Page 209 - Redditch People

Redditch People

EDDIE SMITH

Eddie was the first black baby to be born in Redditch and he rose
from an appalling background to become a counsellor and have
influential bearing on Redditch.

In 1944, a GI stationed in Redditch managed to get two sisters
pregnant at the same time. The mother who had Eddie decided that
she didn’t want him after all and left him on the doctor’s doorstep.
The story ends happily with Eddie adopted by a kind couple, Albert
and Amy Smith. Albert adored his little adopted son. Eddie remem-
bers one of the first times he appeared in public as a toddler, holding
Albert’s hand.

“On this one occasion, we were walking down the street and as
usual you had a mixture of people sitting around, mainly women,
when the one woman ran next door and brought her neighbour
out who did likewise. The chain reaction was stupendous. By the time we got halfway down the
street it seemed that all the residents were out. … I looked up at dad for support … and the
smile when he looked down at me was one of supreme pride.”

After eight years in the army he returned to Redditch and with his wife, Gail, he became a great
asset to the town. He was on the carnival committee and he helped to organise one of the largest
darts leagues in England,

KATH HARRIS

Kath was a much-loved teacher at Back Hill School in Ipsley Street
and ended as Head of Ipsley Street School.

She started teaching in 1916, in a time of Zeppelin raids and buses
propelled by gas bags and no refrigerators!

Her ancestors were among those who moved from the needle-mak-
ing town of Long Crendon to Redditch. Her father was a member of
the Worshipful Company of Needlemakers. She says that in her
young days, most of the needle-making was done at home as outwork.

Her social comments are fascinating. She remarks that most of the
people were earning much the same so there was very little envy.
About the new town, she says that in certain parts with no courts
or alleyways ‘mothers struggled wonderfully against tremendous odds to bring up their families
respectably – all that needed to go’.

© RLHS 2015 Page: 209