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NOTE: All family relationships based on me! (mekenok).

This is uncle Murray - that is John Murray Hall, my mother's brother. He was 18 years older than my mother, lived in the same village and visited us at home every Sunday evening.

When I was young, he worked as a cobbler, repairing shoes at the local shoe shop. The workshop was fascinating to me full of interesting machines that I was not allowed to touch.

He was laid off work when the shoe repair business closed and subsequently worked for the village council in a work team doing whatever repairs were necessary to roads and other infrastructure.

He unfortunately died as a result of a perforated stomach ulcer in the mid 60's.

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Here is my sister Jane with young son James.

Jane was five years older than me, my big sister.

In this photo she is happily married and living in Canada. After she moved abroad we only met once again before her untimely death in a motor accident.

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Here, on the left, is my mother known as 'mum' or more formally as 'mother'. I do not know the person she is standing next to, presumably a friend.

This picture must date back to the late 20's early 30's.

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My father and mother, I would say in the late 30's before they were married. It looks like the photo was taken in the garden of my (paternal) grandfather, the vicarage in Middleton of what was then called Westmorland.

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From left to right, Uncle Alex Wallace, my mother's uncle and known to everyone in the family simply as Uncle Alex. He lived in Stockton-on-Tees and came to visit, but we also went over to visit from time to time, an exciting journey of several hours over the Pennines (hills).

This include going through Barnard Castle (Great fish and chip shop) and Darlington (stopping at 'Binns' for lunch). On the way home there was Kirkby Stephen (another good fish and chip shop).

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From the left is an unknown lady, my mother, her father my maternal grandfather. He was called 'Da'. Although he and my grandmother lived with us I do not remember him well. He died when I was too young to have memories of him although we must have interacted on a daily basis.

Next is 'Uncle Alex', then his wife we knew as 'Aunt Lizzie' and on the far right is my maternal grandmother, known as 'Gram'. I remember more about "Gram' as she lived for quite a while after "Da' passed.

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Here is my mum, aunt Ada and uncle Murray. Aunt Ada was a product of the roaring 20's though by the time I came along such fashion was no longer worn.

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My mother's wedding day, September 5th 1939. On the arm of a proud father - 'Da'. The wedding took place in the church of St. Andrew in Sedbergh as can be seen by the background as they are approaching the doorway to the church.

The church itself originates in the 11th century.

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Jane and I. By the time I was in my teens I had outgrown Jane and both my parents. The dog is a pekinese called Kim, my mother's dog. It used to hide under the sideboard in the drawing room.

The picture was taken in front of our home.

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It's summer time in England, hence the rug close to hand. Deck chair placed on the lawn - the front garden. I must have been about 14 at the time.

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Here is Jane, standing in the front porch. She must have been about sixteen, 50's fashion slipping into the early 60's.

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Here I am repainting the house during the summer school holidays. This would be early 60's. Yes, it is summertime, the window of the front room is open...

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It looks to be a chilly autumn day, taking our Labrador dog 'Cindy' for a walk. This is a view from near the "pepperpot" near what is known as Akay woods, once the home of a woll mill magnate but in ruins by my time. The ruins were intersting exploring and the old garden, long neglected sported many exotic trees. Also raspberry bushes which I always made a visit to in the summer months.

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Here is Jane with her boyfriend, soon to be her husband, Tony Mortimer. The picture was taken in the back lawn behind our house. Tony was in the RAF although he re-entered civilian life shortly after this.

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Ah, washing day. This used to be a joint effort by my mother and grandmother. I was employed to turn the 'mangle' to squeeze the water from the clothes before hanging out to dry.

Originally the washing was done in a 'Dolly' tub with a 'posser' to agitate the clothes. Water being supplied from a gas boiler in the outside shed. A major undertaking on Mondays.

Later my mother had an electric washing machine which eased the burden considerably, especiall after 'Gram' passed and Jane and I would be at school.

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Jane and I out with parents in the fells somewhere. I can't place the location.

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Jane with 'Kim'

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Wasn't Jane sweet? This muse be pre-me. The steps to the house are still new looking.

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My mother had quite a crop of hair. She must have been on an outing somewhere in the summer months.

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Jane standing in the front garden. Late teens - but notice the same skirt as in a previous photograph.

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A youngish version of my dad. I must have been cold although he is not wearing a hat.

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Mum and Dad by the side of the house.

The house was built on part of a farm field which was still used, especially in summertime for haymaking. There were hen houses and hens roaming in the grass. Also cows which resulted in the barbed wire you see at the top of the fence to stop them leaning over and eating her flowers.

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We must have been on a beach outing somewhere - probably Morecambe. Going to Morecambe was a big affair. Although relatively near by modern road and vehicle standards in those days it took quite a journey.

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The tide is in and I do not seem to be happy about it. Probably Morecambe sands.

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Jane and one of her friends at the beach.Looks like paddling only...

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Here are my paternal grandparents, Granny (on the right) and Gaffa as I knew them. The picture was taken in their garden at Middleton Vicarage, date unknown.

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Obviously during the WWII years. Location unknown. My mother looks quite young here - well she would be in her early twenties.

