| Description | DOB: 10th December 1899, Wiltshire, England
DOD: Unknown
Grew up in a tumultuous household marked by alcoholism, violence, and poverty.
Frequently ill and confined to bed; began reading at age four.
Attended sacred heart convent school and later St Mary abbots school in Kensington.
Developed strong skills in literature, grammar, French, cooking, and arithmetic.
Began working young: house cleaning at age 14 for 2d and breakfast.
1916-1917: kitchen clerk at National Liberal Club, London.
1917: joined WAAC (Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps), later worked in clerical roles for the army.
Worked in Southern Rhodesia on an asbestos mine with her husband.
Returned to England in 1930s, struggling through the great depression; did charity work and food service jobs.
Eventually found stability with the Ministry of Labour.
Promoted to National Service Officer during WWII.
1946 onwards: Became Columnist “Mary Brown” for the Daily Mirror, writing for 17 years.
Married a South African soldier, Hugh, in 1919 (at age 19, falsely claimed 21).
Moved to Southern Rhodesia; had a daughter, Domini, in 1927.
Left her husband due to his alcoholism and returned to England with her daughter.
Passionate reader and writer from an early age.
Enjoyed literature, music (especially Gilbert and Sullivan), singing, and storytelling.
Took pride in domestic skills, sewing, and language learning (shorthand, French, typing).
Travelled widely during and after wartime; engaged in community and civil service.
Survived multiple bombings during the London Blitz, including a direct hit to her residence.
Experienced wartime deprivation, community camaraderie, and intense labour demands.
Published first personal reflection in 1946, which led to her writing career.
Observed dramatic social changes, post-war shifts in public spirit, and the progression of women’s roles in society.
Type-written memoir, produced with warmth, humour, and clarity.
Narration suggests a seasoned typist’s precision and a reflective, conversational tone.
Included recollections compiled later in life, possibly edited or refined post 1978.
1899, working-class girlhood, alcoholism, Sacred Heart Convent, WAAC, National Liberal Club, Women in war, domestic service, South Africa, Rhodesia, Blitz survivor, Ministry of Labour, employment history, Daily Mirror columnist, Mary Brown, resilience, post-war Britain, childhood trauma, female empowerment, autobiographical memory. |