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Elizabeth Charlotte Brown

SHIRLEY THOMAS nee WYATT       

 THE WOMEN WHO MADE ME,  -   MY MATERNAL GRANDMOTHER.

Elizabeth Charlotte Brown b 1900  5th January, St Giles, London, Middlesex.

Elizabeth was the eldest child born to John Charles Brown and Elizabeth Brown nee Lloyd. They were married 21st May 1899, Christ Church, Southwark. Both living at 39 Collingwood St,Southwark. They were also first cousins. John’s mother and Elizabeth’s father were brother and sister.

Elizabeth was born at 2 Lascelles Place, London. Her Father a Private, Royal Army Medical Corp. The baptism took place on the 21st Jan, St Giles in the Fields, London. Living at 2 Lascelles Place. John Charles occupation given as Tailor(reservist).

Lascelles Place, Bloomsbury, London was a street  by the workhouse Bloomsbury.

1901 census shows they are living at 79 Butlocks Heath, South Stoneham, Southampton. In the house of another family. We believe that John Charles was a ward orderly at Netley Hospital. Also when Queen Victoria visited the wounded soldiers at Christmas 1900, Elizabeth taken by her father was given a doll from the Christmas tree by Queen Victoria. The doll was dressed as Robinson Crusoe.

Elizabeth had two sisters and two brothers.

Edith Alice Brown b 26 Nov 1902 South Stoneham, Hampshire.

Rosina Emma Brown b 1904, Southwark, London.

John Frederick Mostyn Brown b 1909 Lambeth, London.

Frederick C W Brown b 1913 Wandsworth, Greater London, London, Surrey.

After leaving the army John Charles returned to his trade as a tailor.

1911 census shows they are living at 68 Neal Street, W C , London. John Charles occupation Tailor Journeyman.

At some point the Browns had a cleaning lady. One day Elizabeth watched as the cleaner black leaded the fire place. Afterwards Elizabeth thinking that she was helping did the same but made a terrible mess. There was black leading all over the place. Her mother was very cross but her father said she was only trying to help.

Another occasion Elizabeth took her younger sister Edith out, they went to Trafalgar Square and the fountains. Edith fell in and they were brought home by a policeman. Their father was so cross that his children had to be brought home this way.

Elizabeth was also interested in what the grownups did and when relatives arrived regularly to discuss something important would hide under the table to listen. It was that they were trying to lay claim to some titled lands in Montgomeryshire. There were documents laid out on the table, birth and marriage certificates. It seemed that the problem was that one document was missing. It was lost in the London Fire. Elizabeth saw two Uncles Jim and Mostyn who came to the meetings regarding this.

Elizabeth went to school age 3 to Saint John and all Saints school Lambeth, admission date 13 Jul 1903. Then Leipsic Rd, School( Comber Grove) Lambeth, 11 Jan 1905.

Elizabeth and her sister Edith then attended school at Waterloo Road, Southwark. Admission date 2 Oct 1905.Removal 5 Dec 1905.  Address given 35 Quinn's Street. Reason given moved out of area.

The family seemed to have moved about quite a lot.

They lived in a street behind the National Gallery, and there Elizabeth attended St Martins in the Fields school. This school cost 4 pence per week, Elizabeth had a leather satchel, inside was a bible, prayer book and four other books for her times table etc. The school uniform was a navy gym slip, with a white silk blouse with a peter pan collar. In the crypt below St Martins in the Field Church Elizabeth did gymnastics and dancing. If they did not point their toes enough the teacher would tap them with a ruler. She was very good at Hockey and was in the school team.  Also when the teacher entered the classroom the girls had to curtsy. Sometimes her paternal grandmother Charlotte Brown who by then was becoming confused, would come and take Elizabeth out of school. Her father tried to explain that she must not do this. Charlotte said that they were poor little things having to go to school .

 Elizabeth thought she was” something” as her father had a shop. It was a double fronted tailors shop. One side for men and the other for ladies. Elizabeth could also remember that her father kept a large store of food, half a large cheese, a great lump of bacon. She used to go shopping with her Gran. Charlotte would put on her bonnet to go out  and they would buy smaller items like potatoes and eggs.

