Dorothy from Hythe in Kent Book

Yougest of nine children, Dorothy was raised by parents determined their seven daughters would be educated. Her father left home at 15 to join the Army. After moving to the School of Musketry at Hythe, he became Sergeant Instructor and later Steward of the Officer's Mess. The family lived near Hythe beach and Romney Marsh and experienced the First World War's impact on the small town. As a child, Dorothy reported two spies she saw near a Martello Tower. Her life story includes historically interesting detail of Teacher Training College in London after experience as a Pupil Teacher. When trained, she taught first in Hythe and then (1920s) on the biggest Council Estate in Europe at Becontree, Essex. Her daughter, Ruth I Johns, tells her mother's story after marriage to writer, Gilbert O Thomas. This gives readers insight into the social mobility changes which expected her to conform to Middle Class 'norms' like giving birth in a nursing home. Her skills were myriad, including helping with Gilbert's proof correcting and Indexing of his books; entertaining visitors to his well-known model railway at Teignmouth, South Devon; taking in evacuees in World War Two; and, growing vegetables and managing a large house single-handed with two young children to care for ...At 75, she finally returned to the classroom as a volunteer teacher and loved it.Read More