Irene’s story

 From the evil of bombing came joy

Irene Lapworth was born in the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Hospital in London.

It is now the unison building on Euston Road.

She was the third daughter born to salvationist parents.

Her father was Harold Lapworth who fought in the first world war survived and relisted in 1918. He was a Private in the Navy , A marine , And wasin the trenches for the war and saw action in the Somme and Tripoli. After the war, when he re-enlisted, he joined the artillery.

Irene moved with her family to Essex when she was 2. At a time when Essex was the countryside.

Her mum played the piano. My mum taught me the piano. It seems that Irene also could not sing, but they did.

Irene’s mum died when she was sick. She died in childbirth.. They returned to London to a loving and caring grandmother. But sadly, her sister, her eldest sister to became very ill and the doctor advised to move back to Essex. After a series of unsatisfactory housekeepers her dad tried to go out alone, but when she was nine, he remarried. Irene’s life was not happy and a new family for her dad and his second wife soon came along.

Or in the school at 14 and went into domestic Service to get away. At 17 the nursing home in which she was working had a direct bomb hit. She and a colleague were buried under rubble for 36 hours. While she was thankful to be alive when she came out, she had absolutely nothing. No home, no possessions no job no family home to return to. Seeking another job, she applied to an agency who sent her to Camberwell district nurses home. She had an ambition to be a nurse, but have been constantly told she had not the brain nor the education. Coming up to her 18th birthday the matron asked her what she was going to do with her life and she said she wanted to be a nurse but did not have the brain nor the education.

Matron responded nonsense. It was good as the next and the desire is there..

Irene was assigned to commence duty at the hospital in Suson from which later she commence training very very happy. She did correspondence classes during war years and loved every moment of general fever in mid with retraining. Nobody was more surprised than her though when she gained a certificates

Irene came to Dartford in 1953 where she met Babs , Who became my aunt Babs. Years of happiness followed. My aunt’s Irene and babs lived together for 50 years. 

Irene believes that meeting Babs was the Lord’s guidance.

was sent to Camberwell for her second part of midwifery and receive such joy from the staff from my having qualified.

With the Lord strength she overcame all things