Eleanor (Nellie) Baker was born on the 21st of July 1913 at 57 Lingard Street, Nechells, to George Baker of Henley in Arden who was born 26th July 1857 and Annie Baker (nee Marshall) born 25th October 1857. Nellie had two brothers George and Frank and two sisters Florence and Alice.
Nellie met Albert Cartwright and on the 28th of October 1939 they got married. Nellie and Albert had one child, a Son,‘Brian Cartwright’ was born on the 19th of August 1940.
Sadly the marriage only lasted 10 years and Albert left home. By this time Nellie was working at Newton’s on Nechells Green and it was there she met Ivy Pickering and the two of them became good friends, they had many a gossip while her lad played with one of Ivy’s children Betty. Fifty years later Betty gave me a copy of a photo of Nellie and myself with Ivy’s children (above), the picture turned out to be the only one in existence of Nellie.
Nellie was not blessed with the best of health but she bore her pain with great dignity.
Nellie and myself were inseparable and when she was taken into Hospital I sneaked through a window to see her. It was lucky I did for she died that night and it was the last time I was to see my Mother.
I am proud to be her lad; I have never forgotton her nor the love she gave to me.
Nellie died on the 20th of May 1953 at the tender age of 40, she is buried at Witton Cemetery with her Mom Annie and her Dad George beside her.