( 1898 - 1984 ) --- ( 1896 - 1985 )
(Married on 16 April 1918 ?)
DOROTHY (1927-)m. Reginald Miller(1947) * - Edward *, John, Catherine * ANNE (1927-1928) * EDWARD (1931-1944) * FREDERICK (1933-)m. Maureen - Frederick, Janet, Edward NOREEN (1940-)m. Terry Primrose * - Sean, Donna, Lisa
* Anne Elfreda was a twin to Dorothy but died after 2 weeks on 1 Jan 1928
* Edward Eugene (Teddy) in January, 1944, aged 13, died in a road accident
crossing the main road near his front door - 109 Victoria Rd.
* Dorothy and Reg were divorced. She later married H Bullar
* Catherine died aged 21 in 1984. She was a student at Leeds University
* Noreen and Terry Primrose were divorced. She later remarried Peter Bridgewater
* Edward died in 2007
Uncle Charlie or Fred (he was known by both names, maybe to prevent mix-ups as his father was called Alfred but referred to as Fred. This allowed the eldest son to be called Alf!) He was short in stature and sturdily built. Carrying planks and keel-blocks which made excellent firewood and had been washed-up on the shore of the River Tyne was no problem to Charles.
He always kept his hair short, well oiled and flat. With bulbous warm brown eyes, a generous mouth and good colouring one could imagine him as a good comedy turn. In fact he could be very entertaining when on form and had an excellent singing voice. Favourite pieces were often sung at parties. 'Come Back To Sorrento' was one. With brother Ernie, they were brilliant doing 'The Spaniard That Blighted My Life'
He usually dressed in a dark suit and bow-tie. He told me that as a young man, if he had an idea he was going to get into some fracas, he always put on his best suit. He reckoned to he quite handy at scrapping.
Mother told me that when he was young he was always in trouble being a rather adventurous spirit. She said her father often gave him a beating for his naughty pranks and sometimes Nan would get between them as his father had quite a temper.
Mother recounted a tale with great merriment when he once appeared with a hen's egg he had stolen and when questioned said meekly 'I saw this hen and said, hen, hen lay a little egg for me and it did'
His penchant for wheeling and dealing never left him and he often appeared with items with a dubious history attached to them.
He held a good position in the firm of A Reyrolle and was foreman or leader of a number of sections in his lifetime there, including the Training School and a Research Dept. The latter may have caused him some stress as without advanced education, such a post was probably out of academic depth although not his ability to deal with the personalities.
Like many of the Nicod family, he loved his food and had a special desire for fish. He was often seen hurrying to the fresh-fish shop to get the next meal. An old fashioned custom he practised was the taking of snuff, usually with great dexterity and flamboyancy.
He was a bit of a show-off and this sometimes manifested itself in being as rude and vulgar as possible in public. He had a forced and practised belching ability that was emitted with such ferocity it could be heard from far away. As the Newtown Working Men's Club was just opposite our house, we always knew it was closing time by the singing and on occasion the distinguishing sound of Charles giving vent.
He was very well known in the neighbourhood and again, the Nicod dexterity with hands came through as he was often called-on to repair spectacle frames at short notice. He could do quite good sketches of a cartoon style.
His moods were quite volatile and he would blaspheme heaven and earth whilst upset over something, but at another period, would be friendly, amusing and good company.
I understand that Nora and he often went around with Mother and Father when they were young and first married. Brother and sister of Nicod family married sister and brother of the Cummings family respectively.
He served as a soldier in WW1 and managed to get a small pension for an injury he sustained after being hauled from a shell crater. He always complained of his knee after sitting for a while. Of course, Charles could embellish the tale and one had to take some of his stories and exploits with a pinch of salt.
A colourful character without a doubt. (Terry)
Aunty Nora was very much a 'Cummings' in being a homely, quiet and careful person. She was short in stature and had a square solid frame. She had pale but robust features and always spoke in a quiet hushed way. The Cummings family generally spoke in short bursts which was typical of Tynesiders. She had difficulty getting around as she got older when arthritis limited her walking.
You could always expect a good spread of food on the table if Nora was hosting a party. We usually went round to their house at New Year for a drink and well wishes and were always well received. After some family gathering, Mother and Nora would often quietly chat until the early hours sustained by innumerable cups of tea.
The death of her eldest son Teddy in a road accident was a devastating loss to both families at the time. I can only vaguely recall the event and have a memory of Charles coming into our house, unable to speak, but indicating with his hands that Teddy was gone.
Nora lived to a good old age and always supported the church. She was not a person to try and be authoritative or express strong opinions but quietly got on with enjoying her family. I think she found pleasure in the use of words in poetry and good prose, especially in a romantic setting. (Terry)
She was warm and friendly and lived in cheerful chaos. Always in a muddle and permanently mislaying her purse, she was able to rise above the permanent tirade that Uncle Fred rained upon the household.
I only remember her with greying hair but in her younger days it was apparently 'blue-black' She had very blue eyes and rather rugged features - a 'Cummins' feature.
From what seemed an unbelievable clutter in the kitchen, she could magically produce lovely cooking and everything served up on beautiful china.
It was the custom to call in after midnight on New Year's Eve. I still see her now, the table set with festive fare amidst an atmosphere of general cheeriness (and a special glass of rum for my father).
She did beautiful knitting but managed to end up with it in a muddle, then come flying around to my mother to get unravelled and rescue the garment. Norah and Mother maintained a close friendship throughout their married lives.
In some ways she lacked confidence when it came to spending money. Every article she ever purchased, usually at 'Shephards' shop in Gateshead, was taken back and exchanged.
Most tales that were related by her had to be adjusted somewhat as Auntie Norah was such a romantic that the reality seemed to get lost somewhere along the line. When Uncle Fred was in hospital she read-out to me a beautiful, love letter that she had written to him.
She was quietly religious, usually managing to attend Evening Service at St. John's church on Sundays.
She became very infirm in later years but always made anyone who called feel most welcome in spite of being in some discomfort.
Remembered with affection by everyone. (Rosemary)
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