Childhood Memories

Elizabeth Bickers was a long time resident of Toot Hill and in 1967 contributed to a competition entitled ‘Memories up to 1926.’ In it she recalls her childhood memories.

I was born in Balaam Street, Plaistow, Essex, 4.4.1891. My earliest recollection, seeing a very big 4 poster oak bedstead with huge wooden knobs at each corner, it belonged to my Grandfather.

Every Monday morning, the Landlord Mr. Fisher came in a pony and trap with his sister, Miss Fisher to collect the rent. He always wore grey topper, frock coat, gloves and spats, she was dressed very elegantly, and sat in the trap whilst he came into the parlour, whilst my mother paid him the rent. He always sat me on his knee and I nursed my dolly.

Nearly opposite where we lived a black Dr. had a surgery. His name Dr. Buske. I was 5 years old. Dr. Buske, came to see my mother and offered to adopt me, educate me and bring me up as his daughter. My mother refused, but he continued calling, and mother eas very worried. My mother was very definite and continually said NO. eventually he ceased calling and left the district.

When I was 6 years old, we moved to Grange Rd. a 6 roomed house 9/- per week, a lot of money in thse days. Sundays with my brothers and sister, we went to Sunday School, morning and afternoon, having to walk very sedately, no arm swinging or running. Previously to that we “Family Prayers” led by my mother. We were a happy family, and not too badly off.

Later my mother developed appendicitis, and the surgeon who operated on King Edward VII operated on my mother. My father was a seaman, and stayed at the hospital for a fortnight, just coming home to see we were cared for by my aunt. From that time our troubles started. Father could not get a ship, in consequence he was out of work, occasionally doing a day in the docks.

My mother took in washing, and I took in mangling for a penny per doz. My brothers would turn the mangle, and I would put my hands on clothes to keep them straight. One day my little finger was caught in rollers and smashed. I was hurriedly taken to Nurses home and had it dressed. After many weeks it healed, and I started taking in mangling again. Another smashed finger, this time middle finger on right hand. More visits to Nurses home, today my two fingers are still deformed.

When Queen Victoria died, my mother was taking in washing from off the line. Mother was very upset, because poor old Queen was dead. We all had crepe arms bands, on Sunday, we had crepe bows on our hat, and black gloves, 2¾d a pair those days, and of course usual black stockings.

Christmas time, we had a fire in the parlour and sat around thinking how lovely it was. As children we believed in Santa Claus, and my sister and I were thrilled Christmas morning to find one new penny, a few nuts, an apple and an orange and a piece of hair ribbon, or a penny wooden doll in our stocking, doll undressed, but is was such a surprise.

We one had burglars in, who got in by opening kitchen window with a knife, they stole 4/- penny bank money, which was to buy one of my brothers a pair of shoes, also theu took two penny worth of ham, for my Dad’s sandwiches.

These are just a few of my childhood memories.