John took his family on holiday but Elizabeth could recall only the fact that the whole family had their best clothes on to walk along the prom. There was a time when Elizabeth did go into the sea as she used a bathing bell. This was a changing room on wheels pulled into the sea. Bathers could step straight into the sea so retain their modesty.

When Elizabeth left school she changed jobs many times, each time to earn more money. She worked for the court dressmakers and had to travel all over London to pick up dress material. Another job she became a dental nurse. Later on when older she went to Warrington, Liverpool as a diphtheria nurse. Her father came and brought her home he did not think this job was safe for his daughter.

Elizabeth age 15 went with a friend to have their photo taken. Her friend was dressed as a soldier and Elizabeth as a sailor. When her father saw the photo he was outraged that Elizabeth had dressed in a man’s clothes.

Elizabeth’s mother could sing and play the mandolin. Elizabeth could recall seeing her mother and her Aunt Emily dressed in beautiful gowns. They went off in a horse drawn hansom cab. The sisters Elizabeth and Emily sang at The Alhambra Theatre, Leicester Square. They were known as Elizabeth and Emily Lloyd. The theatre was a music hall and a centre for ballet. When Elizabeth’s youngest brother Frederick was only 1 year and Elizabeth age 14, their mother left the family. She went to live with her agent from the theatre. We believe she went on to have two more children (son’s) with this man. Age only 14 young Elizabeth had to take on the responsibility of mother to her brothers and sisters. The shame to the family was great so John Charles took his daughters( not his two sons) to stay with his unmarried sister Charlotte Brown. She lived at Sand Bay, Weston Super Mare, Somerset.

Elizabeth’s father came to Bristol and lived in a house in Steep Street by The Red Lodge, then he moved to Cotham.

Elizabeth had great respect for her father. The children had to know all about Bristol. He would take them on the tram from the centre to the end of the line. They went to Westbury on Trym, picked primroses and walked in the woods. They went to Filton walked down the hill towards Patchway. At the bottom of the hill was a small hut which sold lemonade, brandy snaps and iced buns. They did this all around Bristol. He also took them to visit museums and art galleries.

At that time you could fill your larder for two and sixpence. To buy bread the shopkeeper would put the bread on the white marble slab of the scales. The other side of the scales were the brass weights. If the bread was not up to weight he would cut off a piece of Chelsea cake which  Elizabeth loved.

The last time Elizabeth saw her mother was was when they lived in Oxford St, Kingsdown, Bristol. She came to the house with her agent and would not acknowledge Elizabeth as her daughter. Introduced her as her sister. John Charles let them stay at the house as they didn't have a place to stay. Elizabeth’s neighbour Emily Beacham (future mother in law) said that John Charles was a true gentleman. John Charles nursed Emily’s second husband Joseph Beacham during the 1918 flu epidemic. Sadly Joseph died.

Three of Elizabeth's siblings married and some had children.

Edith Alice married twice, her first marriage was to Horace Hines, Sep 1923 Shoreditch Middlesex. It was said that she became pregnant, miscarried after falling off a bus while trying to get onboard. Horace went to Canada but Edith would not go so they divorced. Her second marriage was to Ernest Cottis Jan-Feb-Mar 1939 Surrey.

Rosina Emma married John H Collins Oct-Nov-Dec 1923 Bristol. They had three children.

Patricia Elizabeth born 20 Nov 1925 Bristol. Helena Daisy Maud born Dec 1928. Doris born Mar 1931 Bristol.

John Frederick Mostyn Brown married Florence Mabel Holloway Oct-Nov-Dec 1930 Wandsworth London. They had one child Angel M Brown born Dec 1930 Battersea London.

Before her marriage Elizabeth(Lizzie) worked for the Bristol co-op Laundry, Eastville. Although she worked hard they had fun. Dressing up for parties and also the co-op float when it was in the parade.

