Merlyn Brind (my mother) died in the early hours of September 9, 2009. She was 80, had lived through rationing during the Second World War and had given birth to five children.
Her parents were Jessie and Edward Williams. He was a gas meter tester (a skilled job) but he tended to be off work much of the winter with bronchial complaints. I was told he had TB.
She met Alan Brind in Don's café, West Norwood, and they got engaged when she was 21.
Alan Brind and Merlyn Williams on their wedding day 24/3/1951 at St Lukes, West Norwood : Click for more.