03/06/2024
In The Beginning (At least for me!)
Apparently it was seriously cold outside the hospital in Bury Lancashire on that morning; 15th January 1940. However my Mam was thinking more about how she could gain some respite from the difficulty of childbirth. Something she had been experiencing for way too long!
Around 5.15 AM; it was over, as 5 lb 4 oz of joy was jettisoned forth into a cold world at war! However lungs were cleared and my first cry echoed around the delivery table. - Mother relieved and not without joy. Mam always testified that at the point of birth she saw the sandaled feet of Jesus by the delivery bed.
Of course I don’t remember anything about this momentous event, at least not personally, but its in the family history. Later, my parents Frank and Eva made it home in the freezing cold, finally arriving at their cottage on Blackford Brow proudly clutching their new addition. At leased I hope they were. Proud that is!
Back home fires were lit in the old cast iron fireplace, not without trepidation, as there was a fear that the old back boiler could be blocked with frozen water. Taking the situation in hand ‘Fearless Frank’ my dad, took the executive decision and lit a mighty fire of wood and coal.
Its in the folk lore that the conclusion could have been a mighty explosion! However in the event a loud rumbling and shaking of the system, then heat. No explosion! - My first escape and a warm parlour. - So it was in the beginning for Ronald James Brierley. Second son of Frank and Eva. - The adventure goes on.
Later; I was to learn that by the age of five, something like 75 - 80 million lives had been lost due to WW 2. Of course I was unaware of this cataclysmic disaster until much later.
Early Years
Generally speaking the war years following my birth are a very distant memory.
At 84; what memory remains is one of a mostly pleasant early learning experience but do I have a vague memory of being in a pram and for whatever reason, people who were not always familiar, had a scary habit of wanting to kiss me! One Ancient Aunt who had the biggest red lips and a scary smell could not be avoided. - But I'm still here.
Not sure if its here-say but once, a well wishing local girl after taking me out for a walk in my large pram ( of which I have a picture) ; on our return, left me on the sloping path towards the main Bury - Manchester Road.
The story goes that she left the brake off and I was last seen careering down the A58 in an out of control pram. Another close call and I'm still at pram control!.
All these years later I would like to think that I am seen as the mature senior member of our ever growing family. Come On! Nobody’s going to endorse that! Mature. You? You have to be kidding!
