Mary (Molly) Gibson's Story Part 4 (cont'd) - The Youngest Gibson

MOLLYS STORY PART 4 (cont'd) 

 AS TIME GOES BY

"Molly became very involved in the church.  She was a member of the Mothers Union, delivering church magazines and the Sunday breakfast, after morning service.

Everybody loved Molly - once a month she would have the choir boys for tea.  They talked of this for years, a choir boy recently contacted Christine on Facebook about the teas.

Forster's staff loved Molly too; she was kind to all their families.


Every year Molly and Forster would go bramble (blackberry) picking with Molly making jars and jars of bramble and apple jelly". 

BRAMBLES/BLACKBERRIES 

BRAMBLE (BLACKBERRY) AND APPLE JELLY (YUMMY ON WARM TOAST/CRUSTY BREAD)

"Each Christmas she would make 6 Christmas cakes, some for gifts, and of course there were the renowned Ginger Snaps, and used to make 100 each Monday morning.  Her Chocolate Cake was another favourite of many".

HOME MADE CHRISTMAS CAKE

HOMEMADE GINGER SNAPS (BISCUITS) 
(lovely with a cup of tea!)

"Molly continued to visit her father and used to get very upset as she felt he was somewhat neglected.  She knew she couldn't do anything to help.  She and the family knew of the man who was living in her father's home, and they never liked him. Her father passed away on the 29th March 1962 aged 88 years.  Her half-sister Margaret Pitchford (nee Gibson) was married by then; she had two children.  Margaret was/is a lovely person, and although there was no close bond between the family they were always pleasant to each other.

After this Forster's sister Maggie came to live with them as she wasn't well.  Maggie was a widow and had no family.  After about a year Maggie was taken to hospital and passed away.

When Forster was nearing 80 he had a TIA (mini stroke).  He had difficulty reading and writing and lost confidence in playing the organ.  It was a great blow to him as he was a member of the Royal School of Church Music and often travelled to London and other churches.  However, his reading and writing greatly improved and he managed to play the organ at St Anne's Church in Dunbar for his grandson Christopher's baptism.  He went back to playing at Sugley for a short time".

St Anne's Dunbar

Molly and Forster at the Christening of their first grandchild Kirsten

"Much to their delight Molly and Forster got a small cottage overlooking Sugley Church". 

2019 Wedgewood Cottages overlooking Sugley Church Lemington
similar to Forster & Molly's Cottage

"Then Forster was diagnosed with prostate cancer and he was in and out of the Freeman Hospital Newcastle upon Tyne.  He had carers two or three times a day, which he hated.

Christine and Jim were often there to help, Molly, and Kirsten (their granddaughter) would often visit.  

Forster was taken into hospital at Christmas 2000.  It broke Molly's heart having to say she couldn't manage any more.  Forster was then taken into Throckley nursing home in January 2001, he hated it.  The family all visited often.

On the 7th May 2001 Kirsten visited on her own and her papa said "I know who you are and I love you very much". The staff said he never spoke again, to them, or any of the family.

Forster passed away peacefully on 17th May 2001 aged 91, with Molly and Christine at his bedside.

Molly had wonderful neighbours at Wedgewood Cottages and was lucky in their support, and the support of her family and the church congregation.  She went to stay with brother Tom's daughter in Guernsey for a couple of weeks.

Sister Ann and her husband Rob had moved south a few years previously to be nearer their daughter Sonia.  Molly and Forster used to visit regularly.  After Rob passed away Ann would often come and stay with Molly.

As time went by, when Molly was nearing 90 Christine could see her mum's mind and memory was not what it was.  Christine travelled regularly from Scotland and stayed two or three times a week, but eventually more help was needed.

Molly was eventually taken into Sovereign Lodge nursing home, where she was so very happy, although she was dreadfully confused, but, they still had some good laughs.

Molly died on the 18th March 2012 at the age of 95 in Sovereign Lodge Nursing home. 

Molly always said she would make a great departure from this world and she passed away peacefully on Mothering Sunday in her 96th year".

Mary (Molly Gibson) at her home in Lemington

"Molly was a wonderful mum, mum-in-law, grandma, great grandma and friend to many."

