Margaret Jane Pollard (27 Sep 1923 - 26 Mar 2015)

In loving memory of the late Margaret Jane Pollard who sadly passed away on 26th March 2015.

On 27th September 1923 in Hongmddry in Scotland George and Olive Young had a baby daughter who they named Margaret. They lived in a cottage opposite a small hill where her grandmother hung the washing. Her earliest memory was of being frightened by a frog which jumped from the well where they collected their drinking water. Her parents then had 2 more children and Margaret became older sister to George known as 'Dod' and Robert known as 'Bob'.
By this time the family had moved to Clyde road in Addiscombe which is the same road that her great grandchildren live in now. Margaret said she had a happy childhood and loved to play marbles, spinning top, hide & seek and skipping. Margaret's job before she was allowed to play with her friends was to clean the brass door handles. She loved the radio and songs by bing Crosby. She remembered her dad taking her to perry como, the local cinema on a Saturday afternoon because she looked after her brothers while her mum and dad met at the pub in the evening. At school she enjoyed English and netball and at 14 had further studies typing and English shorthand. She left school at 16 and found a job in London in Debenham's and Freebody's in Oxford street as a bookeeper. At 18 she was called up to work in munitions and met Jack Pollard who also collected Bing Crosby records. He took Margaret to the cinema and then dancing at the Lacarno in Streatham. Jack proposed and on 20th July 1946 which was jacks mums birthday, they were wed. They honeymooned in Clacton on sea in Essex. They moved into rented rooms in Croydon and after 8 years had Carol and 6 year later had Sharon.
The families happiest memories are of holidays at Walton on the naze with it's sandy beaches and amusements on the pier. To Margaret, family was everything and she was never happier than playing with her grandchildren Matthew, Simon an Laura when they were little and her great grandchildren Elli and danny.

Margaret wrote in a little book about her life and her last entries were:

'I have no regrets. I have had an interesting life. Good parents and my lovely family.

The best piece of advice I can leave you with is to be true to yourself and help those who need help (where possible) and always tell the truth.'