GG and Tom on the Isle of Man
After getting married in 1918 (Edith was just 19) she and Tom Greenfield lived in Barnsley, Yorkshire until 1930 when they moved to the Isle of Man, largely for the sake of Tom’s health – he had been wounded in the lung in the early part of the Great War. The wound did not heal properly, and was not relieved effectively until modern antibiotics were developed. Tom became the Water Engineer for Douglas Corporation and they both entered into the Manx way of life with enthusiasm, regarding it as their adopted country for the rest of their lives.
The family of Edith and Tom, Rose, Margaret, Helen and David lived in Douglas; a rented house at 26 Cronkbourne Road called ‘Greylands’. There was a cat named ‘Kelly’, a small rear garden with an apple tree, and a swing for the grandchildren.
Music was all-important to Tom and Edith. They had first met in Beaufort South Wales, and ability in music had been a defining element in the social life there. Tom was an fiddle player and Edith a pianist.
The story she told was that she had not been permitted by her Father, the Vicar of the church, to ‘walk out’ with Tom until he had played for her parents. After hearing him play, he confirmed that Tom, being indeed a fine player, could henceforth pay court to Edith and their relationship was duly cemented.
They were always keen to pass the musical interest onto their children and the picture at the top of the page shows them posing for the studio photograph which was always displayed on the Greylands family piano. Each has their assigned instrument. Helen, a pianist, is shown looking over the group at a seated Edith and David.
Holidays brought the family across the Irish Sea for many years from Liverpool in the “Isle of Man Steam Packet” Boats. Sometimes the whole family could be together for a memorable photograph that we could have copies of for our own albums at home.
Here in 1958, in rows from left to right and from back to front, Tom, David (Greenfield), Edith, Margaret (Love), Ro (Powell), John (Powell), Helen (Clover). David (Clover), Richard (Powell), Mike (Love), Elizabeth (Love), Pam (Powell), Sue (Clover).
The Greenfields 