George Spenceley recalls his childhood memories of Middlesbrough and how his large family coped with life in World War II and with the happy and sad events of family life.

My sister Edna married Arthur Allport when he returned from the war, after serving a number of years as a prisoner of war in Germany.

When Mam died during childbirth, Edna, my oldest sister, took on the responsibility of taking care of the rest of the family, aged twenty-three and just after having her own baby.

Edna was one of the very few that could turn her hand to anything taking in her stride the upbringing of four of us plus Dad and her own baby Ann.

She excelled at cooking and baking, which she taught the rest of the family to do, for our futures. I for one have never regretted being taught how to cook the family's meals, along with the odd cake or two. A nice chocolate cake was the favourite cake for our two lads.

Edna made dresses and clothes for the girls and trousers for me. Embroidery and china painting were among many of her talents.

My sister Emily

My sister Emily's boyfriend Leslie Crouse, lived up the avenue a few doors from us in Middlesbrough. Leslie went into the army and they intended to marry when he returned from the service. However one night on her return home from an evening out, she collapsed and died. I have never found out the reason for her death.

My Brother Ron

Ref 20-My Sister Hilda

My sister Hilda was the next member of the family. She went to live with aunt Hilda (Mrs. Murtha) at Cargo Fleet. Their home on South Bank road was one of the last in the area to be converted from gaslights to the more modern lighting using electricity.

My sister Lena, of whom there is no photograph died in the second half of the 1940s after suffering for quite some time with the dreaded TB.

My sister Betty

My sister Elizabeth, or Betty as we called her, was two years older than me and died in 1994 she was married to Ray Craster in 1953.

Myself aged at 15

I joined the army in 1953 and served three years in the Royal Artillery.

Margaret Rose was a year younger than me and died at a very young age. I can still vaguely remember her.

I think my sister Olga and I were always closest as brother and sister and still are. As youngsters we went on errands together and often played together usually when one was in trouble the other one was very close by.

My sister Sylvia

My Sister Pauline

My sister Pauline lived and grew up with aunt Nellie, married to our Mam's brothers son, George Chillmaid.

Ann on her wedding day to Bill Thomas

George Spenceley, 2002