FAMILY TREES

Aunt Vi

The third child of William and Alice, Violet was born in Tanyard Lane, Dagenham. She never married.

She attended Beacontree Heath School with her sister Kathleen and left school at age 14 years. Her father insisted she had to stay at home to help her stepmother run the home. Her stepmother did not entirely agree and she went into service working for a Mrs Baker at Blackheath. She had only one day off per month.

Her father who by this time had become quite ill (with kidney problems) had a garden and allotment where he grew all the produce for the family. This he had to give up and a neighbour Mr Collard took over the running of the allotment.

While working for Mrs Baker, Violet's leg became ulcerated and she had to stay for three months in Charlton Cottage Hospital and had to have sun-ray treatment. On doctors advice she went to St Albans for a holiday, but liked it so much she stayed.

During her many years in St Albans she worked as an auxiliary nurse in a mental hospital, as a conductress on the buses, a waitress in a restaurant, and for many years worked at 'de Havillands' (now British Aerospace). She worked there at the time that the Comet plane was being developed. She used to travel abroad for her summer holidays.

Violet was also good at needle-work. She knitted for many years and only gave it up in later years because of arthritis affecting her hands. She still does all her own cooking and cleaning, and travels regularly on the bus to town to do her shopping.

(Joyce, January 2000)