Comments on: Doris Halsall, Civil Servant & Despatch Rider

By: Mrs Joy Dalziel

Mrs Joy Dalziel — Tue, 28 Feb 2017 08:55:50 +0000

I loved reading this story, Doris is a very inspirational lady. I have had a lovely life but sometimes wish I had been more confidant and adventurous. I have a wonderful husband who I love very much, four brilliant children and three lovely, bright Grandchildren xx

By: Sue Fielding

Sue Fielding — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 21:09:56 +0000

This is by far one of my favourite life stories you have posted. It is such an interesting article. How tough life must have been for that generation and yet we whinge at the slightest misfortune today.
I have recently come into contact with a 95 yr old lady who joined the Army and have been delighted in listening to her stories albeit some very sad but it makes you realise how much people went through, their bravery and courage to over see hard times.
I would love to hear more articles like this. Many thanks and Best Wishes

By: Susan

Susan — Fri, 30 Dec 2016 10:52:29 +0000

I so enjoyed reading about Doris. A lovely post with lovely photos.

By: Carrie Kitkat

Carrie Kitkat — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 11:57:51 +0000

What a lovely post, so insightful and a fine historical record of an amazing and beautiful lady. Thank you. X

By: Geraldine Moyle

Geraldine Moyle — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 05:54:33 +0000

My deepest thanks to Doris for sharing her story ~ & to the GA for spreading it around the world to California. Benisons to you both.

By: martin

martin — Wed, 28 Dec 2016 05:47:33 +0000

Love ya Doris, all the best for 2017.

By: Delia Folkard

Delia Folkard — Tue, 27 Dec 2016 23:42:37 +0000

Yet again, I’m completely overwhelmed by another amazing story of one of our unsung heroines. I just love hearing the tales of of gritty, hard working people like Doris. Hopefully someone is documenting them on film for posterity as I wished I had done with my father’s wartime escapades. Methinks there is a possible Spitalfields Life book in the making? Thanks again GA – history via your blog has been much more interesting than it ever was at school for me.

By: pauline taylor

pauline taylor — Tue, 27 Dec 2016 22:47:39 +0000

What an attractive lady, I love the photo of her showing off her knickers at Corton !!

By: Kate

Kate — Tue, 27 Dec 2016 19:43:31 +0000

I can’t tell you how much I enjoy these posts, women like Doris are my heroines.

By: Gary Gillman

Gary Gillman — Tue, 27 Dec 2016 15:38:48 +0000

An inspiring story, these people are great models for our times. They were tough, they didn’t complain, made the best of what they had. The fact that she learned a different way to speak is admirable, not because one way is “better” than another, but in her time it made a difference and clearly she benefitted from the lessons, she indeed sought and achieved better than the straightened circumstances of her youth. (Her obvious intelligence helped, too).

Her reference to elocution reminded me of Ray Davies’ line in his song Muswell Hillbillies c. 1970 that they tried to teach us “elocution” but he remained a Muswell hillbilly nonetheless, out of loyalty to his east end origins. Fair enough, but Ray was one in a million… Anyway he doesn’t speak like that now. 🙂

Gary