As we were planning a visit to the UK in 2008, I decided to see if I could find any family members still living there.  My grandparents left England in 1924 to come to Australia.  I knew my grandmother had a sister who had 2 children and I was lucky enough to find Millie. I wrote to her and we arranged to meet when we got down to Hassocks.

Millie welcomed us with open arms and introduced us to Ann and Lorna and their families. I have such fond memories of Millie; she was such a lovely little lady. We kept in touch when we returned to Australia and when I would ring for her birthday or Christmas she would always say “I can’t believe you are talking to me all the way from Australia”. My Mum was so happy that I had met her cousin who she had only heard about when she was a child living in the far South of Western Australia, she treasured a little duck that Millie had sent home with us for her. That little duck now sits in my entry and reminds me of Millie every time I look at it.

My grandmother’s name was Nellie Bertha and I was not aware that Millie’s second name was also Bertha. I wonder if she was named after my grandmother (as she would have been born a few months after my Nellie left for Australia), or if the name had been handed down through the family.

Brian and I send our condolences and love to Millie's family.