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My mother out on a winter excursion. I think the car seen here was a Morris 8, the eight being horsepower! I remember it quite well, even the registration plate number.

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Wow! Everyone looking so young. Left to right, my father (to be), mother (to be) and maternal grandmother. I an not sure where they are, it is not my mother's home before she married.

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I am not sure as to who this is. I always thought it was uncle Murray. The hat gives some kind of clue, is it a him as a postman?

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Here is Jane with uncle Murray. Looking at uncle Murray's face here it does resemble the man in the picture of a 'postman'.

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I always though this to be my father, but on closer inspection possibly not. The car looks to be a very early model, the union jack and RN (?) marking possibly something to do with WWII or even WWI. I do not recognise the location either.

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My father looking extremely young. My mother's fashion being the 30's?

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Here is Jane with my father alongside our home in Sedbergh.

After the war my dad said to me that he did not want a job managing people (probably fed up of managing soldiers). The village had a bus service operated by 'Ribble' busses. He became a conductor and this was how he met my mother, She did not like him at first, but things must have warmed...

He then became a bus driver. This suited him to be his own 'boss' at it were. There were four bus crews stationed in the village two crews alternating morning and afternoon shifts so he was not a regular 9 to 5'er. Shifts included weekend work too. This made his presence in our house rather irregular - but it was what we were used to.

In the 60's 'modernisation' introduced One Man Operated bus operation - they dropped all the conductors. My dad was on his own.

You can see he is displaying his Public Service Vehicle driver badge.

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My mum and Jane in the front garden of our house enjoying a moment.

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My mother with the original 'Major', my father's dog, on the pathway up to the fell 'Winder' which is behing the village.

Major used to accompany my father to the British Legion in the evenings and even enjoyed sampling the drinks available.

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Mother in the garden in front of her childhood home. These were 'council' houses built and rented out by the village council. When she married she moved into a house my grandparents had built and where Jane and I were born.

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This is Jane with my mother at the Vicarage in Middleton. To her right is mydad's younger brother's wife with my cousin on her knee. This must habe been mid fourties, husbands away at the war.

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Do we think our grandparents have fun? It looks like mine did. That is my grandfather 'Da' front and center, 'Gram' to his left, my mother to his right. The others I do not know.

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Right to left, aunt 'Ada', Jane, me, my mum, the man next to my mum I do not recognize, the man at far right is 'Da'.

Here is a good view of the family car, the Morris 8.

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Out at the front of Aunt Lizzie and Uncle Alex house in Norton-on-Tees we have their daughter in law, my mother, aunt Lizzie, Jane's friend and Jane.

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'Da' with my mother. My mother liked to ride on the back of a motor cycle. Many years later she rode behind me on my BSA 650cc twin.

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Cousins. Uncle Mark's boys on the left, Jane and I on the right.

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Lesley in a pose I have seen used by many girls....

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'Gram' is sitting in the car. The lady with her was some kind of aquaintance whose name I do not remember.

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Wedding day photograph. The start of a successful marriage.

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A young Jane next to 'Gram' and 'Da'. The man on the right was a friend of theirs who lived in Kirkby Stephen. All I remember was he looked after the hospital heating system.

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That could be me in the pram.

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The young family, me, my mum and Jane.

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Here is my cousin Hillary, my aunt Doreen's (my father's sister) daughter. She was much older than Jane and I.

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Sitting on the front steps of our family home is 'Gram', uncle Murray, 'Da', Jane and aunt Ada.

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Jane with three of her friends standing at the side of our house.

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An outing with my Father's brother's family. Uncle Mark had two boys and a girl. There is me on the far right, I do not remember where Jane was.

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Left to right: my mum, me, dad, aunt Lizzie, incle Alex, Jane and her friend.

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Yes, that's me...

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This must have been taken just after WWII ended. My father is wearing his 'conductor' uniform. I suppose this would have been taken while on one of his bus routes.

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Here is a mystery as to why this photo was in the family files. Out on the beach, fully clothed must be Edwardian or even earlier.

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Taken at the Middleton Vicarage, Major, my dad, uncle Murray, aunt Ada, Granny and my mum.

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In the garden of my grandparents home, younger 'Gram and Da' with their friends.

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Here is my dad on a motor bike. Did I mention my mother liked to ride on the back of motorbikes....

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I thought this was uncle Murray, but on closer inpection I'm not so sure.

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Yes, that's me on the left, 'Gram's friend, 'Gram', my mother, Jane and 'Da'.

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My mother, Jane, a distracted uncle Murray and aunt Ada.

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Jane perched on one of the many bridges around the village.

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Jand and our dad outside our neighnour's house.

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Uncle Murray and Jane.

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Here is my dad with one of the busses he drove. I don't know who the woman is but because of his travels and all the regular passengers he knew this is probably just a fun shot.

He would take a camera with him when he was out driving and would be known to stop for a good photo opportunity.

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This is aunt Ada, early years probably late 20's.

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No, it is not my mum in Paris, but the fashion looks very continental...

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Here is mother as a young girl. Could be a school photograph (see the number), so it is lete 20's.

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Me as a chubby, well looked after boy.

