My Mother's Story....

Doris, our mother, was born on January 25, 1920 in Concord, New Hampshire.

Her father’s name was Alfred Allard whom was 45 years old at the time of her birth. Alfred was born in Canada and resided in Concord, N.H. His occupation was a Brakeman for the railroads.

Doris’s mother was Mary Redhead (maiden name). She was born in England and gave birth to Doris when she was 32 years old.

Doris had an older sister, Grace and a younger brother Ray. They grew up in Concord N.H. Her father, Alfred owned much land in Concord, N.H., in which streets remain named “Allard Street” and other names which he gave them related to family members.

My mother told us of many stories of her family in growing up. Their struggles through the great depression; their father whom was nick named “Windy Allard” because he was always loud, yelling and quite a wild soul whom liked his times out and drinking. One thing said of him was that that he always believed of an education; they had to have an education. I never knew him, though I did know my Grandmother and remember her. Mary and Alfred divorced. My mother lost contact with her father, but I can barely remember my mother telling me about her learning of his death.

My grandmother, Mary remarried to a man named “Hebert Knowlton”. I remember visiting them in Roxbury Mass. They lived in a high rise across the street from the Franklin Park Zoo, which I had been taken a few times. I remember their apartment quite well and going there for dinner from time to time. Herbert was a nice, quiet, thin and tall man and he was “old”, I remember. I remember dinners were always tasty that my grandmother would make. A mixed vegetable was always served and I’ve never enjoyed such a dish since my grandmother’s.

My grandmother painted oil paints. We had many of these framed pictures in our home as did other family members. They were quite nice and it did appear she was talented. There are some of these paintings still about.

My mother’s grandmother, (my great-grandmother), my mother love her. They had a very close relationship. It is said that she was very religious and could only read the bible on Sundays. She made my mother, when she was little, a little red cape which she cherished. When “Doris’s” grandmother became very ill and bedridden in their home, Doris would go and sit beside her in silence, not knowing what to say, but wanting to remain by her side. She just adored her.

My mother moved with her family to Raymond, NH, where she graduated from Raymond H.S. in 1937 of a class of 13. It is said that she read every book in the Raymond library. After graduation, she worked at a golf course as a waitress. Jobs were very scarce. She always spoke of her “little brother Ray”; she loved him dearly and always protected him. He was a shy, timid boy, whom he overcame but still she always watched over him.

Her relationship with her sister Grace was not close, nor even good. Though there were times throughout their lives there were some good times. When my mother and father were dating, it was my father who introduced Grace to a friend of his in the service, which in time, she married.

Three years after graduating from high school, on March 4, 1939, Doris and William married. It was after their marriage, that the great depression came and World War II. Their first child was born about a year after they married. A daughter named Lois Elaine. This child was born with heart defects, which my mother was unaware. The doctors informed my father only and my mother was never told. Lois Elaine died when she was 3 weeks old.

My father was drafted into the service of which he had already served and he went over seas. He was stationed in Hawaii for awhile. These were very difficult times.