Home Leave

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Winnie, her life in Kenya.

Barnoldwick to - where?

Leaving England

First Impressions

Eldoret

Kisumu

Trip to England

Parties and Picnics

Home Leave

War Years - the last years in Kisumu

Nairobi

Post Script

Winnie's Cook Book

Early 1938, it was time to plan another home leave. The family sailed for England, following the usual route through the Suez Canal. The children were now old enough to enjoy the social life of a British India Steam ship. The well-equipped playroom was patronized and the children particularly enjoyed the deck games. Whilst in tropical waters, an ice cream was served mid-morning to passengers on deck and once through the Mediterranean Sea, the mid-morning drink was a hot beef tea. The antics of the Gully-Gully man at Port Said was looked forward to and on this trip the ship also called in at Malta. Docking in Valletta, the passengers went ashore, traveling in a lift to the higher level of the town. A lift was a new experience for the Hewitt children and they were equally fascinated by the "oldness" of the streets, where women sat in their doorways making lace, working with their lace bobbins on pillows. The ship also called at Marseilles, but on this occasion the children were left on board. It was an evening stop and passengers went ashore to experience the often-seedy nightlife of this famous port.

Once settled into Winnie's parent's home, Frank arranged for Marjorie to attend the local Primary School, as he was anxious she should not miss any schooling because of the trip - a view not shared by Marjorie, who began to dislike school.

The children stayed on with their grandparents whilst Frank and Winnie took a well-earned holiday. Peter, having difficulty with his English, could not make his Grandmother understand that he couldn't have a drink of water direct from the tap. For some mysterious reason, she could not understand Ki-swahili and the way of life in Kenya. In particular she did not appreciate the fact that water for drinking had to be boiled and then filtered in the stoneware filter! Kenneth was also in strife. He had the habit of shedding his socks and shoes and doing jigsaws in a doorway. He stood on a sewing needle, which went right through his foot, the eye one side and the point the other! (Grandmother was still a tailoress). Quick action from Grandpa soon had the needle out with no serious consequence.

Granny Hewitt enjoyed the opportunity of spoiling her grandchildren whilst they were in England and had a particular treat for Marjorie, who was now eight. The cinema in Barnoldswick was showing the film "Hiedi" with Shirley Temple in the title role. This was the first time Marjorie had been to a cinema and only the best seats, the front dress circle, were considered. The lights dimmed and the program started with a Disney cartoon, a film Marjorie was familiar with as Disney cartoons were special treats at Christmas parties in Kisumu. "Hiedi" opened showing the mountain home of Hiedi's grandfather, who was chopping wood and sharpening knives. Marjorie's vivid imagination convinced her that Hiedi, who was walking up the hill to see her Grandfather, was going to be chopped up. A very embarrassed Granny had to remove her hysterical granddaughter from the cinema without seeing any more of the film!

Frank and Winnie's families were expanding. Winnie's two sisters, Mollie and Connie were both married. Connie had moved away from the district whilst Mollie and her family remained in Barnoldswick. Winnie spent as much time as possible with Mollie and Connie. During the summer, Frank's younger brother Bert, was married to Lillian, the celebration being a large family affair and Marjorie was a bridesmaid. An older brother, John, and his family were living in Cromer.

Whilst in Barnoldswick, Winnie was able to renew acquaintances with her old friends in particular, Ethel Nuttall. Ethel owned a successful business, specializing in lingerie and baby wear. Entering the shop, (Ethel lived behind the shop), one was overcome by the special lingering smell of silk and fine cottons. Stock was not displayed as in stores today. Instead, only one or two garments, often a corset, would be on display, the rest of the stock was kept in labeled brown boxes with brass corners, stacked on the shelves. Special items of delicacy were in lined lavender drawers under the counter. To open one of the drawers was like opening Pandora's box. Folds of tissue would reveal delicate silk underwear trimmed with lace. Other drawers hid baby jackets of the finest knit and tiny leather booties.

England was still celebrating the crowning of a new King and Queen. King George VI, with his consort, Queen Elizabeth toured Yorkshire that summer and Colne was included in the itinerary. Frank and Winnie, with their children stood for hours waiting for the open car to drive past. It was a warm summer's day and the crowd, waving small Union Jack flags made the Royal couple very welcome. The children had hoped the two Princesses would be with the King and Queen and were disappointed as the car drove past.

The celebrations were short lived, as there was the threat of a war. The Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain was anxious to avoid war at all costs and he traveled to Germany to meet Hitler. Frank and Winnie did not want to be caught up in England and hastily made preparations to return to Kenya, when all citizens were issued with gas masks, cutting short their stay. They again shopped in Manchester and included the purchase of a complete set of etched glassware from Woolworths, each glass costing six pence.

They left Barnoldswick to take the boat from Tilbury. This was the last time Winnie was to see her mother.

On arrival at Mombasa, Frank and Winnie were disappointed to find they had to spend some weeks in Mombasa before returning to Kisumu. They had a suite of rooms in the Rex Hotel, a modern Hotel, painted white and each room had a ceiling fan. It was very hot and humid and the children became restless, wanting to be home with their own things around them. Winnie found she could not tolerate the humidity and most of the time did not feel well. She had sciatica in her left shoulder and arm and had heat treatment. This consisted of her sitting with her arm and shoulder inside a wooden box. The heat came from a row of electric light bulbs. In the Mombasa heat, this was most uncomfortable.

They were greatly relieved when they could return to Kisumu and settled once again in the house they had left some months before. Their stay in this house was short lived and they moved to a larger wood and corrugated galvanized steel house on stilts, near the European Hospital. Winnie was loaned a paraffin oil operated refrigerator, a great step forward from the water filled gourds.