My name is Gillian Rogers; I was born in March 1953 to Father Jack Rogers and Mother Joan Margaret (nee Bethel). 

I got married in October 1973 to Brian Forrester at St Matthews Church in Duddeston.

Canon Thomas should have carried out the Wedding but because my Mother Joan (a Nurse) had done a bit of first aid on the Bishop of Aston at one time and he owed her a favour, my Wedding was actually officiated by the Bishop of Aston with Canon Thomas standing by, we were so proud (thanks Mom).

Brian and I were blessed with two children, Emma Jane born in April 1976 and Simon born in May 1978. Both of them were christened by Canon Thomas at St Matthews Church.

Emma married Jason Davie of Yardley, they have two Sons, Joshua Jason Davie born in June 1996 who was also Christened at St Matthews and Jack Harrison Davie born in November 2004 who was Christened at St Margaret’s Church in Ward End.

My maiden name was ‘Rogers’ my Mom ‘Joan Margaret Bethell and Dad ‘Jack Rogers’ married at St Matthews, Duddeston in March 1951.

Mom born in February 1932 came from Aston Road in Gosta Green and Dad come from Chesterfield in Derbyshire.

My Grandmother Violet and Grandfather Jack Bethell who married at St Lawrence Church in Dartmouth Street in August 1925 had another child as well as Joan, my uncle ‘Terence John Bethell’ was born in July 1938.

Violet and jack had a Florist Shop in Bloomsbury Street, Nechells.  Violet died in Feb 1997 and jack died 5 months later in July 1997.

Dad ‘Jack Rogers’ died in July 2003.

Mom at the time of writing is living in Ward End, Birmingham.  My Husband and I still live in the family home at Foxyards, Tipton.