Emma Neal and babies, taken in 1914

This is my maternal Grandmother, Emma Neal (nee Billingsley) with two of her children. The tiny baby on the left is my mother (Vera Kathleen Neal) and that's her brother (C. Richard or Roger Neal) on her right. Needless to say, I shudder at the sight of all those furs! I know I have lots of information on my mother's family, but searching through it all will have to wait for a time when I am less busy - if that day ever comes, ha!

Emma Billingsley married George Frederick Neal at St. James, Edmonton, Middlesex, U.K, on 27th December 1890. His father was Edward Neal (? - 1900, buried in Yardley Cemetery?). They had at least 8 children:

1. George Edward ("Ted"), born 24th November 1891
2. Rowland Arthur ("Arthur", born 21st July 1898
3. Gordon Ernest, born 17th October 1901, in Malaya
4. Edna Dorothy ("Dolly"), born 27th March 1904, in Malaya
5. Leslie (?)
6. Beatrice Adelaide ("Billie"), born 14th August 1908, in Malaya
7. Clement Roger ("Dick"), born April-September 1913, in Malaya
8. Vera Kathleen (my mother), born 8th May 1914 in Handsworth at 65, Thornbury Road (baptized on 20th November 1915 at St. Mary's, Kuala Lumpur, Malaya). Died December 1998 in Birmingham, UK.

In the early 1920s, the family lived at 67, Bluff Road, Kuala Lumpur, Malaya. George Frederick Neal was Master at Arms, Federated Malay States Police Force.

There is a fascinating connection with William Somerset Maugham's short story, "The Letter", which was also made into a movie, starring Bette Davis. My maternal Grandfather was the person who examined the gun that was used in the real life shooting. This shooting incident caused a sensation in Malaya.

viweb.freehosting.net/proudlock.htm

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethel_Proudlock_case