Elizabeth met her husband William Guy. He lived next door with his mother Emily Beacham. William lived at 1 Oxford Street, Kingsdown, Bristol (also a shop) and Elizabeth at 2 Oxford Street. They were married at The Register Office, Bristol. The 7th Dec 1925. His occupation Bottler (Bottling Stores). They celebrated until Christmas at home. Someone would play the piano. A few drinks and they would all sing. On one occasion the piano almost went through the ceiling. It seemed one leg of the piano did.  Williams sister Ada and her husband Charles Crane and their children also lived at 1 Oxford Street.William(Bill) and Charles(Charlie)were also best friends.

In the summer they went on charabanc outings (coach trips) such as Cheddar.  At some point William had problems with his leg and had to go to hospital. On returning from war 1914-1918, he still had a great deal of shrapnel in his body. This time it made one of his legs swell up. A letter sent to Lizzie asks her to take the Drs certificate to the offices (his place of work?). He also seemed worried about money due to him, hoping that he would get the 5 shillings.                 

They thought that they would never have children but to their joy Lizzie gave birth to a daughter  Elizabeth Rosina Doris on 17th Nov 1928. Living at that time in rented rooms near The Hatchet Inn, Bristol. They were a very happy little family. The next place they lived was at Windmill Hill, Bedminster, Bristol (opposite Victoria Park gates). Sadly their happiness was not to last. Early 1932 Lizzie lost her baby daughter named Diana. It was said that she was washing down the stairs with a bucket of water, fell and had the miscarriage. In April 1933 Lizzie was visiting her husband William and her sister Rosina in hospital. William died 17th April 1933 from the shrapnel which had pierced his lungs and heart. Rosina died about the same time age only 28. Lizzie would change out of her black clothes just outside the ward, then go in to visit her sister. Rosina would ask her sister if she was Ok and that she did not look well. Of course Lizzie would say that she was fine even though she was so unhappy.

Lizzie arranged the funeral for her husband. the hearse was pulled by horses with plumed black headdresses. It maybe at his time Lizzie had to pawn her wedding ring.

Lizzie was asked by John Collins the husband of her sister Rosina to look after his daughters. Patricia age 7, Helena age 4. and Doris aged 2. Elizabeth could not do this as she was now a widow. Lizzie could recall that John Collins came to the house with a women. She was not happy as her sister had just passed away. Also to Lizzie's amazement the women had a live chicken tucked under her arm. John Collins did remarry to this women.

Having now to go back to work Elizabeth (Lizzie) and her daughter Elizabeth (Betty) went to live with her husband’s family. William’s half sister Doris Beacham, her husband Reginald Bowden and William’s mother Emily Beacham. They lived in Elvaston Road, Bedminster (near Victoria Park).

Lizzie was given a pension of just 15 shillings a week so she had to work. The next year Betty started Victoria Park School her Gran (Emily) would take her. Lizzie had returned to working for The Co-op Laundry, Eastville.

Two years later Lizzie’s father John and her brother John (Jock) came to Bristol from London. Lizzie and Betty had rooms in St Luke’s Rd, Bedminster. Betty then went to Windmill Hill school and her grandfather John would take her to school. John and Jock fell out and Jock was asked to leave.

John Brown returned to London, but returned when Lizzie rented a house at 24 Cuffington Avenue, Brislington. The rent was 21 shillings a week, her widow’s pension 10 shillings and child allowance 5 shillings. (having transferred to the Co-op Laundry, Whitby Rd).her wages were £2.10shillings. Lizzie’s younger brother Fred, came to live with them to help out with the rent. They were happy living there as it was a whole house to themselves with a garden.Lizzie was a devoted mother.She made sure that Betty had nice toys and clothes.Betty also had dancing and piano lessons.

Then it was 1939 and the war began. Brislington was very heavily bombed.

Then Fred was called up and joined the army and Jock the air force. One day there was a visit from her sister Edith (she wished to be called Gladys). Lizzie was surprised to see her and Betty did not know her. To escape the Bristol bombings, Lizzie and Betty were invited to go up to London and stay with Gladys and her husband Ernest Cottis. They ran The Volunteer Pub, Croydon.

