Every picture tells a story, they say. I am still looking through some of things that belonged to my late mother, who died in December.

She spent her life in many parts of the world as my dad was in the Royal Air Force. There are pictures that will remind us of various stages of life. Her time in Italy, just after the war. A time of devastation where ruined buildings were not merely the tourist attractions of Rome, but the results of allied bombings, and very little food available even for those related to the allies. 

Then there were pictures of Singapore, our family home in the times of the Chinese riots of the 1950's.

Turn the pages of the albums and discover scenes in Germany at the height of the cold war. Then, Aden as we kept a vigilant eye out for the terrorist bombs and sniper bullets in 1966/67. International hot spots wherever we went, and though Mum was heavily involved in the rescue of others in London during the blitz of world war 2, it was always good to know that since the war there was a haven to return to in the United Kingdom.  Or was there??

Turning from the albums, we see a photo placed in such a position that she could always see it in her usual seat. It was the picture of her sister, Winnie.

Winnie never married. Her life was devoted to caring for her mother untill Gran died. Her young adult life was taken up with being in leadership in the guides, or what Americans call Girl Scouts. She continued to have a deep concern for others till her final days of life.

She lived in Bigginhill, Kent. The scene often historically associated with the Battle of Britain in the second world war, but in peace time no one expected anything dramatic in life to happen. Good to know that living on her own she was safe from harm, or was she?

These media reports at the time tell a different story of aunt Winnie, otherwise known as Miss Winnifred Hill:

http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/news/677389.0/

court report

http://www.courtnewsuk.co.uk/online_archive/?name=stanger&place=downham&courts=24

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Sequel to this can be found at:

http://open.salon.com/blog/jonmagee/2010/06/02/it_was_murder_part_2_the_london_bombing_connection

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For those who wish to read more of my writings, the details of my book can be seen in the link to the left. See the cover design below.