  

Mary (Molly) Gibson's Story - Part 4 - The Youngest Gibson

PART 4 - LEMINGTON


"Molly Forster and Christine moved to Lemington in 1954.

Lemington circa 1950
Co-op can be seen in the distance

Christine was 9 years old at the time.  Forster was Branch Manager of the Co-op which meant he saw to wages etc for the Drapery, Butchers, Greengrocers, Chemist and of course the large grocery store where he had his office.  There was also a reading room above the shops where people would read the newspaper or take their books.

Inside Lemington Co-op circa 1953

The house was large, squashed between the Greengrocers and the Pub.  No garden, just a backyard.  However there was an alley leading to a huge store yard with stables and cart horses, with plenty of storage units.  Cattle, pigs and sheep used to come in live and the butcher would slaughter them himself.

The Store House Lemington where Molly & Forster lived for 44 years

Molly & Foster The Store House Lemington

Molly's sister Ann lived just around the corner in Montague Street with her husband Rob and daughter Sonia and Grandma Hull. Molly and Christine spent Sundays with Ann and her family while Forster was at Sugley, it was good being close.

Molly's brothers Eddie and Joe lived in Denton Burn, and were frequent visitors with their family and Molly and Forster often visited them.

Molly's brothers Tom and Alf came for holidays and Molly, Forster and Christine had, and would, continue to spend many holidays with them.

Sister Lil's son Donald and his wife Lois came over from Australia often, visiting and staying with Molly.

Their father had given Eliza her mother's watch after Polly died and said then, that it had to go to Molly in later years.  Li brought the watch with her and gave it to Molly, a very emotional moment.

Christine's daughter Kirsten now has it and she will pass it to her son Christopher, (Molly and Forster's Great Grandson).

There was some consternation when Janet Gibson (nee Smith) bought a shop just a few yards along from the Co-op selling wool, baby and children's clothing. 

More about all these visits when Christine shares her memories of her cousins and her childhood.

Once again it was Molly who visited her father only to discover that Janet had another man living with her and her husband!

Christine started going to church, she was baptised at Blaydon, Church of England, and Molly started going too.  They were both confirmed in 1956.  Wonderful friends were made, many of whom Christine is still in touch with today.

In 1987 Molly did visit Australia, (Forster wouldn't go).  She was supposed to stay for 3 weeks, however, she stayed 7 weeks due to a strike.  She really enjoyed herself."

  

Mary (Molly) Gibson's Story - Part 3 (cont'd) - The Youngest Gibson

PART 3 (cont'd) FROM WINLATON MILL TO LEMINGTON

"It was hard times then, and although Forster had been asked many times to stay in the RAF he refused as he knew he would get on OK within the Co-op.  Molly said she remembers Forster often saying he regretted not staying in the RAF.

Life was good in Winlaton Mill and Molly soon made lots of friends whom she kept in touch with until they passed away.  

Christine started at Rowlands Gill Primary school in September 1950.  

In 1950 the school was amalgamated with Rowlands Gill County Boys to form Rowlands Gill Junior Mixed and Infants, with senior pupils transferred to High Spen County Senior Mixed."  

Rowlands Gill Infant & Junior Schools

"Molly used to take Christine to the bus each morning; she made friends with a couple who had one son and had the same birthday as Christine.  They were Christian Scientists and tried to persuade Forster to join them.  They all remained great friends.  Christine and their son Brian and his family remained friends until he died quite young.

Molly's brother Albert and his wife Florrie emigrated to Australia about this time.  They took their younger son Alan with them, but their elder son Norman remained in UK with Molly and Forster so he could finish his education.

Lillian and Tommy's daughter Maureen had finished her nurse training and Donald his apprenticeship with the Telephone Company, and they too decided to emigrate to Australia.  A great loss, however, letters and phone calls were every 3 or 4 weeks.  

Li and Lil lived close to each other in Australia.

Forster travelled to Lemington for his church duties and Molly would go to Scotswood to visit Evelyn and Aunt Janet.  Christine loved going to Aunt Janet's as she had the biggest button box and she was allowed to play with it)."

"At this time Molly decided to make amends with her father.  She was the only one of the family to do so.  Christine remembers going to Whitfield Road."

The Whitfield Road House

In early 1954 Forster was promoted to Branch Manager at Lemington Co-op.  The family moved to Lemington and another wonderful chapter started in the family life."

