Author Archives: Ruiha Smalley

Catherine Weed Barnes Ward at Cobham c.1901

Posted on 14th June 2018 by Ruiha Smalley

Catherine Weed Barnes Ward (alternatively Catharine) was a pioneer in the field of women’s photography at the turn of the 20th century. She was born in Albany, New York, and later moved to England. She was a feminist of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Research | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Vince (aka Paul) Dale: memories of Ashenbank Camp

Posted on 12th June 2018 by Ruiha Smalley

I was born in Ealing Hospital on the 6th November 1942, during the blitz, I was too young to remember it but we were bombed out and had to move. My first memory is of being four years old (1946) … Continue reading →

Posted in Oral History | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Cottage life

Posted on 12th June 2018 by Ruiha Smalley

Now back at the cottage our life with the Bennets and Morriss’ went on. We had a huge walnut tree, it really belonged to Captain Bentley but it was our patch for the tap, which supplied all the water for … Continue reading →

Posted in Oral History | Tagged | Leave a comment

Life at Wilmar

Posted on 11th June 2018 by Ruiha Smalley

Now for my life living in Wilmar (1930).  (This was not the sort of house that we were used to and we were only there because my mother acted as caretaker when the family were abroad.) I can only tell … Continue reading →

Posted in Oral History | Tagged | Leave a comment

Poverty and home life

Posted on 8th June 2018 by Ruiha Smalley

Poor people seldom had the doctor, it was far too expensive and if they did call they were never too bothered.   We were all vaccinated when we were small they used to prick you three or four times on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Oral History | Tagged | 2 Comments