Eva DUNHILL

Eva DUNHILL

Eva was born on July 24th, 1915.  Eva's father was William Denton DUNHILL and her mother was Lucy Mary WALKER.  Her maternal grandparents were <Unknown> and Hannah WALKER. She had three brothers and three sisters, named Frank, Harry, Gordon, Hilda, Lillian and May.  She died at the age of 83 on October 5th, 1998.

• General Notes

  By her son John
  
  Eva we think was born in a Property in the centre of Doncster in Corporation Street. Started school at 5yrs old at St James School probarbly at Hexthorpe.She left the same school at the age of 14yrs old. 1929 her first job was as assistant pastry maker to two old maids, she lasted only two days! Eva then went to work as a shop assistant at Wilsons General Drapers at Hexthorpe. She wokrd there for four years working from 9am to 9 pm, finishing on the wage of 14/- per wk ie 70p. 1933 Eva got a job working at Franklins the drapers in the Market Place Doncaster.Seeing her wages rise to 30/- per week or £1.50p. It is here that mum met Sydney, her future husband. His sister Dorothy worked in the same store.At some point Eva left Frankins and worked for the Co-op at Bently near Doncaster becoming the Manageress of the drapery  department. 1942 saw Eva in the ATS [ Army Transport Services],same as the present Queen, where she drove all manner of vehicles from Tanks to Officers cars. Eva had varios postings including Halifax, Chilwell Notts, and Slough the base there being in Twitchers lane.We visited that area in the 1980's. Eva and Syd were married in 1942 when they were both on leave, and based themselves living with Syds mum at 77 Custwoirth Lane Doncaster. Stephen was born in 1946, and I followed in 1948. We all moved to a brand new council house in 1950. apparantly the rent at the time was 9s 6d about 47p. per week. We got our first motor vehicle in 1958, a A35 Austin Van with rear seat conversion,no heater and certainly no radio or seat belts!! We got a TV BBC [BLACK AND WHITE] in 1962!! ITV came a few years later. Eva along with her sister May constantly attended night school, mainly for dress making and tailoring, but also jewellery,pottery and art appreciation. With dad being a excellent self taught joiner, we really did live in a do it yourself house hold! 

Details of Eva's family with Sydney WAGSTAFF