Reminiscence Group

The Story of Michael Murphy and Evelyn Victoria Jubilee Gerrard.

Evelyn Victoria Jubilee Gerrard was born in Kentish Town on 22nd June 1897, which was Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. Because she was the first baby girl born on the day, she was presented with a silver spoon. The first baby boy born on that date was presented with a fork, (he was born in Ireland).

When Evelyn was older she went to work in service in Ireland. It had always intrigued her to find out more about the boy Michael, who had been given the fork. She talked to the other maids in the big house about the story of the spoon and fork and mentioned Michael Murphy, and by chance one of the girls knew a Michael because of the presentation of the fork. He lived in Waterford.

On her day off Evelyn got on the carriage to Waterford. She walked along the quay and went in a tea shop and asked where Ordnagraine Road was. She found the street, knocked on the door and it was opened by a charming, handsome young man and it was love at first sight. They married a few months later but unfortunately World War I started and he was called-up. Michael left for France leaving Evelyn crying at the quayside.

Michael arrived on the Somme with his regiment. They fought many battles and he saw many friends killed and injured. He wrote letters to Evelyn describing the awful conditions, etc.,

Unbeknown to Michael, Evelyn was pregnant. Sadly Evelyn heard the news that Michael had been killed during a battle. He had been using his binoculars and these were stained with his blood. They were returned to Evelyn. She was so upset and desperate and because they had not had a chance to save up for the eventuality of the arrival of the baby, Evelyn was destined to a life of 'make do and mend'. Baby clothes were made out of old blankets. She died of a broken heart in poverty.

The baby grew up to be a healthy young man and hearing the sad circumstances of his parents, thought these items would be worthy of putting into a museum - which was how these treasures came to be found.

© 2003 Elaine, June, Marguerite & Patrick
Reminiscence Group, Bedford Museum