“My Darling Elizabeth”
Cannock and District Soroptimists enjoyed an excellent talk this month by Mary Bodfish, an author and local historian. The name ‘Elizabeth’ refers to HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, born 4th August, 1900. The well researched presentation gave an insight into the early life of this much loved and popular royal. Elizabeth, daughter of the Earl of Strathmore, was born into the wealthy and privileged Bowes-Lyon family, and was brought up at a home in Hertfordshire as well as Glamis Castle in Scotland. She enjoyed a happy and secure childhood, among a large family of ten children – she was the ninth – who enjoyed many outdoor pursuits as well as looking after animals and pets. Elizabeth’s education was mostly restricted to that provided by governesses. Like many families their lives were changed with the start of the Great War when her brothers went to