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Here I am in my pram and fancy hat outside the garage doors at home.

Unfortunately I can not read what is printed on the hat :-(

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Uncle Mark and family, my mum and me sitting on the bridge wall.S

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This looks to be a posed photo of uncle Murray and aunt Ada.

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A portrait picture of my mum and dad with Jane. My father is wearing army uniform so this must have been around 1945.

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A school photograph of me so I was around 9 years old...

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Gaffa with Granny.

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My father is sitting in the passenger seat, my mother behind him and Jane is perched on the back. I have no memory of who the other family is.

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This was taken at aunt Lizzie and uncle Alex wedding anniversary, somewhere beyong 'golden' but I do not remember which.

My mother is second from the left, uncle Alex and aunt Lizzie center and Jane is third from the right in the back row.

Missing from the photo for reasons I do not remember is cousin Neil (their grandson), my father and of course me!

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Here is one of the Ribble busses my father used to negotiate the narrow roads and bridges around Sedbergh.

I am sure many a tourist got a surprise on meeting one of these in a narrow lane. Guess who would have to reverse...

The driver I see through the window is not my father but one of the other driver crew.

The bridge is just outside the village on the road to Hawes.

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This must have beeb taken in the late 50's, one of the older style of busses with a separate driver cab and thus a driver/conductor crew.

His regular conductor was Fred Dixon who is wearing a cap. They are in Ribble summer uniform and I believe the picture was taken actuall in Hawes.

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I would be about 10 years old here. We only got to have a school uniform in the last years of primary school.

The dog was called 'Tiny', because he was when he was small. He would go everywhere with me on my wanderings over the fells and around the village. Tiny was Major's successor.

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Here is granddad (Gaffa) on the left. He is in his late years here, his wife having passed years before. He stayed with our family for a while before moving into a facility for the clergy in Grange over sands.

Then there is Jane, my mum, cousin Hillary, aunt Doreen and Tony Mortimer.

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My mother and father with Jane on the front lawn.

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Wintertime and the bus service must get through!

My dad on the left with Fred Dixon his regular conductor on the right.

There was only one year I remember that the bus service had to stop, 1963, when we never got to school.

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Gaffa with an extremely wide clerical collar, with Granny beside him on his left. I have no idea who the other two ladies were.

The background suggests this was taken outside Middleton Vicarage.

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Here is Jane and myself by the seaside somewhere. I cannot tell the exact location.

Nor can I tell who is the adult asleep behind the car - possibly uncle Murray.

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On the left is 'Da' and 'Gram'. On the right I appear to be getting quite excited about something as is Jane, my mum being 'amused'.

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Granny and Gaffa with a woman I do not know.

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Here is a family portrait...

Left to right, my mother looking very smart, Jane, my father behind her holding me, Granny, Gaffa, uncle Mark, his wife and family. This would be 1949/1950.

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Out for a picknic and knitting. Aunt Ada and my mother.

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Uncle Murray in motor cycle garb, then 'Gram', my mother is a very flashy coat, 'Da' and aunt Ada.

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It seems that if you went camping in the 30's you really took a tent. Here is my mother holding a ball behind her mother and father.

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As a child I was usually covered in dirt and grime. No exception here. Look how clean Jane is.

Of course I have my bucket...

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This was supposed to have been a picture of Jane after she had joined the church choir. Somehow her grubby little brother seems to have got into the picture.

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Jane is standing holding hands with Granny outside the garage doors at home.

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Me sitting on the steps at home with Tiny and Kim.

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My mum and her father leaving the new home for her wedding. 1939.

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My mother giving suspicious glances at something to her right. Date and place unknown.

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I don't look very happy here holding my father's hand. I can not place the woman though she does look familiar. Nor can I remember what we would all be doing out there in the countryside somewhere.

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My dad in army days. Nice steel tipped boots...

I get the feeling he was lying next to someone. I wonder who.

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Uncle Murray with Jane in the early 60's. The gate you see next to them was taken down shortly after this. I presume its purpose was to keep Jane and I from wandering down to the roadway. We may get run over by a horse more likey that a car at that time.

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I wish I could rememberwho that lady on the left was and what relation, if any. Grandmother Jane and I out somewhere...

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Judging by the length of the skirts this must be early 50's? Two lovely ladies with that grubby imp, me, between them.

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Back by the seaside again, probably 1949. From left to right:-
Jane, our mother, the man I do not recognise, Uncle Alex at the back, "Gram" in front of him, aunt Lizzie in front of her, 'Da' and aunt Ada. In front is cousin Neil, uncle Murray and little me.

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Do you remember those horrible crinkly bathing costumes?

From the left, a friend of Jane, me, cousin Neil and Jane.

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It looks like Morecambe beach, my mother, me and a bunch of girls.

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Probably on the sands of Morecambe, Jane and I are being watched by aunt Ada.

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Back on the beach, Jane, mother and Dylis Evans, a schoolfriend of Jane. Me in the front.

If you are wondering why I look a bit odd, I had a broken arm in a sling under my jacket. The arm injury a result of falling off our garden gate backwards.

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Soldier dad with my mum, standing at the side of our house.