Clara Guy was my grandfather’s mother and my father and aunt never spoke kindly of her. However, I am seeing her in a whole new light and I must say I am full of admiration for her.

She married Robert William Hooker at a very young age and proceeded to bear at least 12 children , 3 of whom died in infancy.My grandfather was the first of her children. (Details are on www.tribalpages.com/tribes/storial ).

Her husband died on Christmas Day 1901 at the age of 43, leaving her with 11 children and expecting her 12th, born in May 1902.

How she managed I don’t know – I don’t think  my grandfather would have been much help as he left home before he was 18 to join the Royal Marines.

In the 1911 census, Clara is the head of a household which included her 3rd child Charles, his wife and their child, and 3 of her own children – so I think her main  support must have been her son Charles. This connection seems to have lasted for the rest of her life.

Interestingly, Charles is the forbear of my contact Sam who has given me so much information – and she has personal memories/family stories of this side of the family.  I think her family had a much better opinion of Clara and I can see why.  It makes me wonder why Clara was not popular with my father and his siblings, I have a sneaking suspicion she might have been a bit strict for them, but I am just guessing.

Anyway, from this distance in time, my hat goes off to Clara.