her Gran and Dawn was there for her at night. It was about the only time that Betty and Jim spent away together in their marriage. It was wonderful,they went to some amazing places. Betty was so proud of her husband.

In October 1997 they celebrated 50 years of marriage with a family meal at a pub.This was with their daughters and husbands.

Susan separated from Steve and later divorced, she met Paul Davies through The St Andrews Players, Filton. Many of the family appeared in the Pantomimes each year. Betty would sit so proud in the audience, it was a great joy to see  many of her children and grandchildren appearing in the productions.

Susan and Paul Davies married at St Andrews Methodist Church, Filton.

A year later they had a beautiful daughter Evie. Susan was age 43,the same age as Betty was when she had Dawn. Betty was now the proud grandmother of 14. Ten girls and four boys.

Evie was only a few weeks old when a big joint wedding anniversary party was arranged.

It was Betty and Jim's 60th and Shirley and Ray's 40th. Held at the BAWA,Southmead Rd, Filton.

There was a live band, good food. Lovely anniversary cakes and a special joint gift from the family. A weekend holiday in a hotel the Wye Valley. Betty proudly went round and showed off her latest grandchild Evie.

Betty had her first child in the forties, the next two in the fifties, the next two in the sixties and her last baby in the seventies. Meanwhile her grandchildren started coming along in the sixties. She had seen many changes in child rearing over the years but she was a marvelous Mother and Grandmother.

Not long after Betty had lost her Mother they moved house. Having lived in The Cottage for over forty years they bought a smaller house in Bradley Stoke. It was just the two of them and they could enjoy being together. They joined the Rolls Royce pensioners club and walked each day around the area. Both fit and healthy in their retirement years. Jim had finally finished work before they moved at the age of 67.

They had many day trips and holidays with the club and Jim helped run things. He was secretary and treasurer. Betty helped run the book stall. She also had for many years belonged to a ladies group The Link at Stoke Gifford church, and was in charge of writing and delivering the members birthday cards.

There were also lovely holidays with all of the family. A line of caravans or chalets, each daughter with their husbands and children .When it was Janet and John's silver wedding anniversary Betty and Jim went with them to Lake Garda, Italy. On another occasion they went with Janet and John,and his Mum and Dad to Ireland.

Shirley and Ray had started to go to Cyprus for holidays from 1992 and took Betty and Jim a few times.It was a pleasure to take them as they were such good company and always willing to fall in with any plans made for the day.

Meanwhile the older grandchildren were getting married. The last wedding that Betty's Mother Lizzie attended was Julie and Ian’s. She was in a wheelchair. Unable to attend Joanne and Jason’s as too frail and also Dawn and Stuart’s.

There were more weddings, Hayley and James, James and Claire, Emma and Andrew. Even Jen and Amy, which Betty could not understand, coming from an older generation. Sadly this marriage has ended.

When Emma met Andrew he had two sons by his first relationship. The boys Riley and Marc were very young and it was apparent that the birth mother was not looking after them. Emma became a good Mother to the boys and was much admired by Betty. She always looked upon them as her Great Grandsons and was delighted when Emma had a daughter Andie to complete the family.

Hayley and James had Harry and Lizzie. James and Claire had Freya and Isla.

For many years Betty watched her youngest daughter Dawn struggle. After Dawn and Stuart separated and later divorced she had to manage financially alone. it was Bettys dearest wish that her daughter would meet someone and be happy again. One day Dawn came with the happy news that she had met Mark Kowolski. He had three children Joanna, Chandler and Brooke. Once again she welcomed the children and they also became her Grandchildren

The day that Dawn and Mark married was a happy occasion and Betty had her wish come true. She was age 85 at this wedding but was only 38 when Shirley married. In all from five daughters there were eight weddings.

Sadly not long after this happy occasion Janet's husband John passed away at age 63. They had been married for 42 years. Janet did have the comfort and love from her four children. Yet it was hard, and to find herself alone after bringing up a large family was difficult. At John's funeral Betty almost collapsed with grief. As she was supported by Shirley and Jim she said “ It is because I feel so much for Janet”.

Before Betty passed away, four of her daughters had become Grandmothers themselves.

Shirley had Phoebe, Timothy and Madeleine.

Janet had Bailey, Cara, Freya, Isla, Eloise and George.