TYNE VIEW LEMINGTON

Mary (Molly) Gibson's Story - Part 3 - The Youngest Gibson

MOLLY'S STORY PART 3

The war had ended and after Forster was demobbed, Molly, Forster and Christine moved to Scotswood.

Evelyn Storey owned 12 Gregson Street Scotswood, which was upstairs and downstairs flats.  At this time the downstairs flat was vacant so the family moved in. This pleased Molly as she loved Evelyn so much and they were right next door to her mother's sister, Auntie Janet and Uncle Luke.  Janet and Luke had two children, Janet (Jenny) and William (Billy) Dent.  Jenny was married to Norman and had two girls, Dorothy and Pauline Stafford.

Luke & Janet Dent (nee Clark)
13 Gregson Street Sotswood - Whitfield Road behind
Evelyn Storey, lived next door in Top Flat
Molly Forster and Christine also lived next door in Ground Floor Flat

Janet & Luke's daughter Janet (Jenny) Dent circa 1919

Janet and Luke's Son Billy Dent aged just over a year old circa 1934

L: Norman Stafford with Dorothy and Jenny (nee Dent) with Pauline
 in Garden of 13 Gregson Street Scotswood

Molly's father's house was visible from Auntie Janet's house, not many yards away, basically 'just over the road'. 

Molly's sister Ann, husband Rob and daughter Sonia also lived in Scotswood.

Circa Winter 1948
 Janet & Luke's Garden 13 Gregson Street Scotswood
  cousins (once removed) aged about 2 years old 
R: Christine Moore (Molly & Forsters daughter)
 L: Dorothy Stafford (Jenny Stafford (nee Dent's daughter)

Forster's family lived in Blaydon, and although his daughter Christine cannot remember Forster's father, apparently he was always visiting as he adored the 'babby'.  He gave lots of cuddles and got quite emotional.

In 1948 Forster became organist and choirmaster at Holy Saviour Church, at Sugley Lemington. 

Holy Saviour Church Sugley Near Lemington

Sugley Organ

Here are a couple of photographs of Forster as Choir Master and organist.

 Seated, 4th from left Forster Moore 

Forster Moore with Sugley Church Choir 1965

As a tribute to Forster here is a piece of organ music that he will have played countless times for Lemington couples. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrWQq6oOtf4

Forster became manager of the Co-op at Winlaton Mill.  There was a beautiful house with the job and Molly was in her element. 

Naylor Avenue Winlaton Mill circa 2018
Winlaton Mill is a village located by the River Derwent, about half a mile south east of Winlaton in the Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead

Molly's sister Lillian, and her husband Tom and their two children, Maureen and Donald also lived in Winlaton Mill.

Eliza and her family had emigrated back to Australia as they were worried about their daughter Ailsa's health (she had asthma).

Rob Hull - husband of Molly's sister Ann became a Manager at the Co-op in Lemington. There were two Co-ops in Lemington at this time.

Robert Hull

Marriage of Ann Gibson (Molly's sister) & Robert Hull

Marriage of Ann Gibson and Robert Hull
Circa ?

Ann and Rob bought a house in Lemington and took Rob's mother to live with them, so that Ann could carry on working as a Tracer at Vickers Armstrong.

Montague Street Lemington in 2018 Ann (nee Gibson) & Rob Hull Lived in one of these houses. 

Ann Hull (nee Gibson) and husband Robert Hull
Photograph taken in their home at Montague Street Lemington

An 1909 Engineering Tracing Office
 photographed some years earlier than when Ann would have worked in Vickers Armstrong as a Tracer 

Female Tracers worked in the Drawing Office and traced over the drawings made by draftsmen to make the final original design.  Women were able to trace over these plans with care and precision.  It took great skill to be able to become a tracer.  You had to complete an apprenticeship.  The tracing offices were made up of female employees who very much kept separate from their male colleagues.
https://ballastblog.blogspot.com/2018/05/women-working-in-industry-female-tracers.html

Mary (Molly) Gibson's Story - Part 2 - The Youngest Gibson

MOLLY'S STORY PART 2

After Molly and Forster were engaged, the rift between the Gibson family was still very prevalent.  It upset Molly as she, as the baby of the family, had loved her father dearly.  Thomas Gibson and his second wife, Janet, had two children of their own.  Robert, who died aged about 12 (Molly thought it was TB, but not sure).  They also had a daughter, Margaret, who Molly got to know in later years.  More information about that later.

