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Before World War II, a young woman moved from the north of England to Reading in the south of England to work at Huntley & Palmers biscuit factory. She was in her teens, and left her sweetheart Edward behind, as he headed off to join the army. When World War II was declared in 1939, Eddie was still in the army, and was eventually to join the desert campaign against Rommel. Enid stayed in the south, working on war work at the munitions factory. She frequently travelled to Enfield to visit her sister-in-law, Eddie's fraternal twin, Mollie.
Enid was contacted by her Aunt in 1944; Enid's cousin (who she had never met) was returning from the navy, and would be arriving in London by train - would Enid go meet him? Taking her friend Mollie with her for moral support, Enid set off to the Waterloo train station. All she knew was the time the train would arrive, and that her cousin would be wearing a white hat. The train arrived, packed with hundreds of sailors, all wearing white hats! Enid couldn't think what to do, but noticed a sailor who looked as though he was in charge... too shy to approach him for help, she pushed her friend forward. Mollie was never shy with good looking men! She went up to the man, who turned out to be Petty Office Martin Lee. He helped them locate the right sailor, and Enid met her cousin for the first time. A few months later my mother Mollie married the handsome Petty Officer.
Enid was my aunt. She was a feisty independent soul, who could recount endless funny stories about the war and her experiences behind the bar of the public house she and Eddie ran after the war. She was a mine of information about our family, and after the death of my parents, the only real link I had to them and our family history.
Enid was housebound for the last five years. She suffered with a number of ailments, and eventually was unable to walk unaided. Even so, her mind was still sharp as ever. In 2003, she met Bill when we vacationed in England; and immediately required of me a picture of us both that she could put in pride of place on the mantle. She referred to Bill only as 'my friend' because her generation had no words like partner or lover for gay men; but she understood and accepted me for who I am. She told me that she was very glad I'd met someone who could be with me 'through life's journey'. I am so glad Bill was able to meet her and share her humor and great spirit.
After a series of falls and health problems, Enid was admitted to hospital a few months ago. On Thursday, she passed away peacefully. I shall miss her.
Enid was contacted by her Aunt in 1944; Enid's cousin (who she had never met) was returning from the navy, and would be arriving in London by train - would Enid go meet him? Taking her friend Mollie with her for moral support, Enid set off to the Waterloo train station. All she knew was the time the train would arrive, and that her cousin would be wearing a white hat. The train arrived, packed with hundreds of sailors, all wearing white hats! Enid couldn't think what to do, but noticed a sailor who looked as though he was in charge... too shy to approach him for help, she pushed her friend forward. Mollie was never shy with good looking men! She went up to the man, who turned out to be Petty Office Martin Lee. He helped them locate the right sailor, and Enid met her cousin for the first time. A few months later my mother Mollie married the handsome Petty Officer.
Enid was my aunt. She was a feisty independent soul, who could recount endless funny stories about the war and her experiences behind the bar of the public house she and Eddie ran after the war. She was a mine of information about our family, and after the death of my parents, the only real link I had to them and our family history.
Enid was housebound for the last five years. She suffered with a number of ailments, and eventually was unable to walk unaided. Even so, her mind was still sharp as ever. In 2003, she met Bill when we vacationed in England; and immediately required of me a picture of us both that she could put in pride of place on the mantle. She referred to Bill only as 'my friend' because her generation had no words like partner or lover for gay men; but she understood and accepted me for who I am. She told me that she was very glad I'd met someone who could be with me 'through life's journey'. I am so glad Bill was able to meet her and share her humor and great spirit.
After a series of falls and health problems, Enid was admitted to hospital a few months ago. On Thursday, she passed away peacefully. I shall miss her.