Whilst they were away Lizzie's father John gave up the house in Cuffington Avenue, Brislington. He went to Okehampton, Devon to also escape the bombings in Bristol. John died in Okehampton age 75. Lizzie with Betty visited him in the workhouse hospital just before he died. John was trying desperately to ask them about his son Fred .John died not knowing if his son was dead or alive. They had no money and a woman who worked there let them sleep in her bed with her. (A complete stranger). Lizzie had to make the funeral arrangements and asked the British Legion to help. They did and draped the coffin with the union jack flag. John is buried in an unmarked grave the parish church Okehampton. Jock arrived when it was all over, he was in the RAF and had traveled down from Scotland. It was so hard for Lizzie and her 13 year old daughter. The loss of her father and having to deal with everything.

On one occasion Lizzie went to a medium regarding Fred. She told Lizzie I can see him unwell and in a hot country. Of course he was captured by the Japanese and was cruelly treated.

Once again on returning to Bristol, Lizzie (Elizabeth) rented furnished rooms for herself and Betty. Southsea Road, Brislington. Also Lizzie’s mother in law Emily Beacham and her daughter Doris had moved. They had taken over a guest house 110 St Michael’s Hill, Bristol. Many of the guest’s were entertainer’s from The Bristol Hippodrome. Emily became ill with heart disease and was confined to bed. She asked Lizzie to come and look after her. Lizzie did this and also worked as ‘Head Pleater’ at Bolloms Laundry. The position at Bolloms was good but one day whilst ironing a shirt Lizzie damaged it. The owner made her go to this man's house and apologise to him. Betty went with her mother and felt so sorry that her mother was made to do this.  From St Michael’s Hill the family witnessed the bombing of Bristol.

 One day Lizzie and Betty were at a family wedding. It was the wedding of Annie Crane (Nancy) and Jack Sennett. Apr-May-Jun quarter 1941.They all had to shelter at Clifton Rocks Railway. It had been taken over during the war for the BBC and to store valuables, also for shelter. They were all sat there in their wedding clothes. The bride and groom,Lizzie, Betty, Lizzie's mother in law Emily Beacham. Annie (Lizzie's sister in law) with her daughters Joyce and Jean.  At times it seemed that the whole of the city was on fire. It was so bad they decided to move out of Bristol.

Emily had a cousin Esther Pearce who lived with her postman husband opposite the village shop West Harptree, Near Bristol, Somerset. They offered to share their small home with Emily, Doris, Reg, (their son David), Lizzie and Betty.

Lizzie managed to get the local building firm (Flower’s) to store her belongings. There was not enough room for them all to sleep at the Pearce’s. Lizzie and Betty went each night up the lane to the council houses and slept in the home of a Mr and Mrs Wilcox. Lizzie continued to work in Bristol and got a lift each day. While Lizzie was at work all day her young daughter Betty had to look after the family. This included the bedridden Emily.

Then Emily was taken into hospital where she died. Doris, Reg and David went to live in the next village Compton Martin.

Lizzie and Betty rented rooms above the schoolhouse then moved to a house opposite the village bakery. There was only one room upstairs and one room downstairs but they were both happy there. At some point Lizzie had to have an operation (womens problems).The village Doctor sent her to a hospital on The Downs, Bristol. Unfortunately the operation weakened her heart. Lizzie gave up working in Bristol and managed the baker's shop next to the bakery.

Village life was good and Lizzie and Betty joined in the war effort and also the local WI.

Jock and Fred returned from the war. Fred was very ill after being captured by the Japanese. They wanted only to be with their sister Lizzie who had been like a mother to them.  Ever resourceful Lizzie purchased a huge screen to separate the one bedroom into two. Since Lizzie and Betty did not have a bathroom a Mrs Frances Wyatt from 14 The Council Houses kindly let them use her bathroom.

It was not long before romance blossomed between Mrs Wyatt’s son William (Jim) and Betty. They had first set eyes on each other at the village school.

