Doris Hilda Ward born 5th November, 1926
During the War (WW2), Doris was evacuated to Dorset and on arrival her hair was cut short. This photograph was probably sent
to Mother and Father at 2 Braganza Street, London to show her new hair style. Doris enjoyed her time in Dorset and made lifelong friends.
Doris was born 5th November, 1926 at 2 New Street, Walworth, (later renamed Braganza Street). She was very ill at the age of seven, and things did not improved with her wellbeing for much of her life. When she was 21 she had Chickenpox and her Father had Shingles. Nevertheless, she was always cheerful, although she suffered with ill health all her life. She worked for The Church of England Children’s Society at the Old Town Hall in the Kennington Road, for many years. She ran the Sunday school and the Girl Guilds at St. Mary’s Newington and was in the choir. She was very much involved with the Church all her life. She knew June Leek from St. Mary’s choir, and when Doris’s parents, Alf and Hilda died, June moved to 64 De Laune Street and shared a flat with Doris.
Doris married June Leek’s Uncle, Arthur Lloyd Dodson, when she was 36 in 1961. When she walked up the aisle of St Mary’s church, she held an open hymn-book and sang with the overflowing congregation. She and Arthur then lived in Kennington Lane which was Duchy property. Later the Duchy offered them a ground floor flat on the west side of Kennington Lane, which was more convenient and pleasing than the east side. It was here that Princess Diana and Charles paid them an unexpected visit just before Christmas. Doris and Arthur had one Son and later she went to work at the Falkland Islands Chamber of Commerce, in Waterloo Place, initially to stuff envelopes for a few days. Thus she ended up working there for years. Because of this she was invited to the Queen’s Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, by that time Arthur needed a wheelchair, so there Son, born August 1963, also went to assist. Doris died shortly after her sister Joan.
This photograph was taken on 26th October, 1943 at a studio in the Walworth Road, London S.E.
Doris is in Guide uniform and Joan in
her Army uniform. This photograph was used as a Christmas and New Year card,
Best Wishes / from all at No 2. [Braganza Street].
/+\