Valerie had Riley, Marc, Andie, Harry and Lizzie.

Susan had Bradley and Charlie.

In total 17 Grandchildren and 17 Great Grandchildren

Betty enjoyed so much buying Birthday and Christmas presents for all her family.

When Shirley and Ray retired they also joined the Rolls Royce retirement Group.

Betty and Jim were very popular with all the members.

Soon Shirley was asked to join the committee as The Entertainments Officer. This she did for nearly ten years. Later on Ray became The Bingo Caller, Introduced all the acts that Shirley had booked and then Chairman. Shirley also took over the book stall.

During that time they all went on coach holidays, which Jim organised and also day trips.

When Jim and Betty were still able it was great fun altogether but as the years passed Betty began to have problems with the muscles in her left leg. In the end Shirley bought a wheelchair to use on the coach trips, as walking any distance was becoming a problem for her Mother.

As club members, some would meet each Monday to play skittles at The BAWA, Filton.

That was good fun, and when it was a players birthday they would bring food and drink. It was like a party. Sadly as they all became older and there were less people to play it was disbanded. Shirley found a group to join held at St Michaels Church, Stoke Gifford. A charity singing group called The Golden Oldies. This Betty really enjoyed, she went with Shirley and the group to many places. The highlight was a visit to The Houses of Parliament, which included lunch and singing to some of the Mps. Shirley was also able to wheel her Mother around in the wheelchair, as it was difficult for Betty to walk any distance.

Before the group set off for London, Betty was interviewed by the local radio. In London she was interviewed by the BBC and ITV and was on the local news that evening. She spoke so well all about The Golden Oldies.

Later on Shirley would go with her parents to another club, Old Patchway Pensioners on a Friday afternoon. This was much enjoyed by Betty, as it was a charity there were free coach trips. Also a free Christmas Dinner and a Christmas hamper full of good things to eat.

In 2017 there was a party organised for their 70th Wedding anniversary at the BAWA, Filton.All the family came and during the day they were interviewed by John McQuire of the BBC. This was shown on national TV. It was also The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh's.

Also there was a piece about Betty and Jim in the Bradley Stoke Matters on their 60,65 and 70th wedding anniversaries.The story about them of their lives since moving to the area in 1947.

Shirley and Ray were still able to take Betty and Jim away for a holiday each year. They would hire a mobility scooter for Jim and a wheelchair for Betty. The last holiday was in a hotel at Paignton and it was Betty's 89th birthday .Unfortunately she was not very well with Flu but still managed to make the most of it.

In 2018 Betty and Jim had their 90th birthdays that year. Jim in January and Betty in November. In October of that year was the last anniversary together 71years. They went out for a meal with Shirley and Ray.

For a few years Shirley had taken on the cleaning and some washing for her parents. Jim did all the shopping and cooking. He was still driving his car. Jim looked after Betty and they managed. She still loved to buy birthday and Christmas presents for the family. Loved to see them all when they came to visit and always offered a cup of tea. It was her favourite drink and called it “A Life Saver “.

Her last Christmas was spent at Susan and Pauls. She had a lovely meal and played games with the family.

It became apparent that Betty was getting more frail and Shirley was worried that her heart was getting weak. She kissed her Mum goodbye, she seemed so small, sad and frail. Shirley and Ray went for a few days to Plymouth to see their Grandson Tim at Plymouth University.

On the 11th March 2019 ,driving back, Julie messaged to call asap when you got back. The news was that Julie was with her Grandad and Dawn had taken her Mum to Southmead Hospital. Shirley rushed in and they were in A and E. Then Betty was transferred to a ward.

Betty had woken up that morning not feeling too good. She managed to get dressed and phoned the Doctor. She was advised after giving her symptoms to go to hospital.

Family went to visit her and they took in Jim using a hospital wheelchair .He was now finding to walk any distance too much.

The early hours of 13th March 2019 Betty passed away. Janet and her daughter Joanne  had been there all night and Valerie was there. Shirley, Susan and Dawn arrived. There were also other members of the family. We stood holding hands and Dawn said a prayer. Shirley Ray and Dawn went to break the sad news to Jim and bring him into the hospital.

Everyone was devastated and shocked,it had happened so quick.

Betty had lived to a grand age of 90 and was now mourned by all her loving family.

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