This photo would have been taken in early 1945. My father was in the Royal Air Force during World War II. My mother left the Air Force to have me and was most likely working as a dressmaker in my home town of Torquay.....................and you can bet your boots she made that stylish dress with the Peter Pan collar just for me!
Notice I was wearing the famous Clark's sandals even at that young age. I remember having them in brown, navy and a deep red, with the non-slip crepe rubber sole.......just like every other British child. I think I continued wearing them until age ten as they were standard issue for kids, then finally put my foot down - no pun intended - and begged for grown-up footwear!
Have to say though, they were very comfortable.
The wall we are sitting on is still there and is a favorite spot to have a photo taken along the seafront promenade.This is the only photo I seem to have of myself with both my parents when I was very young. I'm guessing it was due to it being wartime.
Visit Deborah, our hostess, at Pictures, Pots & Pens today, just know there are other great family photos to see.
Visit Deborah, our hostess, at Pictures, Pots & Pens today, just know there are other great family photos to see.
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Oh Mary, how precious! To see you at this very young age just makes me smile. I love the way you are looking at your Mum. Have you sat is that very spot to have you picture taken? I don't think I've seen a picture of your father before now. He looks like such a happy man.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this and I do hope you will have more for future Fridays!
xoxoxo,
Deborah
Love that picture. You have your mother's eyes. I wear Clarks shoes now. They make the most comfortable, long lasting shoes. I esp. love the sandals.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Susan
Mary,
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful photo. And a very familiar landmark! As kids we spent so much time balancing on those walls.
adore family pics...and this is a precious one indeed. thanks for sharing it with us.
ReplyDeletehave a wonderful day.
Hi!
ReplyDeleteGreat Photo! You all look so happy!! Have a great day!!
Sherrie
What a great picture! I will have to find out if we have any photos of my grandfather in his uniform from WWII.He was so handsome, so I can just imagine what he would have looked like in uniform!!
ReplyDeleteOh Mary, you sure have a treasure trove of amazing family photos! I'm sure I'm not the first person to tell you how much you look like your lovely mom.
ReplyDeleteLovely blog, and beautiful picture ! You look so much like your mum ! I enjoy your blog very much - I was born in Birmingham, but moved to the USA when I was small. My parents never lost their British accents though, and always spoke about "Back Home".....
ReplyDeleteSo precious Mary.
ReplyDeleteI'm on Hubby's computer for a few more minutes and wanted to say hi. Love your Foto Friday & those Clarks.
Claudie
oxo
Awwww. Look at you!! How adorable! Thank you for sharing another wonderful old photograph.
ReplyDeleteLynn
What a great picture! Don't all men handsome in their uniforms!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
Angela
This picture looks as though it was taken for a magazine. I love your shoes. I had some similar ones when I was a child.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful memory.I have none with me and both my parents.I guess noone ever thought about it,huh?...Ann
ReplyDeleteAh, you have your mum's smile.
ReplyDeleteLovely photo.
What a beautiful photo with such beautiful memories! Thanks for sharing:)
ReplyDeleteNow that is a fantastic photo. Thanks for sharing it with us.
ReplyDeleteTeresa
Hi Mary, it seems I just do not get any visiting done until late at night. My cousin is here and now our daughter with our grands Ashley and Logan. They arrived today. Would you believe we are going to the Biltmore again tomorrow. Pink Sat. of all days. I'll never get caught up with my visits. LOL.
ReplyDeleteYour photo today is such a treasure. I love that your dad is in uniform and you are looking at your mom so intently. Your dress is adorable, and your mom is very attractive. You all look so happy.
You favor her.
It will be 8 degrees tonight again. Brrr. I know it is cold in Raleigh too. The cold put our power out for half a day.. That put me way behind my visits.
I am going to say goodnight dear Mary,
Love...Jeanne
This is a very special photo...and a lovely one. And somewhat bittersweet too. Isn't it interesting to see family resemblances in peoples' faces? I'm always looking for them whenever I see families together. I think I see some of both your parents in your face.
ReplyDeleteSo...I did not know Clarks have been around for so long! Don't think I ever had them as a child, but I certainly do now...
What a fabulous photo! My Ex-husband is from England, I lived there for a few years as well. We would visit his Aunt and Uncle who lived in Torquay.
ReplyDeleteGina
I really enjoy your blog! My parents met during WWII also. My father was a bomber pilot in the RAF and my mom was a nurse in London. They came to the U.S. after the war where I was born. I also live in North Carolina! Keep up your interesting blog.
ReplyDeleteMary D.
Thank you for stopping by Mary D. My mum was a plotter under ground - if you've seen WW2 movies you may have seen those women plotting the enemy planes as they crossed the Channel - the map boards were mounted on the walls and they used long cues to move the planes picked up on radar - no computers in those days! She loved the airforce life even in wartime - only left because she was expecting me!
ReplyDeleteDo you still have family in England, and do you ever visit?
What a wonderful picture. That is priceless. I loveeeeeee Clark shoes. That is all I will buy. Mine are a lot bigger than these you have on in the picture. LOL.
ReplyDeleteNancy
I have to comment :) this is priceless!
ReplyDeleteWow that bit of Torquay has not changed! What a wonderful snap,Mary ;-)
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful photo. You look so sweet and your parents so happy! Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteHugs ~
Heidi