My mother's family

At least, part of it. My maternal Grandmother, Emma Neal (nee Billingsley) with four of her eight children.

Standing at the back next to her mother is Beatrice Adelaide ("Billie"), born 14 August 1908, in Malaya (?).
Seated are, left to right, MY MOTHER, Vera Kathleen, born 8 May 1914 at 65, Thornbury Road, Handsworth, and was registered in June 1914. Baptized on 20 November 1915 at St. Mary, Kulala Lumpur, Malaya. Next to her is Edna Dorothy ("Dolly"), born 27 March 1904, in Malaya (?). The young boy at right is Clement Roger ("Dick"), born April-September 1913, in Malaya (?) My mother was the youngest in the family. I also came across an old letter amongst all the amazing family history documents that were shipped over to Canada from England to me last year, describing the incident, written by my Aunt Billie (standing at the back in this photo). Seems so strange looking at this photo, knowing that Billie and I used to keep in contact for so many years, writing letters (as I didn't live in England after the age of 22), and I always used to send her photos of my kids as they grew. Missed her greatly when she died.

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. My Grandmother used to sit and have tea sometimes with the murderess's mother : )

viweb.freehosting.net/proudlock.htm

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethel_Proudlock_case