Naughty Nina: Eposide One
Nina worked in the same place as Arthur (Offley). They had an affair, the result of which was little Muriel Edith. Born 27 May 1913 at Handsworth, Birmingham. Her birth was registered on 8 July 1913 - nearly six weeks after the birth. This registration shows Nina Edmed as the mother. It also indicates that they were both present when the birth was registered. It does not show Nina Edmed formerly anything (on my BC it shows Mother as Muriel Mèrcia XXXXXXX, formerly Payne).
So I think that Arthur then probably gradually receded into the background - never to be seen again (the cad), and illegitimacy - being what it was in those days - had to be hidden.
At this point Nina had to move to where she wasn't known and invent a poor "dead" husband Arthur Payne and with that of course the illegitimate daughter's details had to be the same, to save poor (?) old Nina's dignity.
So in effect Muriel Edith became Muriel Mèrcia. A new employer (sugar daddy) was found and the scam had to continue. He (whoever he was), clearly didn't want another man's child around so was quite happy to pay for her to go away to a school that would fit in with his standard of life. I think perhaps he did indeed live in or perhaps own New Place in Stratford. The daughter, who's poor Daddy died in the war (the subterfuge story) spent her holidays there and went (perhaps) to America on one of these holidays, when still only a toddler, with mama Nina and sugar daddy!
Then the daughter (my Mum) grows up meets a dashing army Cavalry Captain (true), but falls in love with his groom. Now Nina's daughter needs a birth certificate to be able to marry - Oh disaster.....
What is Nina to do now?
The daughter grows up meets a dashing army Cavalry Captain (true), but falls in love with his groom. Now daughter needs a birth certificate to be able to marry - Oh disaster - What is Nina to do now -? I think she pretended indignation that her daughter was marrying beneath herself and that if she went ahead with it she would be cut off for ever. Read more...