Frederick Alexander - Between army service (1936-1941)

Following his service in the 2nd Essex Regiment in India, Frederick settled back in London in August 1936. In his later service he described his trade during this period as a 'Despatch Supervisor' (for 4 years) and 'Clerk'.

His parents lived 15 Hollingsworth St (N7) and it is likely here that he went to live initially.

On 18 September 1937 he married Valerie Adrienne Stretton when he was 28 and she only 17 years old.

In March 1938 daughter Diana Valerie was born (Middlesex Hospital)

In July 1939 daughter Janet Christine was born (19 Upper Brockley Rd, Deptford SE 4).

What followed was a sad story for the two girls, as Mum left home (the exact circumstances are unclear) and they were placed in the care of an aunt and later Bernados. It may be that Frederick had resumed his army career (August 1941) and was unable to care for them himself (war was taking place). He listed Valerie as Next of Kin for a time untill the marriage was disolved on 13 January 1947. Valerie then married Harold Raymond Slayton (Mar 1947) and they had 2 children before emigrating to Canada.

The two girls were later looked after by a Mrs Morrison of Douglas, Isle of Man (living 'Lynton', 12 Crosby Terrace in 1955). Here life became more normal and Mrs Morrison looked on the 2 as 'daughters'. It is not known how often Frederick visited them but he did spend some time stationed in the Isle of Man (1948/9) and we have this photo of the three of them.

Frederick later remarried (14 December 1950) Dorothy Proudfoot in Gibraltar, where he was serving. He was 41 and she 21 years. They had a son Andrew Keith on 23 April 1954.