On a chilly Thursday, 15th January 1920, Edward John Heath was born to his proud parents, Lillian and Edward Heath. He joined his two sisters, Lilian and Lydia, becoming their third and only son. A couple of years later, they were joined by Vera, who was to complete their family.
The Heaths lived in Borough, Bermondsey London.
Edward was to attend St Joseph's Catholic School in Bermondsey, London, between 1925 - 1939. Which still remains today, though it has changed somewhat. https://www.stjosephsgeorgerow.org/
Edwards' memories of that school weren't always fond ones, and one particular memory was the treatment the boys faced from the Nuns who ran the school. He remembers how the boys were often beaten with the cane and would then make the boys put their hands on a metal bar to cool them down and reduce the swelling. Thankfully, this isn't how the school is run today, but with kindness and warmth. The use of corporal punishment was banned across the UK as late as 2003.
Following school, Edward went on to work at The Savoy Hotel on The Strand as a bellboy, helping to move customers' cases to their bedrooms. He remained there until he was conscripted to join the Second World War at the young age of 19 years old.
When he was enlisted, he was assigned to the REME as he had learned some important mechanical skills that would benefit the battalion. Edward was then stationed in Egypt as a Desert Rat.
Edward didn't like to think about the war, as remembering those awful days was harrowing. He said that being in the desert was incredibly hot, filled with flies from the dead men and horses, and that to ensure their feet hardened to stop blisters, the soldiers would wee on their feet. Although we are unsure of the dates, Edward was also stationed in Italy for a while, fighting against the Italian regime.
Following the surrender of the enemy, he was chosen to work on the cleanup operation in both Germany and Belgium, which kept him away from home for the full duration of the war.
When Edward finally returned to London from the war, he was invited to a wedding where he was introduced to Gladys Wilton. They dated and fell in love and courted for a couple of years, when Edward proposed to Gladys, who, of course, said yes.
In 1947, Edward met and fell in love with Gladys Annie Wilton. They dated for about a year and married on 10th July 1948 at St. Saviour's Catholic Church, Lewisham, London. They were surrounded by Family and friends, celebrating their love and union.
During their marriage, Edward and Gladys lived together, moving to different towns within London before settling down at 69 Kingsdale Road, Plumstead.
Edward and Gladys were married for 49 years until Gladys passed away in October 1997, following Edward's debilitating stroke just two months before.
After their wedding, Edward and Gladys lived in Lewisham, where they immediately planned their future and family dreams. After a short time, they were expecting their first daughter, Ann, in April 1949, followed by Susan in 1951 and Jane in 1958.
Each of their children went on to marry and have their own families.
With seven grandchildren, and at the point of Gladys' passing, they also had three great-grandchildren, Elizabeth, Georgia, and Harry. Sadly, Edward never met his other great-grandchildren, Ryder, Dylan, Mia and Woody. They would have loved him as much as we did.
Edward was, on the whole, a fit man, if you can say that for someone who had smoked for most of his lifetime. Unfortunately, during his retirement, Edward suffered several angina attacks until a sudden heart attack during a drive down the M20 in Ashford. Edward and Gladys were on their way to visit their family in Ashford. Thankfully, Edward was able to pull over on the hard shoulder so Gladys could summon help for him. Shortly after a call to the emergency services, Edward was picked up and flown by Air Ambulance to the William Harvey Hospital, where he received emergency treatment, which saved his life.
A short time later, Edward was scheduled for a triple heart bypass and not before he was told to quit smoking and eating fatty food. The smoking wasn't too much of a challenge, but giving up the sausages, white bread and real butter for breakfast was a disappointment. Edward ensured that after the successful operation, he would walk and not drive from then on.
It was a couple of years after the big operation that Edward suffered a major stroke, which was pretty much life-changing for him, Gladys, and the whole family. He was rushed to Greenwich Hospital; however, too much time had passed for the blood clot drug to be administered to lessen the effects of the stroke. Edward was to spend the next 12 weeks in the hospital, receiving treatment and rehabilitation care. It was during this time that Gladys passed away suddenly. Even through this trauma, his amazing stoic nature kept him from breaking, even though he had lost the love of his life.
After Gladys' funeral, their daughters began making plans with Edward to move him down to Ashford and into a Nursing home, so they would be able to see if daily and keep him company and not feel lonely. After a long search and a lot of soul searching, they found the perfect home for Edward, which was close by and fitted his needs perfectly. A short time later, he moved to Singleton Nursing and Residential Home, where he stayed until he passed away with pneumonia on 18th May 2000
Ann Heath at 7 weeks old
On Tuesday, 5th April 1949, Gladys and Edward welcomed their first child, Ann Lilian Heath, who was to become their first of three daughters. Ann was born in Lewisham Hospital and returned to their home in Lewisham, London.
Baby Susan in 1951
On Monday, 15th December 1951, their second daughter, Susan Lydia Heath, was born at home in Tilson House, Brixton, London.
Jane building Sandcastles during the summer of 1966
Finally and completing their family, they welcomed their third daughter, Jane Elizabeth Heath, who was born on Saturday, 28th June 1958, at their new home at 16 Hollyhedge Bungalows in Blackheath, London. These were prefabs built to accommodate the thousands of families left homeless during the London Blitz during WWII.
Pre-war 1935 - 1939
Before England declared war in 1939, Edward had finished his education and was employed as a bellboy in The Savoy Hotel, London. He worked there until he was conscription into the army at the age of just 19 years old.
Second World War 1939 - 1945
Edward was conscripted and assigned to serve with the REME and also assigned to work in the desert in Egypt, and was one of the Desert Rats. He didn't like to discuss the war in detail, as it was a harrowing experience that he buried deep.
Whilst serving across these two regiments, Edward would find himself stationed in Italy and Egypt. He said that the death and destruction were awful, and the smell was indescribable.
Post War 1939 - 1985
Edward would return to London after the war effort. He had volunteered to stay behind after the surrender of the Germans to help with the cleanup. During this time, he would work his way through Germany, Belgium, and France. Finally returning home in 1946.
On his return, Edward would use his skills as an Engineer and, for many years working as a Typewriter Engineer, fixing and maintaining typewriters for many businesses in and around London. For those reading this who have never experienced using a proper typewriter, I urge you to find one and give it a bash, literally. These were big manual machines and would need a lot of care and attention to keep them working to their best!
From manual typewriters, along came the electric typewriter, which meant new skills needed to be learned. I can remember seeing one for the first time, and the speed at which you would be able to type was groundbreaking.
Edward remained in this career until his retirement in 1985 - a well-earned rest was needed.
Julie - I have so many memories of grandad. He was a gentleman, he was clever and smart, he was kind and generous and above all, he was very loved indeed.
As we grew up and would go out and about, unchaperoned, grandad would walk us to the bus stop, actually get on the bus with us and then make sure we knew how to get back to their house. He would make sure we had lunch money/dinner money and tucked the taxi fare home if we were to get lost. I can remember having sleepovers at Nan and Grandad's, and looking on with envy as he tucked into two slices of toast, butter so thick it left teeth marks and 3 hot, oily sausages. It always looked better than our the small selection boxes of cereal and toast.