Forster continued to work for the Co-op, and was organist at Blaydon Parish Church.

Blaydon Parish Church St Cuthberts 2018

Molly continued to help Eliza and Archie in their shop and teaching elocution.  

Forster's family were all very musical.  His brother Tom played the fiddle and piano, brother Laidler played piano and saxophone, and of course Forster played piano and organ.  Tom passed his musical ability onto his own two sons; this ability continues in Molly's eldest Great Grandson.

World War II

World War II broke out in 1939 and changed everything.

Forster joined the RAF as an instructor in book-keeping and the safety of the new recruits.  He became a Flight Lieutenant.

Flight Lieutenant Forster Moore First Row Centre

WWII Flight Lieutenant Uniform

Molly joined the WAAF and was in the stores.  Molly became a Non-Commissioned Officer.  WAAFs who were engaged to be married were not allowed to be Commissioned.

WWII WAAF Uniform

Molly was stationed at Thornaby in Yorkshire, and Forster was at another base in Yorkshire. 

MOLLY

Molly and Forster in their RAF/WAAF Uniforms

Molly's brother Tom lived in North Ferriby and as they were stationed near, they would both stay with Tom and his family when they got leave.  Both Molly and Forster enjoyed life in the RAF and told many hillarious tales to their daughter.

North Ferriby

Molly (right)
 Photograph could have been taken at her brother Tom's house in North Ferriby?

When Molly and Forster picked a day for their wedding, Eliza took the 'bull by the horns' and went to see her father and asked him to give Molly away.  He agreed and Molly and Forster married in Holy Cross church in Fenham on 24th June 1943.  Eliza and Archie paid for the wedding. 

1943 Molly and her father Tom Gibson aged 69

Molly and Forster Wedding Day
24th June 1943
L-R: Maureen Potts (Molly's sister Lillian's daughter) Jean Moore (Forster's brother Tommy's daughter)
Forster and Molly, Ann Gibson, (Molly's sister) Ernest Cook (best man)
Joan Gibson (?) and Ailsa McLeod (Molly's sister Eliza's daughter)

Molly and her friends from WAAF

Holy Cross Church Fenham built in 1935
The church had only been built for 8 years when Molly and Forster married

Whether Molly went back into the WAAF is not known.

This gets a little confusing.  Eliza and her family went to Australia and came back to England, but the dates are not known.

Molly gave birth to a daughter, Christine Mary on the 1st September 1945 in the private Gables Nursing home on Scotswood Road.  Once again Eliza and Archie paid for this.

Molly's sister Ann had given birth to a daughter Sonia at the Gables on Molly's birthday in 1944, Ann was very ill, but was well taken care of, so this is why Eliza made Molly go privately.

THE GABLES
18 Gloucester Terrace, Elswick Road Newcastle/Tyne - it was demolished in 1994 

By this time Forster was stationed at the Grand Hotel in Eastbourne.  Eliza and Archie were living in Brighton and Molly and Christine went to live with them until Forster was demobbed.

During WWII Eastbourne was easy prey to air raids - the Grand Hotel eventually closed down and became a military headquarters

 Brighton Beach
From the Outbreak of War in 1939 Brighton became a no-go area
The beach was covered in mines and barbed wire

25 years after their marriage, Molly and Forster celebrated their Silver Wedding with their respective Gibson and Moore families.

THE GIBSON CLAN

back L-R: Rob Hull (Ann Gibson's husband) Sonia Hull (Ann & Rob's only child) Forster Moore Jim Smith (Christine Moore's husband) Joe Gibson Eddie Gibson

front L-R: Ann Hull (nee Gibson) Tom Gibson Nan Gibson (Tom's wife) Molly holding her first grandchild Kirsten - daughter Christine's first child) Christine Smith (nee Moore Molly & Forster's only child) Peggy Gibson (Eddie's wife) Molly Gibson (Joe's wife)

Unfortunately the "Moore Clan" photograph is very blurred but it was still worth publishing as it records a very happy occasion for everyone.

THE MOORE CLAN - names later