Ready Steady Baby!

Sarah-Jane Houghton c1950

In January 1944 Rita wrote:

'Secundus is kicking hard and making me feel sick.  I'm wondering if this portends to anything!  Mr. H. came yesterday and went into full details of exactly what Mummie is to do if labour comes on, despite her obvious distaste for the job!  Sarah-Jane walks about in fear and trembling, announcing that she'll "die" if the baby comes whilst I'm here!'

Sarah-Jane was a cherished member of the family and had looked after Rita's mother when she was a child, then Rita, and was now caring for a third generation.  She was born in 1889, in Clerkenwell, and was the eldest of a family of 9 children.

Later in life Rosemary recorded her memories of Sarah-Jane:

'Stories of her own childhood revolved around the lives of her younger siblings, most of whom she had helped to bring up, and her mother. She and some of the older children walked miles to school on the days they were able to attend, but it was an interrupted schooling. She was well-spoken, with a gentle soft little voice, and had a good general knowledge, even proudly trotting out the one French phrase she knew: "Will you take my arm?" which came out as "Villy voo accept mon pra?" (She knew she hadn't got it right and would smile at herself as she said it.) She had entered service with Rita's grandmother, Eliza Sutton, at the age of 13. When she was in her early twenties, she was asked to go to help Rita's mother during her pregnancy, and she never left. She worked extremely hard, doing all of the physical chores in the house, but was always cheerful. On her day off each week she would usually meet her younger sister, Maud, who was as round and rosy as Sarah-Jane was thin and wiry. They were very fond of each other.'

Sarah-Jane died at the age of 92 with her occupation recorded as 'Mother's Help (retired) Spinster'.  One of her last wishes was to have her ashes scattered over the graves of Rita's grandmother and mother.