Photograph of Christobel Mary, by unknown studio, black and white gelatin print, Scotland, 1951

Black and white studio photograph of a young girl (Christobel). Her hair is tied back on both sides with ribbons. She has very curly hair and looks straight into the camera.

Given by Christobel Mary Spencer

Donor's note: "17a. Christobel Beauty Contest July 1951"
Nanette also met an American serviceman in the U.S. Navy named Marvyn ‘John’ Crim. She too became pregnant, only to find out that John was married and had left for the U.S. Upon hearing this news Kathleen, who remarried to a man named Donald Wilkinson, offered to send Nanette away and claim the baby as her own. Nanette refused and moved in with her mother (Kathleen) and Donald while she is pregnant. She gave birth to Christobel Mary on November 21st, 1947.
In 1947 the problems with the partition and independence grow worse. The government promised they would ensure all British citizens are given safe passage. Paulette (Daphne) had met and married Dickie Skull who was in banking, and shortly after they moved from Calcutta to London. Kathleen, Donald, Nanette and Christobel leave Calcutta and arrive safely in a refugee camp known as “Lintwhite Hostel” in Bridge of Wier, Refrewshite, Scotland.
Nanette meets Henry Gustav Samuels who had been sent to Lintwhite with his mother and his two brothers from Namur, Belgium as part of displaced persons organizations repatriating Europeans. Their father had died of tuberculosis in a German Prisoner of War Camp. Henry and Nanette marry September 19th, 2949 at St. Fillan’s Church Houston.

This collection of photographs and items come from generations of the de Flondor women. They tell the story of an English family in early 20th century India and their eventual migration back to Britain. Through these objects, a historical and personal account of this time period emerges.

B.46-2014