J.M. Phillips
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Welcome to the world of Lamlash Street.
Lamlash is an upbeat book based on the memories of my Mum, Uncle and my first love. It is set in 1963, at the Elephant and Castle in a close-knit poor working-class community and a cockney way of life that has long since disappeared. WWII (only 18 years earlier), had deeply affected the adults in my family and consequently the decisions that they made that year, which changed our lives forever.
Lamlash captures the spirit of the community and the fun, in what should have been a time of terrible want, but somehow it was a time of much richness. We always had amazing Christmas parties, which is where the story begins. And although, my Uncle had been on the front line of major WWII battles and seen many friends lost, he was the kindest and nicest man I have ever known. Now, my Mum, raised by a Regimental Sergeant Major, was compelled to be the best in everything and that included both her clothes and also everyone within her sphere of influence!
But us children had the best time of all, with old bombsites for us to ride our bikes on, and of course being smart kids, we didn’t let a little thing like the rats spoil our fun. And then there was my Anthony, my first love, who changed me in ways I could not foresee.
Lamlash captures the spirit of the community and the fun, in what should have been a time of terrible want, but somehow it was a time of much richness. We always had amazing Christmas parties, which is where the story begins. And although, my Uncle had been on the front line of major WWII battles and seen many friends lost, he was the kindest and nicest man I have ever known. Now, my Mum, raised by a Regimental Sergeant Major, was compelled to be the best in everything and that included both her clothes and also everyone within her sphere of influence!
But us children had the best time of all, with old bombsites for us to ride our bikes on, and of course being smart kids, we didn’t let a little thing like the rats spoil our fun. And then there was my Anthony, my first love, who changed me in ways I could not foresee.
Cast of Characters
Jill
A 10-year-old on her journey from knowing it all to feeling that she knew nothing. She thought that she understood everything in her world until she met the love of her life and at the same time saw her family starting to fall apart.
Mum
The best dressed Blackberry picker, here she is pictured in her favourite dress. She was a lady who over-dressed for most occasions. However, she was also a highly intelligent woman, who was ambitious for her family and who in avertedly steered the family into unknown waters.
Mum
The best dressed Blackberry picker, here she is pictured in her favourite dress. She was a lady who over-dressed for most occasions. However, she was also a highly intelligent woman, who was ambitious for her family and who in avertedly steered the family into unknown waters.
Uncle
On the left, seen here with his brother. Uncle was the nicest man I have ever known. He was a Trimmer and Fireman in the Merchant Navy, and a very brave man . He was also my favourite as he was the only adult who did not tell me what to do!
Anthony
When Anthony touched my hand I got that warm feeling of being with the one person who knew me so well and who I could always trust. My Anthony is the front row on the far right… and I am the girl in the black and whited checked dress.
Anthony
My first love, he is on the front bottom row at the far-right hand side. I am in the black and white check dress.
Meet the Author
Jill started life in Lamlash street, moved on to Grammar school, got numerous ‘O’and ‘A’ levels and after a few years working in London in a solicitor’s office decided that she would emigrate to Canada. She spent 30 years working there as an Occupational Therapist and Hospital manager, and towards the end of her career when other people were slowing down their lives, she sped everything up. She divorced, moved to Edmonton for 3 years, and finished writing her Masters of Occupational Therapy thesis. On one of her many trips to see family in Bexleyheath, she was listening to her Uncles war stories and dreamed of writing a book about family life at Lamlash Street and WWII. When Uncle died suddenly, she decided it was to time to put this dream into action.
The most rewarding aspect of writing this book, has been the time spent with her mother talking about the early days and looking through the family photographs. It is in effect a celebration to a way of life long gone.
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