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Note: In the 20's the family consisted of Father, Mother, Nora and Walter, Ivy their eldest sister lived in Bristol. Father was reasonably well off, and had a summer residence in Bridlington called the White House. They had a live-in maid. Walter was supposed to work in father's office learning the business, but he was at the races most days. Nora never went out to work. In the great strike of 1926 father and many businessmen went broke. They went to live in father's offices in Bishop Lane, Hull with boxes for furniture. Around this time Walter went on the trams as a strike breaker, Nora got a job at Thornton Varleys in the cafe as a waitress. Mother got a job as a demonstrator for Persil and went off to London to be trained.
When James was six, he was in the garden when this dirigible passed over their home towards the Humber. All of a sudden there was a large explosion and his Shetland Pony who was housed in a small stable at the end of the garden was so frightened that he broke loose and galloped off down the lane. Walter and he searched in vain but could not find him. In the evening he got word that he was outside his school Froebel House, 3 Marlborough Avenue, waiting patiently for him. The pony did not know he was on holiday. They had four animals with absurd names. There was Ponty the Airedale, daft as his name, Nora had a dove called Pidgy, she over fed him. The tortoise was called Fred and James's pony was called Fatty. They also had a car which Walter drove, the vehicle was like a small bus, open to the weather, the make was a Saxon.
It maybe coincidence but Tony's father and Jean's father were both called Walter. Walter's address in Hull was 22 Carrington Street, Ivy's address in Bristol was 22 and James's digs in London was 22 Vyner Road.
James was stationed in London, his mother and Jean lived in Hull. Sister Nora was working in Ilkley. James thought of a plan to get all the family under one roof. He saw an advertisment in the local press for a flat to let above a chemist shop, the rent was 10 shillings a week. Mr Hughes was the landlord and a kindly man. He first persuaded Nora to give her notice to the hotel, she came first, he had to get Nora temporary digs nearby because they had no furniture. Next was Mother and Jean, mother slept in the removal van all the way from Hull to Acton whereas Jean stayed with the men in the drivers compartment. As soon as the vau arrived, Nora was there to arrange the furniture.
The family was together again under one roof. After three months they finally settled, Nora got a job at a local office and Jean went to the local school. He then asked Walter if Tony could stay with them during the school holidays, he agreed (probably to save him money).
James met Tony at Kings Cross Station, then they went on the tube as far as Shepherds Bush. Tony thought the tube was marvellous, in fact he wanted something to do, he thought Ronnie had trained him well. Tony took over the washing up duties straight away. In the weeks ahead James took him to the zoo, Science Museum, British Museum, Jean went as well. Those days he did not have a car so they went by tube and bus. Tony loved the travelling. The holidays came to an end, James wasn't sure whether he or Tony was saddened most.
13 Stanhope Road, Norton
Pearson Park, then Park Grove.
Then 84 Marlborough Ave.
Lived at 24 Bishop Lane where Walter Thomas Spencer met Veronica.
Moved to 175 Anlaby Road where Walter S L died.
365 Anlaby Road near the level crossing.
Anlaby Road, corner of South Parade
above Mallory's Ironmongers, Hessle Road
Lived at 22 Carrington Street
Acton Vale, London
Lee Road, Southall, London
Jersey Road, Hounslow
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