When the end of the war was declared everyone in the village celebrated. There was dancing round the village green and the pub ran dry. That was the only time Betty saw her Mother Lizzie too drunk to climb the old stairs of the cottage.  Betty with the help of Jim and with much laughter, helped Lizzie up the stairs and into her bed.

Betty and Jim married on the 11th October 1947 in the village church of St Mary’s, West Harptree. Lizzie was the proud mother of a beautiful bride. She arranged for one of her husband's family to give Betty away. John Tyrrell ( Uncle Jack). He was the eldest male from her husband’s side of the family. Uncle Jack was married to Alice Guy, the aunt of William. (Lizzie’s husband) They lived in Cardiff.

After the wedding Lizzie went to live with Jim and Betty. It was to a tied cottage Clay Lane, Little Stoke, Nr Bristol, Gloucestershire. Jim had a job working for Farmer Davis on his farm.

Lizzie worked in Bristol.  She would return home each evening to her daughter and son in law. They were happy but the old farmhouse was very basic. No inside toilet, no electricity and just a hand pump in the kitchen for water. Then the happy news Lizzie was going to be a grandmother. Jim set to work. He dug a trench from Farmer Davis farmhouse and put in electric lights. In the spare bedroom on the top floor he put a portable toilet.

Shirley, Lizzie’s first granddaughter was born upstairs in the farmhouse. Dr Brownridge delivered the baby and Lizzie was also there at the birth. Shirley was born 14 Jan 1949 so Lizzie had just had her 49th birthday on the 5th January.

Soon spring and summer arrived. The family had many visitors from friends and family. Spending time in the garden, or walks after a meal to a local pub. They went on a family holiday by train. Lizzie, Betty, Jim, Shirley age 18 months and Lizzie’s brother Fred all went to Butlins, Skegness, for a week. It was great after all the years of worry to have some fun.

Then some of the family came to inform Lizzie that they were going to emigrate to Australia. They would travel for only ten pounds paid by the government. This sounded good to Lizzie and suggested to Betty and Jim that they also emigrated. They were able to get a sponsor. Lizzie’s brother in law Archibald(Archie) Guy who was in Tasmania Australia.

They left the UK from London the 19th Sept 1951 on the SS Ranchi. There was Lizzie, Betty, Jim, Shirley age two, and Fred. Also with them, Ken and Mary Crane and Lena. Ken was Lizzie’s sister in law's son and Lena was going to meet up and marry Ken’s best friend Roy Peters.

The ship was still converted as a troopship. All the women and children slept together and the men were separate. This was not a good start and Betty in particular was not happy to be separate from Jim. The ship was not really safe for small children. Shirley would run away and Lizzie and Betty were afraid she would fall overboard. They managed to buy a pushchair to put her in so that was Ok.

It took many weeks to get to Australia. On the way the old troop ship broke down in the Suez Canal. There was little water and no sanitation. Lizzie was so worried as Shirley developed boils. Many of the passengers were ill. At last the engines were fixed and the ship eventually reached Australia. The next part of the journey was from Fremantle on the SS Taroona for Tasmania. They arrived at Hobart and then made their way to Waddamana. This was to join their sponsors Archie and Madge Guy. They ran a Guest House and Lizzie and Betty worked for them. Jim managed to get a job at the Hydro Electric Company. It was not the welcome Lizzie expected from her husband's brother and wife. After a while Betty, Jim and Shirley moved into a small shack (basic bungalow) in the village. Lizzie travelled into Hobart to find work. She applied for work as a pastry chef. When asked if she could do the job replied “Good enough for you”.

Then for some reason Archie and Madge left Waddamana. Lizzie applied and was offered the position to run the guest house. They all settled back and set to work. It was hard going. Lizzie did all the cooking and Betty the washing and cleaning. Jim helped out after work. They had to cater for visitors to the area and workers at the Hydro Electric Company.

Shirley was quite a worry, they were so busy. She would wander and also hide under the house where snakes could live.

