This is a real life story, an autobiographical account of the incredible hardship of being born into the poorest of families and a life in the working class quarters of turn of the century Glasgow. It narrates in fine detail the struggles of Tommy as a child, then his life with Chrissie, as they triumph over the extreme poverty and grieve the loss of a daughter. In later years due to their business acumen they are able to provide support to the community and those less fortunate than themselves. Just how much a person can endure and maintain such determination and a positive outlook on life is truly inspirational.
Tommy commenced writing his memoirs on the 2nd of November 1981 (just before his 84th birthday) which was 3 years after the love of his life, Chrissie, passed away – aged 77. It continues until a few months before he passed away in Sydney, Australia in 1987 – aged 90.
The text narrates interesting experiences one after another, and considering Tommy's very limited formal education is amazingly detailed, coherent and insightful. He survived so many tough lessons in life and captivates the reader from the first sentence – right to the last word.
When I first read through my grandfather Tommy's memoirs I found myself imagining being immersed in the situations and reliving those experiences he describes and I suggest to readers they do the same. This memoir provides a unique and evocative window into the social fabric of the industrial, urban life. It weaves a captivating and colourful narrative which is deeply personal and intuitively reveals the nature of people, a primary document of the times which uniquely evidences a social history of Glasgow and surrounds throughout a large part of the 20th century. It encompasses two World Wars, the Great Depression, the post war era of the 50s and the diaspora of families which characterised the 60s and beyond.
This is a precious jewel of a document, one to be treasured accordingly
Enjoy reading this inspirational account of the life of a Glaswegian person born into poverty just before the turn of the 20th century.
Editor – Moira Henebery
