was my Grandma. I like to say that I got my love of Coronation Street from her as she was English.
Her Story
On June 1, 1903, Gladys Marion Compton was born to Charles Compton, a cabinet maker and Susannah Winter, a home maker, in the town of Ripon, Yorkshire, England. She was their 5th child – having 3 older brothers and 1 sister. She was christened in St. Mary’s Church.
What could have been the first of many changes in her life, her father left England and landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia on April 13, 1913. Gladys was not even 10 years old yet. And it was not until July 3, 1914 that she arrived on the Empress of Britain with her brothers, Charles and Harold. She would have to wait 2 years to be reunited with her Mother, who arrived with her sister-in-law and nephew 2 years later on June 24th, 1916.
The family settled into a little house at 496 Ashdale, Toronto. I believe this is my Grandmother and her Mom (my Great-Grandmother) in the backyard of the house.
Sadly, her life changed when on November 26th, 1916, the family received word that her older brother, Harold had been Killed in Action. They barely had time to recover from that when only a few months later, on April 4, 1917, her other brother, Charles had also been Killed in Action. The family learned of Charles death, when a reporter called the house for a reaction to loosing 2 sons. How hard it must have been knowing that her only other brother, Percy was also still in the War fighting for England. But then on her 16th birthday – June 3, 1919, her oldest and only surviving brother, Percy arrived in Canada from England. The family settled down and life continued on.
I have to wonder if my Grandmother ever got to meet with her Aunt Lizzie Compton, who had moved to Canada and lived in Toronto as well. She is the older half-sister of Charles and I had no mention of her before I was contacted by her Great-Granddaughter a few years ago.
Sometime in late 1919, she met a young man named Gordon Elliott Rutledge. And although I have not yet been able to confirm a date, they married sometime in 1920/21. Here is what I believe to be her getting ready to get married, with her sister, Mary
and a photo of the young couple:
Together, they had 2 children — Verna (in 1923) and Bob (in 1925). Here is a photo of my Auntie Verna and Uncle Bob and Grandpa.
It was some time after that they packed up and with her parents, her sister & family and I believe her brother, they moved to Burnaby, BC.
It was here that they settle down and had, my Father and my Uncle Doug.
At one point, I know that she had a major flash back in her life, when her oldest son, Bob joined the Air Force. I know that probably terrified her, but she supported her son as you can see the pride in her face in this picture of her and my Uncle Bob
But life continued on, her children married and made her a Grandma many times over. I think to her family was very important. As I was just a little over 4 years old when she passed, so I don’t have very many memories of her,I do know that my sister spent time with her and has some wonderful memories. But I do have this:
Me & My Grandma
And while I know that some will find this strange, I find great comfort in going up to Ocean View, sitting down and having a talk with her, it brings me peace. She is buried close to her Mother and her brother Percy, so I know she is not alone.
And you know, the love for a Mother never fades as my Dad still has this picture beside his bed:
