A long time ago I shared old family photos but they will be new to many, so here they are again.
Above, on the left, is my father’s father, Thomas Charles. He was a blacksmith at the Sunbeam Motorcar Factory in Wolverhampton, England. I think this photo was taken for a newspaper on his retirement, probably in the late 1950's. Nandad passed away when I was eleven.
My father described him as very 'Victorian' and I found him a little scary at times. I was a very active, all-over-the-place kind of child and Nandad - as all of us grandchildren called him - thought that children should be seen and most definitely not heard. On one occasion I had done something he disapproved of. I ran over his foot when playing with my cousins. I remember my beloved Nanny’s soothing voice saying to him, as I literally hid behind her skirts, "Now Tom, she is only a child."
I often think how nice it would have been to know him as an adult, to let him know that I turned out okay and to reassure him that what he perceived as a naughty little child, turned into a pretty straight arrow kind of an adult, with a few Victorian ideas of her own.
Cool photo! Glad you turned out okay, fine and dandy! Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda and me too, lol! :)
DeleteGrowing up I never knew any of my relatives other than my immediate family. Indeed I was in my forties before I discovered that I have cousins - half a world away. I envy you your photo of your Nandad - and that you got to meet him. I am sure that he would be proud of how you turned out.
ReplyDeleteThat’s sweet of you to say Sue, thank you. I hope so :) Do you keep in touch with those cousins you found? I am happy to have these photos I must admit.
DeleteA lovely post Denise. I'm sure he's up there looking down smiling 😉
ReplyDeleteI am glad you enjoyed this post Margaret, thank you and I hope so :)
DeleteWhat a sweet little girl you were.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure, behind the stiff exterior, he was proud of his grandchildren and loved them. It's so sad that we cannot know our relatives in all their life stages, though I know that would be impossible.
Thank you Janice :) I am sure he was and I agree with you. It would have been lovely to know them when they were young for instance.
DeleteWhat a wonderful story about your grandfather. I have only one memory of my dads dad and I never got to know him at all. My mother's dad I found a bit scary but I think it was because of the stories she told about how strict he was when she was growing up. I spent a week with him once when my grandmother came to stay at our house and he was so nice to me. It was an experience I will never forget.
ReplyDeleteThat’s a lovely memory of your own grandfather Ann. Thank you for sharing that.
DeleteI am quite sure he is the first blacksmith I have ever seen in a crisp white shirt!
ReplyDeleteThis was on the day of his retirement when he was being recognized by the firm at a retirement ceremony :)
DeleteLoved the memories and the photos of your Nandad and you!
ReplyDeleteTake care, have a great day!
Thank you Eileen, and you take care and have a great day too :)
DeleteSome of our elders did not understand kids. I was fortunate and had grandparents who most of the time were good to their grandchildren.
ReplyDeleteThat’s really nice the memory you have of your grandparents Red:) My nanny, Dad’s mother, was very sweet and kind. I have lovely memories of her.
Deletewhat a wonderful picture of your grandfather and the story is even better. you are an amazing, kind blogger friend and if i saw that picture of you anywhere, i would know it was you!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Debbie, so sweet of you to say, and the feeling is mutual my friend :)
DeleteOh my goodness, you are adorable! And you still have the same pretty hair! Neither one of us knew that Sunbeam ever made cars! But maybe it was just not in this country. I had a great grandmother pretty much the same. It was very hard for her to tolerate me, and we lived with her! Of course, now that I am so old, I see where kids can get on your nerves so much. But of course, never the grandkids!
ReplyDeleteNow that made me smile, and no doubt very true regarding kids v grandkids :) My grandmother was such a sweet soul. Nandad was also very well liked and a good man from all reports. Mum met him at a munitions factory during WWII. He was her boss, the Forman. I'm not sure how long this was after his job at Sunbeam. Probably went back to work to help the war effort as so many did. Mum met my Dad later. I wish I knew Nandad when I was older, I would have asked more questions. Thanks Ginny :)
DeleteAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW I love the photos and background.
ReplyDeletethank you for sharing...family history.
Hugs Cecilia
Thank you Cecilia, glad you enjoyed :) Sending hugs!
DeleteA precious photo!
ReplyDeleteThank you Christine :)
DeleteThank you for sharing a little of your family history. What a sweet photo of little you!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading it Ellen, very much appreciated :)
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