Edith was my grandmother. She was born in Oldham in 1907 and died, in 2012, still living in Oldham. She was born 'out of wedlock' at a time this was looked on in shame, and lived in the poor parts of Oldham. As a young girl she raised money for 'socks for the troops' by entering talent competitions.
Her parents did marry, but her father suffered through war injuries and had no work. In 1921 he was killed whilst digging for coal on Oldham Edge. The incident was seen by his wife and children, including Edith. Edith was already working at 14 years old. She had to help with her two younger sisters, even taking them to have breakfast at the local Salvation Army.
Edith married young and brought up her five children through the depression and Second World War. An ordinary Oldham lady, representative of an extraordinary Oldham life.
Do you know someone extraordinary. Why not tell their story?