Florrie's rhymes - 4th Dec 2016

Born on Sept 5th 1916 in the small village of Dolgarrog, North Wales, Flo was only 7 when her Mum died aged just 43. The untimely death resulted in Flo’s Dad, William, moving the family back to Appleton in Oxfordshire, an area from which the family originated and went back many generations. A year after the family moved, the Water Reservoir above Dolgarrog burst its banks and the flood that followed destroyed the bungalow where the family had lived, leaving them with a sense in which their mother's death had saved the rest of the family.

Upon their return to Appleton, the 8 children were dispersed to local relatives, and Flo spent the first few years living at Pond Farm with her Grandparents Sarah and George ‘Cocker’ Lay. During this time, Flo enjoyed spending time with the farm’s three giant cart horses Blossom, Prince and Colonel, and visiting her brothers and sisters, and uncles and aunties who were dispersed across the whole village. Flo’s Dad soon remarried, and she was able to spent the rest of her childhood living with her Dad and her new step Mum on Netherton Road, Appleton. Flo had fond memories of this period, and would often recall her Dad coming into her room in his nightshirt whenever there was thunder and lightning, a duty continued by her daughter Joy in her later years.

Flo’s first job, aged 14, was when she went into service at the local Appleton Manor, during which time she lived in a small attic room that looked over the cemetery of St Laurence’s; the church at which should would be married a few years later. Flo moved on to work at St Helen’s girls’ school, then Reading Boy’s school. It was while in service that Flo met Nance Dunford. They became good friends, and it was through her friendship with Nance that Flo’s life would change forever. Having spotted a photo of Nance’s brother Ern, Flo was immediately smitten and within months Flo and Ern were dating, enjoying trips to the cinema in Oxford, and later Ern would frequently cycle to Reading from Swindon and back in a day so that they could spend time together. In 1937, Ern was working ‘inside’ the Swindon Railway Works and Flo would sometimes make the 50 mile round trip from Appleton on her bicycle to visit her husband-to-be in his lunch break.

In 1938 Flo and Ern married at St Laurence Church, Appleton and immediately moved into their own new abode at Herschell Crescent, Oxford. The couple were only in Oxford for a short time. In 1939, they moved in with Ern’s mother at 6 Iffley Road, Swindon, a decision most likely prompted by the outbreak of war and the passing of Ern’s father.

In 1940 Ern was called up to fight in WWII and was sent to India, and Flo would not see her husband for the next four years. It is evident from the diaries that Ern kept that the young couple would write to each other several times a week over the four year period. Whilst Ern was serving in India, Flo worked nightshifts in the Garrard’s factory in Swindon, which was at this point making munitions for the war effort. Letters from Ern to Flo during this period reveal that his thoughts were always concerned with Flo’s well-being regardless of the great distance between them, writing his concern regarding her having to cycle to and from work up the old canal track into town in the dark.

When the war was over Flo was soon reunited with the love of her life, and often recalled the moment that she received the letter confirming that Ern had landed at Liverpool docks and would be home soon.

The birth of their two children, Joy then Stephen, soon followed, and 1972 saw the arrival of their first grandchild, Kerry, closely followed by David, Chris then Liam.

1980 saw Flo and Ern enjoy a trip to Australia, where for three months they lived as ‘true Aussies’ thanks to the hospitality of the family of Ern’s late brother, Sid.

Sadly, 1991 saw the passing of Flo’s devoted husband and soulmate, Ern, and Flo lived on her own in Iffley Road for the following 13 years.

In 2005, Flo’s daughter, Joy, moved in with her. This meant that it was possible for Flo to remain in her beloved house in Iffley Road right up to her 100th birthday, an occasion that also marked her 77th anniversary of living in the house.

In December 2016 Flo moved into Edgehill care home, Swindon, where she was still bringing joy and light to her carers with her stories and rhymes.

As a keen knitter, Flo produced an estimated 400 teddies in the past few years which have been distributed to numerous charities and groups – some ending up as far afield as Australia and USA. She was still knitting past her 100th birthday.

On 27th December 2016, Florence Emily Dunford passed away. She is survived by a sister (Edie), two children (Joy and Stephen), four grandchildren (Kerry, David, Chris and Liam), and four great-grandchildren (Archie, Ted, Maisie and LuLu).

1921 Census

No.1 Bungalow, Dolgarrog

Name	Age	Relation	Birth Town	Occupation
William John West	43	Head	Birmingham, Warwickshire	Motor wagon driver, The Aluminium Corp, Dolgarrog Works
Alice Jane West	40	Wife	Cumnor, Berks	Home duties
William Geo West	18	Son	Appleton, Berks	Motor wagon driver's assistant, The Aluminium Corp, Dolgarrog Works
Winifred Gladys West	11	Daughter	Porthllwyd, Carnarvonshire	Full time education
Walter John West	10	Son	Porthllwyd, Carnarvonshire	Full time education
Richard Charles West	9	Son	Dolgarrog, Carnarvonshire	Full time education
Arthur James West	7	Son		Full time education
Alice Rosetta West	5	Daughter		Full time education
Florence Emily West	4	Daughter		Full time education
Edith May West	1	Daughter

1939 Register

107 Herschell Crescent, Bullingdon, Oxford

Name	Age	Relation	Birth Town	Occupation
Reginald E Dunford	26	Head	-	Metal finisher
Florence E Dunford	22	Wife		Housewife