My mother's maiden name was Joyce HADLEY.

 

My mother, Joyce, was born on 26 January 1923, to James and Louisa Hadley of 26, Arlington Street, Stockton on Tees.

 

Joyce’s parents James Hadley and Louisa Bulmer had married on 17 August 1914 shortly after the outbreak of the First World War.

 

James, or Jim as he was usually known, had volunteered for active service as soon as war was declared, so a special licence was obtained and the young couple - he was twenty-two and one year older than his bride - were married at the Parish Church, with the witnesses being Walter Hadley, Jim’s father, and Alice Bulmer, Louisa’s mother (her father William Bulmer had died previously).

 

On the marriage certificate Jim and Louisa (or Lily as she was generally known) were stated as residing at 10, Smith Street, Stockton on Tees.

 

Joyce had an older sister Lily, and three years later during the General Strike of 1926 would acquire a younger brother, Jim. Her father must have been particularly pleased when Jim was born as he had always wanted a son.

 

Joyce’s father had served in the trenches of the First World War as a member of the Royal Field Artillery. After the war he became a labourer at one of the engineering works that dominated the local skyline and this was his occupation when Joyce was born in 1923. Later he would become a fitter.

 

Joyce would grow up to work in a printers, in a sweet shop and as a cinema usherette.

 

When war came she was conscripted to work in a munitions factory - she was an Aycliffe Angel at ROF 59 at Newton aycliffe and then moved to Swinnerton in Staffordshire.

 

Joyce was found to have TB and spent time in Seaham Sanitiorium.

 

In 1945 she met my father Frank Peagam and on 6 October 1945 Joyce Hadley became Joyce Peagam.