Belinda Gummerson was the youngest of the 7 children of John Gummerson and Mary Ann Ward. She was the only child born in Liverpool for the others were all born in Ireland during the time her father served in various postings in the British Navy and the Custom and Excise Service.

We know that Belinda did well at her studies and worked as a school teacher before she married. Her experience served her well when she came to handle her eight children!

Belinda lived long enough to know and care for her many grandchildren, some directly as they lived so close to her and some through her active correspondence to those far away. At the left is a small reproduction of Belinda's picture that held pride of place in our home.

Alfred Edward Thomas Kerr was the second of the six children of James Kerr and Mary Jane Penny. A telegrapher with the British Railways, he lived at 109 Delamore Street, Kirkdale, Liverpool..  

When Alfred became the railway clerk at Aintree station, the family was somehow all fitted into the "Second Station House", a two story, semi-detached, cottage owned by the railway on the grounds of the Aintree train station just across the street from the racecourse where the famous Grand National steeple chase was run each year.

Alfred died in 1922 of mitral insufficiency and chronic emphysema. Sadly, none of his grandchildren had the chance to know him.

Alfred and Belinda had eight children, all but two of whom inherited the flaming red hair of their father - a fine looking brood. A family tale is that, when Alfred was to fetch all eight children in for their tea (i.e. dinner), he gathered in all the redheads he found. It was only after they were all tucking in that Belinda turned to spoon feed the littlest one he had deposited in the high chair by her side, and gave a startled cry "that's not MY baby!". It did have red hair, however.