My appearance was not planned. World War 2 was in full swing, and my Father was serving in the Royal Artillery in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). My Mother Ruby was 43 and her daughter Amber was about to be married. Having been told by a doctor that she was unable to have any more children, Ruby did not connect morning nausea with the possibility of pregnancy. But it was so, for I was there, preparing for life, and even attending -- in utero -- my sister's wedding.
Conception in Ceylon, and birth, by Caesarian section, "On 9th July 1942, at Calcutta, to Ruby (nee Gordon), wife of Brigadier G.P.Thomas, O.B.E., R.A. --- a daughter."
On stage, beginners, please
Two weeks old, brother Stephen on guard duty.
On the left: my parents and me, on the right my brother Stephen, and 'Attie' my Mother's sister Ivy who travelled everywhere with the family like a built-in Nanny and was utterly devoted to all three children, whose arrivals were so spaced that we occupied her for more than 40 years.
I was christened on 4 October at St Peter's Church, Fort William, Calcutta by the Garrison Chaplain. It was a good try but it failed for, in spite of teenaged attempts at becoming religious, I became an atheist, or a Humanist if we want to be positive rather than negative. However the Christening party was clearly a happy affair and a chance to show off ones prettiest frock. I still have my Christening dress.
The lady in the hat is my Father's mother, I am held by Attie, and my Mother stands behind Stephen.
