Tragically Molly's brother Eric perished in the Gillingham Park Fete Tragedy of 1929. Twelve-year-old Eric was burned to death in a fire fighting demonstration that had gone horrifically wrong. Fifteen people perished that night including nine children. Molly, then six years old and her mother Elizabeth were present in the park that night and witnessed Eric's fate. Sadly it was Molly's screams of "Eric's burning, Eric's burning" that first alerted many to the tragedy unfolding before their eyes. Many at first had mistaken the fire as just part of the show. Eric's father Edward was not present at the fete. The family, unable to tell Molly the truth, at first told her that Eric was in hospital with his hands burnt. Sadly this was not the case. Eric perished in this fire and his heart broken family would never recover from this incident.
Molly's father Edward became very ill and died four years after Eric. Molly and her mother continued to live in the house on Watling Avenue for a few years following the deaths of Eric and Edward. Molly married Leslie Blomfield in 1946 following which they, along with her mother Elizabeth, would move to King's Lynn, Norfolk.
Molly and Leslie would have one child, a daughter, Hilary born in 1949.Hilary was born with Cerebral Pasly and in spite of her challenges would become a school teacher in Kings Lynn. In 1982 Molly's husband Leslie died. In 1985 Hiliary suddenly fell ill one day and sadly died the following day. Hilary had never married and did not have any children. Molly passed away shortly after her death.
Molly never forgot what she saw in the park the night her brother Eric perished. She had shown signs of the strain and heartbreak of this her entire life.
In spite of their sorrows Molly and Leslie were known to be the life and soul of family gatherings. They had spent many joyful Christmas days with their extended family. They are very much missed.
More information on the Gillingham fire may be found at www.firemanswedding.com
Tragically Molly's brother Eric perished in the Gillingham Park Fete Tragedy of 1929. Twelve-year-old Eric was burned to death in a fire fighting demonstration that had gone horrifically wrong. Fifteen people perished that night including nine children. Molly, then six years old and her mother Elizabeth were present in the park that night and witnessed Eric's fate. Sadly it was Molly's screams of "Eric's burning, Eric's burning" that first alerted many to the tragedy unfolding before their eyes. Many at first had mistaken the fire as just part of the show. Eric's father Edward was not present at the fete. The family, unable to tell Molly the truth, at first told her that Eric was in hospital with his hands burnt. Sadly this was not the case. Eric perished in this fire and his heart broken family would never recover from this incident.
Molly's father Edward became very ill and died four years after Eric. Molly and her mother continued to live in the house on Watling Avenue for a few years following the deaths of Eric and Edward. Molly married Leslie Blomfield in 1946 following which they, along with her mother Elizabeth, would move to King's Lynn, Norfolk.
Molly and Leslie would have one child, a daughter, Hilary born in 1949.Hilary was born with Cerebral Pasly and in spite of her challenges would become a school teacher in Kings Lynn. In 1982 Molly's husband Leslie died. In 1985 Hiliary suddenly fell ill one day and sadly died the following day. Hilary had never married and did not have any children. Molly passed away shortly after her death.
Molly never forgot what she saw in the park the night her brother Eric perished. She had shown signs of the strain and heartbreak of this her entire life.
In spite of their sorrows Molly and Leslie were known to be the life and soul of family gatherings. They had spent many joyful Christmas days with their extended family. They are very much missed.
More information on the Gillingham fire may be found at www.firemanswedding.com
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