When Jack and Doris returned from Canada Doris went to live with her Auntie Annie and Uncle William Crowther, Annie being the sister of their mother Lucy Ellen.  Jack went to live with the Shaw family in Copley Village.  The head of the Shaw family was Walker Shaw and he had two children, Hilda and James.

Whist Walker Shaw was serving in the first war his wife was taken ill.  As she was illiterate her daughter Hilda wrote to the war office explaining that she was ill and not expected to survive but as the letter had been written by a child (Hilda could not have been more than 9 years old at the time) it was ignored.  When eventually Walker Shaw returned home his wife, Louise, had already died.  Walker Shaw later married Natalia Greenwood (sister of Lucy Ellen Schofield nee Greenwood) she was twelve years older than Walker Shaw and according to Hilda she and Natalia did not get on.  It was possibly a marriage of convenience as was common at the time giving a spinster a home and allowing the father to continue with his occupation having someone to look after his children.

Hilda was bright and intelligent and obtain a secretarial position at British Furtex in Luddendenfoot.  She eventually married Teddy Bottomley, a Director at British Furtex.

(At this time I have not found any close relationship between Teddy Bottomley and the Bottomleys in our immediate family tree but given time I may be able to find a connection)

The following information came to me directly from Hilda who was quite a formidable person and did not mince her words.  She told me that when she first got to know Teddy he was engaged to an attractive young lady at the tennis club and she could never understand why he married her and one day she said him  “I know you did not marry me for my looks, was it because you knew I would look after your money?” and he said “Yes”.

Hilda and Teddy emigrated to New Zealand in the late 1960’s.  They had everything very well planned.  They bought a new car at the correct time before emigrating so there would be no tax to pay and it would be beneficial to pay for the export rather than buy new in New Zealand,  Teddy had a great interest in cars but sold his beloved MG Sports car, which was his pride and joy, before going to New Zealand.  Hilda assessed everything in the home, giving away or selling everything she could buy cheaper in New Zealand and taking with them all items that would be expensive to replace on arrival.

Hilda returned to England on several occasions for a holiday and to see friends.  She always kept in touch with Doris and was an excellent friend to her.  They were very much like sisters even though there was no actual blood relationship.

When relating the death of Teddy in the New Zealand Hospital, Hilda told me how a wonderful young doctor came to her and gave her a big hug.  She then went on to say “I knew it would go on the bill but it was just what I needed at the time”

Hilda did not have good eyesight but she was a excellent embroiderer and was very much involved with the New Zealand Embroiderers Guild. This is an extract from an article written in Thread Magazine in April 1982

“Hilda has been described as “a very forthright lady” and indeed is known for her ability to speak her mind in public – no behind -the-scenes maneuvering for Hilda!- but her outstanding characteristic is an unfailing interest in and generous support and encouragement for the newer and younger member of our Guilds, and her constant concern for Guild standards and welfare

On her death she established The Hilda Bottomley Charitabe Trust with the following aims:  –

To promote health, accommodation / housing, education / training / research, environment / conservation, marae on reservation land, community development, emergency / disaster relief, social services, employment, religious activities, arts / culture / heritage, sport / recreation, care / protection of animals, international activities, economic development, fund-raising, people with disabilities, promotion of volunteering within New Zealand.

I am aware that The Royal New Zealand Foundation for the Blind has received a new vehicle and the Nelson Post Natal Depression Support Group has received $5000 from the trus