At Christmas that year 1951 Lizzie cooked a wonderful Christmas Dinner for the workers. They thought it was marvellous and so enjoyed the food. Then in January Lizzie was 52 and Shirley age 3. By the end of the year things had changed. Betty was expecting another baby. Lizzie was so excited to be having another grandchild. Betty felt unwell it was too much work. They tossed a coin and decided to go back to the UK.

In that year they had earnt enough money for their passage home and pay back the UK government for the assisted passage to Australia.

The journey back was on the P&O ship SS Himalaya. They called into ports Fremantle and Perth. Then across the ocean where they called into Aden, Suez and Port Said. Also Colombo(Sri Lanka). It was a  lovely relaxing time on this ship and they all put on weight.

Arriving back to the UK in November 1952, Lizzie, Betty, Jim and Shirley travelled back to Jim's parents (Samuel and Frances Wyatt) 14 The Council Houses, West Harptree Nr Bristol.

On arriving at West Harptree Shirley became ill with the Measles. At that time children had to be kept in bed with the curtains drawn. Frances looked after them all very well.

Jim got his old job back working for Farmer Davis so they went back to Little Stoke, Nr Bristol.

They could not move back into the old farmhouse in Clay Lane so they were given 4 Farm Cottages. Betty gave birth March 1953, in the front room, attended by Dr Brownridge. Lizzie was with her daughter and delighted with a second granddaughter Janet. She loved her grandchildren and helped Betty to look after them when she was home from work. She would happily get up in the night if they were ill. Also she loved to buy them nice birthday and Christmas Presents. Her family was her life, and thanks to Betty and Jim her financial worries were now at an end. Although all the money she earned went to her beloved family.

1956 became a worry as the farm that Jim worked for was being sold, also Betty was expecting a third child. Jim found work at Bristol Siddeley Engines(Rolls Royce). The council bought the farm cottages and they became council tenants.The cottage was renamed 4 The  Cottages.Then November 1956 Betty had another home birth in her bedroom upstairs a third daughter. Again the baby delivered by Dr Brownridge with Lizzie by her side.

For Lizzie this birth must have brought back memories of the loss of her baby. Valerie was nearly a month overdue, when first born she did not cry. Although soon the problem was solved and the baby was fine. Lizzie who always kept going,had to go and rest on the sofa downstairs. Each time someone came to the door to see the new baby and Betty, she would send the visitors away. It seemed to have been all too much for Lizzie and she was not her usual self.

Now Lizzie had three little granddaughters to love and cherish. Shirley age 8, Janet age 4 and newborn Valerie. Lizzie enjoyed every moment with her little granddaughters, birthdays, christmas, family holidays. She would babysit for Betty and Jim in the evening. The girls loved this as Lizzie would make them homemade toffee. She would also have fun with them. While Valerie was still in her pram Lizzie had a slipped disc. She could only sit in the armchair and not move. Valerie went to get out of the pram. Lizzie turned quickly to save the baby. The disc went back into place. When the rest of the family returned Lizzie was up and about making the tea.

Lizzie had a job at KBK shoe shop.  It is on the Gloucester Rd ,Bristol (near the railway arches).  As with all her jobs Lizzie was very efficent, loved by the staff and the customers.

When Lizzie finished work she was often in bed all of the weekend. This was what she called a(Bilious Attack). It gave her a headache and she felt sick. During the week she would take sandwiches for lunch and Betty would save her a cooked meal in the evening. The children would stand by her side begging for some of her dinner. This she would do even though they had already eaten. Also her usually uneaten sandwiches she would bring home,  the children would try and eat them. The sandwiches had a strange taste of boot or shoe polish from the shop which Lizzie worked. The shop sold and repaired boots and shoes.

Lizzie had two things she enjoyed doing, the football pools and placing a bet on the horses  . She never won very much but would quite happily go into a betting shop to place her bet. This was when men usually went into these places not women. She was also brave, when there was still a farm, Farmer Davis cows would sometimes get into the garden, Lizzie would get them out using a yard brush  pushing the cows out of the garden. Lizzie also loved to crochet and all her grandaughters and Betty have items that she made.

