So, what did happen on the eve of Dad’s 22nd birthday?

Mum said YES!

To My Darling Incy

On the eve of my 22nd Birthday, there wasn’t a happier man on this earth than me. Thanks for saying “yes” and here’s to a Wonderful and Glorious future, together.

Loving You only, for Ever and a Day,

Mac.

xxxxx 8.12.1945 xxxxx

Mum's autograph book, a gift on her 15th birthday 1937

11th June ‘37

With fond love

from

Mum, Dad and Sisters

for

A Happy Birthday

Bob, Johnny & Mac

When I first had a look through all of Mum & Dad’s photos in the big box that lives in my spare room, I didn’t know what to do with them and had no idea about starting this blog. Some photos were in albums but most were just loose in Kodak wallets and I left them as they were except for this picture of Bob, Johnny & Mac. It caught my eye for two reasons and so I put it to one side.

I used to work in Liverpool in the early 1980s in a photographic darkroom. I would travel in by train and occasionally get the ferry across the Mersey when the trains were on strike. I took it for granted that Port Sunlight village had its own train station and really enjoyed being able to walk to the station, something I still do where I live now in Cark-in-Cartmel. When I was a teenager Anne also worked in Liverpool and I would often meet her off the train with our dog Max. As we walked through the Dell, Max would always know where we were going and as soon as we saw Anne walking down the stone steps opposite the station, Max would run to her and nearly knock her over! He was a big alsatian. I’m sure Anne has some fond memories of him. Keith used to take him for walks and runs too. I think I’m right in saying that Max had a go at all the family (bark, bite, growl) except Mum.... he was a bit of a mad dog!

Anyway, one of me mates at werk looked just like Bob in the photo... it’s so uncanny that when I look at it I just burst out laughing! It makes me think of the James Cole character in Terry Gilliam’s Twelve Monkeys.

The other reason is Dad’s big grin!.... he looks so happy. I can see so many of my family’s faces in Dad’s face... me, Keith, Kerry...

Anyone know who Bob & Johnny are? Dad has a bandage on his knee and I wonder if this has anything to do with his accident? Rob knows that story I think?

Dad could be so happy because it could be the 8th December 1945, the eve of Dad’s 22nd birthday. What happened on that day I hear you ask..... well that’s another blog post!!!.......

A happy Mac & pals

Back of above print

Me (Anne) ....and my Mum's teddy!

Anne & Teddy

Yes, as the title says...this is/was actually Mum's teddy!
She grew up with it in India and then brought it over with her when she married Dad. Over the years it became quite bald and lost it's eyes! I remember going to Birkenhead market with Mum to the 'toy hospital' there where she bought 2 new plastic eyes on wire for him!
When Mum passed away it was only right that her childhood Teddy should go with her....my daughter, Katey made a replica in flowers which was beautiful. The funeral Directors even asked if we were sure that Teddy should go to as he was so old!
Katey has a photo of the 'Teddy flowers' which I will find and put up later.

Me (Anne) outside The Ginnel.

Anne outside The Ginnel

I remember that 'costume' well, but just not the day. It was bottle green with an orange and cream trim, and I was obviously at that age of being allowed to wear tights! (no more cold socks for me!)

My hairband was pale blue (I took after Mum for not matching colours - sorry Mum!), and I was obviously fond of pixie boots at that time! Do I really have long arms? That costume was probably made for me at Nancy Huff's (?) seamstress and clothes shop up in The Wiend. Each Birthday and Christmas Dad would take me and respectively Mum, to choose a dress or coat or whatever, and it would be made for us! I remember one year watching a film starring Tony Curtis and Audrey Hepburn in which she wore a beautiful elegant white coat....and yes, you've guessed it, I got to wear my very own handmade version and imagine I too was a Hollywood star! Thank you Dad.

In this photo's background is the Bridge Inn, Port Sunlight's village pub/hotel.

Also behind me to my left - is that Billy Ebbrell's car? I think it was a Ford Cortina, Mark 1?

A little girl and her doll - happy days!

Anne

I'm pleased to see I'm smiling in this picture - not the miserable face I showed in 'A lovely McCormack family photo'!

Do any of my brothers know where this was taken? Perhaps it was on holiday or maybe just a day out?

I vaguely remember that doll, but not her name! I think she had gold earrings!

Another lovely festive memory!

Keith, Rob & Dad

Aw...another Christmas picture - my favourite type!
Dad sitting in 'his' chair with, which looks to be the drinks glasses cocktail cabinet to his right...he enjoyed his tot of whisky! Whenever anyone called, Dad's welcoming words were always, "Nancy, get the whisky out will you!" Mostly he just tried his luck as Mum usually replied "no!" But Christmas was always the exception as shown in the blog entry 'Rob and sideboard full of drinks!'
Rob looks his usual cheeky self and is wearing a tie! - very smart. I think he dedicated the best part of his youth just teasing me! Mind you I think Keith did his fair share too! Keith looks particularly happy here...I guess Mum must have been taking the photo.
What a contrast to the Christmas décor of today! We would always have balloons and those crepe paper streamers as seen hanging above Dad's head here. The colours would even be pastel pinks or blues...not particularly festive?! And who remembers licking all those gummed strips of paper to make paper chains?!...which wouldn't stay stuck!
The tree baubles were always glass, not the plastic ones of today, but inevitably one would break when putting them on the tree, and then we'd lose another one (or two) when taking the decorations off the tree after the traditional 12 days of Christmas.
However for that year, which I think must be about 1959, that looks to be quite an impressive tree which is adorning our front room!

A lovely McCormack family photo

Dad, Anne, Rob, Keith & Granma

Once again, a photo I don't ever remember seeing...unless I've simply forgotten!
For some reason I look extremely miserable! I'm sitting in between Dad and Rob who's next to Keith then there's Gran at the end. (Dad's Mum)
I must be about 4 or 5 which makes the year 1959-60.
I wonder if it's a Saturday as we always picked up Gran then and she would come back to our house for tea. If it was a sunny day we would always have an ice cream cornet/wafer on the way home but it always had to be Wall's ice cream, (or was that Lyon's Maid?)
Remember Buckley's ice cream in New Ferry - it was the BEST ever!