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| Baby - born 1945 in England |
Grateful for a happy secure childhood in a loving family. Born at the end of the war I escaped the traumas of air-raid drills, gas masks and being being evacuated.
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| About 5 years old |
From 2 years old (after I had whooping cough) I remember constant attacks of bronchitis. Mum taught me to knit. I'm proud of this jumper which I knitted (with some help) - red with white fairisle pattern!
I started school in England but don't really remember anything about it. This photo shows my school blazer - Leighcliff School.
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| Andrew and Sheila Christmas before leaving England |
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| 35 Leighcliff Rd where we lived before coming to NZ. (Photo taken on a trip back to England.) |
I remember open fires - roasting chestnuts on the fire at Christmas, -being in bed a lot with bronchitis and Mum or Dad staying with me during the night as I was afraid I couldn't breathe if I went to sleep.
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1952 On board the P&O Strathaird to set off for NZ.
L-R Grandad, Grandma, Merrie, Peter, me with ? behind me, Dad with Andrew, Mum |
I appreciate now, more than ever, the courage of my Mum bringing four children aged 16, 14, 6 and 2 across the world away from all family, friends and contacts. Dad too, of course, but for him it was an exciting call to a new ministry.
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The family photo for welcome to Auckland Baptist Tabernacle
Sheila, Mum (Kate), Meriel, Andrew, Dad (John), Peter. |
The years at the Tab were happy for me. We lived in the Manse at 15 Henley Rd, Mt Eden.
This is the only (very poor) photo I have of it.
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| 15 Henley Rd, Mt Eden (Andrew outside) |
Still lots of bronchitis and time away from school but I read books constantly and my schooling didn't seem to suffer.
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1953 Mt Eden Normal Primary.
I'm second row from back, fifth in from left. |
Seven years old and in Mr Martin's class. He was my favourite teacher and is still someone I remember with warmth.