While the girls were still young there was a visit from  Lizzie's sister in law Ada Crane. It was wonderful for Lizzie. Ada had returned from Australia for a holiday to visit family. Lizzie had always got on well with her husband's sister Ada. She took Ada up to London to stay with Gladys and Ernie Cottis (Lizzie's sister and brother in law). They went to see all the sights of London.

Then Lizzie's brother Fred came from Australia for a holiday.They had not seen each other for many years. He stayed for a year. When it was time for him to return to Australia he begged and pleaded with her to go with him. Lizzie refused though it upset her. Lizzie's other brother Jock did not keep in touch. She tried to find out if he was Ok. One day Lizzie, Betty and the children went to a house in Royston Walk, Southmead. It was to visit (possibly his second wife) and her daughter. This women did not know where he was. Later Lizzie’s niece husband came to say that he was living in Shirehampton. Lizzie's niece Doris married a Polish man Stanislaw Onufryk.

Lizzie's sister Gladys and her husband Ernie would often come down from London and visit. Gladys especially as she never had children loved Lizzies granddaughters. They would stay with the family and go out for day trips when Jim was home from work at the weekend. This would be to the Chew Valley Lakes, Severn Beach or Weston Super Mare. Lizzie would sometimes take one or two of the girls and stay in London with Gladys and Ernie in their basement flat at Marble Arch. Ernie was the caretaker and Gladys did the cleaning for the building above. Christmas 1962-63 they came to stay for Christmas it snowed so much they could not get home for three weeks.

In 1966 Lizzie became Gran to her fourth granddaughter Susan. This again was a home birth downstairs in the front room. Dr Brownridge attended the birth and again Lizzie was by Betty's side. The house was full, when Susan outgrew her cot she shared a double bed with Lizzie. So even though Lizzie loved all her granddaughters she was always very close to Susan.

The children were growing up fast. Shirley worked as a counter clerk at Patchway Post Office and Lizzie also worked for Mr and Mrs Drackett on the sweet counter. Everyone called her Gran. She was so quick and efficient would serve two customers while others were still serving one. Lizzie worked at the shop until she was age seventy. Jim and Betty advised her to stop working and enjoy retirement.

Lizzie was so happy her eldest Granddaughter Shirley married Ray, September 1967. They married at St Chad's Patchway. It was a very happy occasion.Shirley was age 18. Janet age 14 and Valerie age 10 were her bridesmaids. Susan only 18 months gave a horseshoe. Lizzie age 67 was a great help at home as Susan was a demanding baby and toddler. Lizzie and Betty did the washing using a twin tub. Susan would try and help but it was dangerous, little fingers trying to put washing in the machine. Susan also brought into the house,  hanging by its tail a mouse. Lizzie was the only one able to deal with this as everyone else screamed and stood on chairs.

Frederick Brown, Lizzie's younger brother passed away in Australia. His landlady wrote to Lizzie with the awful news. Betty had never seen her mother so upset. Lizzie broke down and wept. Maybe it was the thought of all that had happened to him in his life and that he had been alone without family. Then Ernest Cottis died. Lizzie had a telegram from her sister Gladys it said ”Lizzie I need you”. Lizzie went to Hailsham where they lived in their retirement and then brought Gladys back to Bristol. Then there were many problems in finding a place for Gladys to live and she also became very ill. Eventually she passed away in hospital. Gladys died of cancer.

Lizzie became a great grandmother in 1969. Shirley gave birth to a daughter called Julie. In 1972 Betty was expecting her fifth child. Lizzie had her birthday in January and was now age 72. Then in February, Dawn was born. Betty had very high blood pressure with this baby and had to stay in hospital. She had complete bedrest for the last three months of her pregnancy. All this time Lizzie looked after the home and the girls who were still at home Janet, Valerie and Susan.

When the company Jim worked for, Rolls Royce was on strike.  Lizzie gave all her pension to help.  Betty and Jim had to use all their savings.

