Contents:
A Peripatetic Life, by Betty Constance Hungerford;
Hungerford Descendants: Awards, Part 4, by Pauline Tyrrell.
Editorial:
Personal stories afford a rich vein of historical insight as well as information, and HAFS has been the beneficiary of several – perhaps most notably Amy, published as a Supplement to this Journal (and available from the Secretary).
In this issue a story just as dramatic comes from the personal memoirs of Betty Constance Hungerford (née Bell) [H.9a.2b=], whose adventures in her young adult years cover truly fascinating times encompassing pre- and post-World War II England, colonial India and post-war Australia. We are deeply grateful to her son Nigel, who provided HAFS with the manuscript, and to him and others for a wonderful range of photographs to accompany her story.
Early in 2010, HAFS received from Robin (in England), Nigel (Camberwell, Victoria) and Judy (Crows Nest, NSW), “the sad news that Betty, our much-loved mother, passed away on 10 February 2010 at her Avon Park nursing home near Bath”. Their letter continues:
She had been living an uncomfortable life, confined to her bed or her chair by her osteoarthritis. She bore the difficulties and indignities with fortitude, patience and good-humour, engaging with the carers who grew very fond of her.
We will miss her greatly, as we’re sure you will, but she was ready to join Richard, having had a wonderfully fulfilling life around the world. She had many friends such as you who always gave her much pleasure in keeping in touch with over many years. Her many and varied experiences always entertained those she met and she was always unfailingly interested in others people’s lives.
Betty’s memorial service was held in Winsley Church, Bath on 27 February 2010.
The second article in this issue continues the series on Hungerford Awards with a fourth instalment, again prepared with attention to detail by Pauline Tyrrell. Members are encouraged to follow her example of such careful research!
This issue brings to a close two full decades of the HAFS Journal – in 1990, I for one had not expected to be still at this task now! Well done to all who have contributed articles, photographs and tables – and I am confident that more treasures are available to be shared.
by Charles Sherlock