Norman's Life - His Second Love - Jean, Jenny Janet Mrs Stafford

Around 1944 Norman Stafford met Jean Pattison (nee Dent) at a mutual friends house at the Folly Greenside, Billy Charlton and his wife (unfortunately I cannot remember his wife's first name). 

Sepia Norman Stafford 

Restored Norman Stafford

This photograph of my mam was quite small and is rather overblown, but this is what she must have looked like when she and Norman first met.

Jean Pattison nee Dent

I assume that it was my dad who decided to call my mam Jean. She was Christened Janet after her mother, but was always known by her parents as Jennie.

Jean was a young 26 year old widow from Scotswood, Newcastle upon Tyne (a Townie).  In October 1942, at the age of 22, she married George Pattison, (a month after war had been declared).  My mam said George knew he would be one of the first to be called up as he was already a trained soldier, spending some of his military life in India. They were right, a few weeks later George went off to war and around a year later in 1941 Jean received notification that George was missing. 

I did some research a few years back and perhaps George's unit was trapped by German invading forces on the Greek island of Crete. 

Jean and Norman were married on the 1st of April 1944 at Newcastle upon Tyne Registry Office. Billy Charlton, and his wife acted as witnesses, and were probably the only people who attended the wedding. 

After the wedding Norman and Jean turned up at 16 Milton Street and told his parents that they had just got married. It is not known how shocked or perhaps even disbelieving Maggie, Alfred and Eleanor were, as it was the 1st of April (All Fools Day) when traditionally you played jokes on people.  Also it is not known if Jean's parents, Luke and Janet Dent knew about the wedding either.  However, if you do your sums, (in these very strange times) the war in Europe was still not over - VE day was not declared until 8th May 1945, and times were often heartbreaking and very hard.

Jean and Norman's Wedding Certificate dated 1st April 1944

The surname of the bride's father has been written as Kent, instead of Dent

Jean and Norman had nowhere to live, so the reality was they came to live at 16 Milton Street Greenside - with five people living in a small two up, two down, no bathroom, with a back yard and an outside toilet. Not luxurious accommodation, but financially there would be no problems as the Wedding Certificate confirms his father's occupation as a deputy overman, this also confirms that Alfred returned to work in Greenside Colliery, and also Norman was working as a bus driver. Barbara and Albert were now married. 

Shortly after Jean's arrival Alfred wrote a letter to her parents. I believe he wrote this note in a true Christian spirit, as he did like Jean and eventually the three women did get on, but sadly Alfred died in October 1947.  

1944 Letter from Alfred Stafford to Jean's parents Luke and Janet Dent

The letter just shows the damage sellotape does.  In case you have difficulty in reading Alfred's writing -

"Dear Mr& Mrs Dent

I am writing on behalf of Mrs Stafford and myself, to assure you of a very sincere and hearty welcome to your Daughter Jennie, into the fellowship of our home and family, on the occasion of her marriage to our son Norman.  We will look upon her as one of our own.  To speak truly she has won our hearts, due to her cheery and sporty disposition, and If I am any judge her sincere devotion to Norman, so will you please allow us just to say that they will get on with us just as they would do if they had both been our own.  I hope you will excuse me, taking this liberty, and in closing we send our kindest regards to you, and we remain

Yours very truly
Margaret and Alf Stafford"

Almost 8 months later, the number living at 16 Milton Street Greenside, was again six, when my sister Dorothy Margaret Stafford was born on 20th November 1944. So perhaps it is understandable in these times that their marriage was of a rather clandestine nature. 

Original Dorothy Margaret Stafford b: 20th November 1944

Restored Dorothy Margaret Stafford b: 20th November 1944

Norman and Jean's second child, Pauline Clark Stafford, was born almost 17 months later, which meant two babies under two. In those days this would have sent the village gossips and busybodies into over-drive.  I remember her telling me  "I cried the whole nine months you were coming", and to compound Jean's stress I arrived on their 2nd Wedding Anniversary, 1st April 1946. We laughed about it later saying, "what a Wedding Anniversary present."  I have never been good at remembering birthdays and anniversaries, but somehow I never forgot to buy my mam and dad a wedding anniversary card. 

By 1946 there was no spare money for a studio photograph of me, but this is probably the earliest photograph taken at two months old, at the sea-side with my mam. I was a tiny baby, being only 4lbs when born, and not a particularly healthy baby either.

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Jean Stafford with her second child Pauline Clark Stafford Born 1st April 1946

Norman at the gate of 13 Milton Street with Dorothy aged about a year old in 1945

Dorothy 1945 13 Milton Street Greenside