Lizzie's second granddaughter Janet married John in August 1972 at St Teresa's Church, Filton. The wedding was again a very happy occasion and Lizzie was such a help to Betty as Dawn was only six months old. Then Valerie met and married her first husband David.  Again this was a happy occasion. Sadly they did not have many years together as David died age 23. Valerie returned home to 4 The Cottages but did not care to share a room with Gran so slept in with Susan and Dawn.

Valerie stayed with them until she met and married John. This was a lovely wedding at St Michaels Church, Stoke Gifford.  Valerie had all her nieces as bridesmaids and also her nephew as page boy. Lizzie wore her Fur coat. She had always loved nice clothes, shoes and hats. Betty could remember feeling so proud during the war, when she went with her Mother, for Lizzie to enrol for the war effort. Lizzie looked so smart and stylish compared to the other Mums.

When Lizzie was in her late seventies her brother John (Jock) became a problem. He was in a council flat in St Judes Bristol. There was a problem with fumes from his fridge. He had to be evacuated by the police.  The flat was in a terrible state, and he did not even sleep in a bed. Lizzie sorted the flat, cleaned and made it suitable to live in. She bought her brother a bed. Jock went into hospital to have an operation. Lizzie went in to visit him. It was on her birthday and she was age 80 . A  nurse came to Jocks bedside to check on him. The nurse spoke to Lizzie and when she realised it was her 80th birthday gave Lizzie a hug.

In 1986 Susan married Steve. This was at St Mary Redcliffe church and was a grand affair. The men wore top hat and tails. When the main party left to sign the register. Lizzie was a lone figure sat alone in a front pew. You could see that she was crying as her shoulders shook. Of course she was now 86 and sad to see Susan leave home.

As the years passed Lizzie had more great grandchildren.

Shirley and Ray had Julie and Laura.

Janet and John had Joanne,Jennifer,Matthew and James.

Valerie and John had Hayley and Emma.

On Lizzie's 90th birthday there is a photo of Lizzie with all these children.

By then at this great age she found the children a great joy but too noisy. Betty would sit her Mother in the Front room when the children came to visit. If the weather was sunny Betty would sit her Mother out in the garden.

Jim won a cruise at work . So arrangements had to be made regarding Lizzie. Dawn still lived at home so she was Ok at night. Shirley took time off from work and would spend the day with Lizzie . On the day Jim and Betty were due home Lizzie made an apple pie and laid the table ready for their return.

The last family wedding Lizzie was able to attend was her great granddaughters Julie to Ian in 1991 at St Peter's Church, Filton. Betty and Jim took her in a wheelchair.

It was apparent that Lizzie had dementia. She became very clingy with Betty. She drove Betty mad with constant questions and having to repeat everything. She also had several mini strokes (Tias). These did not seem to affect her too much. Lizzie then became very ill with Pneumonia. She had to be admitted to hospital. By then she was refusing to wash or change her clothes.

It was sad for Betty but it was apparent that she could not continue to look after Lizzie. Betty and Jim found a nursing home for Lizzie at Brislington. They visited regularly to make sure she was ok.

There were more great grandchildren.

Susan and Steve had Hayden and Katrina.

Dawn and Stuart had Connor. Lizzie could not attend their wedding at St Peter's Church, Filton. The nursing home said it would be too much for her to cope with.

Then Julie and Ian had Phoebe in July 1996. She was Lizzie's great great granddaughter.

A photo was taken of the five generations and appeared in the local paper.

There was Lizzie holding Phoebe. Betty by her side. Shirley and Julie. They were all first born daughters.

Lizzie passed away on  the 21st November 1997 aged 97. A very long and eventful life. She  had been a widow for 64 years.

Her funeral was held at Westerleigh Crematorium, South Gloucestershire and the wake at Shirley and Ray’s house.

Lizzie’s husband William Guy had been buried at Arnos Vale Cemetery, Bristol, in the family grave.

Years later Shirley and Ray had them both put in The Book Of Remembrance at Arnos Vale.

Elizabeth Charlotte Guy Born 1900 died 21st November 1997

Also her husband William Guy

Born 1895 died 17th April 1933

In Heavenly love abiding.

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