I am a British citizen currently domiciled in Holland. For sometime I have been trying to acquire information about my mother, who died at the age of 88 in 2001. In the 1930s she was living with her mother and father in Shirley, near Croydon, South London, and around 1940, at the outbreak of the Second World War, she worked at the famous Croydon Airport. Subsequently she transferred to the top-secret airfield at Whitchurch near Bristol, which was used by VIPs such as Churchill, De Gaulle and celebrities like Bob Hope. She lived close by with her mother during the bombing of Bristol by the Luftwaffe. Until now I have been unable to obtain details of my mother's work at these sensitive locations. If anyone has any ideas I'd be grateful. My mother's name was Doreen Eileen Mary Cooper (born Willesden, London, 1st May 1913). My grandmother's name was Violet Blanche Cooper, nee Markham, (born St Pancras, London, May 1895/ died Paddington, London, March 1969). My grandfather, who served in the Royal Sussex Regiment in the First World War, was Maurice Patrick Cooper (born Willesden, London, 1889/died Croydon, South London, 1938).
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Need information about Doreen Eileen Mary Cooper 1913-2001
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1939
Cooper Household (2 People) 130 Fortfield Road , Bristol C.B., Gloucestershire, England
First name(s) Last name(s) DOB Sex Occupation Marital status Schedule Schedule Sub Number
Doris E M Cooper 01 May 1913 Female Telephonist (Air ?) Single 70 2
Violet B Cooper 04 May 1893 Female Unpaid Domestic Duties Widowed 70 1
if you want the image I would need your email
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Re: D.e.m. Cooper
Originally posted by Val wish Id never started View Post1939
Cooper Household (2 People) 130 Fortfield Road , Bristol C.B., Gloucestershire, England
First name(s) Last name(s) DOB Sex Occupation Marital status Schedule Schedule Sub Number
Doris E M Cooper 01 May 1913 Female Telephonist (Air ?) Single 70 2
Violet B Cooper 04 May 1893 Female Unpaid Domestic Duties Widowed 70 1
if you want the image I would need your email
What I would like to track down now is my mother's employment record at Whitchurch Airport, if it still exists. Fortfield Road was in the same area of the airport which is now a private flying club.
Best regards and again thanks, Andrew
Sorry Andrew but I have had to remove your e-mail address as our T&C's don't allow them to be posted for your security.You would need to send it to Val in a PM (Private Message) but I will do it for you this time.Last edited by Chrissie Smiff; 10-07-16, 18:45.
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Originally posted by Janet in Yorkshire View PostWell done, Val.
I think the 1939 entry is Air Ministry, so perhaps she was in the WAAFs, rather than a civilian.
Jay
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If she worked for the Air Ministry, I rather think that they would have decided what employment possibilities were open to her, even though she may have been given a range of jobs to choose from. Alternatively, a vacant post came up at a place she fancied, she applied and got the posting.
JayJanet in Yorkshire
Genealogists never die - they just swap places in the family tree
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I am puzzled. Whitchurch was not a highly secret airport at all because it was one of very few civil airports which still operated during the war.
I think Jay is right, your mother worked for the Air Ministry and was either sent to Whitchurch or was offered the opportunity and took it. Either way I don't think there will be much information on record.
OC
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It seems Doris was the name she was registered under...
Name: Doris E M Cooper
Mother's Maiden Name: Markham
Registration Year: 1913
Registration Quarter: Apr-May-Jun
Registration district: Willesden
Parishes for this Registration District: View Ecclesiastical Parishes associated with this Registration District
Inferred County: Middlesex
Volume: 3a
Page: 626
The 1939 information is from here http://search.findmypast.co.uk/searc.../1939-registerLast edited by larkspur; 11-07-16, 16:22.
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Name Violet Blanche Markham
Registration Year 1893
Registration Quarter Apr-May-Jun
Registration district Pancras
Inferred County London
Volume 1b
Page 19
Name Violet Blanch Markham
Record Type Baptism
Baptism Date 2 Jun 1895
Father's Name Philip Markham
Mother's Name Louisa Markham
Parish or Poor Law Union Christ Church, Albany Street
Borough Camden
Register Type Parish RegistersLast edited by larkspur; 11-07-16, 16:31.
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It seems Croydon ceased being a civilian airport.
"On the 30th August, Croydon reverted back to its original role of defending Britain from aerial attack. The civil airlines moved out and London Airport was now known as RAF Croydon, a fully operational frontline fighter airfield, forming part of 11 Group, Fighter Command."
May be why your mother moved to Whitchurch.
Last edited by larkspur; 11-07-16, 16:55.
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Andrew, If you still feel Croydon Airport is relevant, they do have a historical society:
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Info is on the site page.
Apologies - just realised this is a duplication
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D.e.m. Cooper
Originally posted by Olde Crone Holden View PostI am puzzled. Whitchurch was not a highly secret airport at all because it was one of very few civil airports which still operated during the war.
I think Jay is right, your mother worked for the Air Ministry and was either sent to Whitchurch or was offered the opportunity and took it. Either way I don't think there will be much information on record.
OC
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D.e.m.
Originally posted by Olde Crone Holden View PostI am puzzled. Whitchurch was not a highly secret airport at all because it was one of very few civil airports which still operated during the war.
I think Jay is right, your mother worked for the Air Ministry and was either sent to Whitchurch or was offered the opportunity and took it. Either way I don't think there will be much information on record.
OC
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Originally posted by Sue1 View PostAndrew, If you still feel Croydon Airport is relevant, they do have a historical society:
Looking for a local hookup? Whether you’re in a large city or a small town, there’s bound to be someone near you looking for the same thing. Lucky for you, there are now plenty of online sex finders to help you connect with potential partners in your area. Our Guide Continue Reading
Info is on the site page.
Apologies - just realised this is a duplication
Thanks. I tried the Croydon Historical Society some time ago, but, to use their own words, thay are "only interested in the celebrities that used to fly in there"........(!!). Unfortunately my mother was not a celebrity: merely someone who worked behind the scenes to make sure that celebrities had a safe landing.......... Andrew
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