2. BACK TO CAPE TOWN
Cecil could not recall the detail, which gave rise to their decision to return to Cape Town and his return to Dent & Co but Mamie left first, with the baby, by train.
Initially she stayed with her parents but a problem arose with Bill’s health, which necessitated him being admitted to the Lady Buxton children’s hospital in Claremont – this proximity to his paternal grandparents’ home, albeit temporary, delighted Dora.
Mamie then moved in temporarily with her parents-in-law.
Cecil eventually arrived from Johannesburg in May 1939 with a cot, made by Gordon, in which, packed in hessian, were their worldly possessions.
He was assisted with the packing and transport to the Johannesburg station by Fausto Moni who was said to be “on the run” from Chicago and taking refuge with his older brother, Peter (the top man at Moni’s), who had given him a temporary job at the “Royal“ bottle store.
Cecil and Mamie moved into Atlanta Flats on Victoria Road, Bakoven and Cyril, Mamie’s older brother, used to lift Cecil to and from work at 84 Church Street. He adored Bill who had returned to perfect health.
One morning, Bill yelled out ”Mommy, come quickly and see all the chimneys.” This in fact turned out to be the HMS “Queen Mary” and “Queen Elizabeth” accompanied by other of the world’s largest British passenger ships full of troops – presumably Australian, British, New Zealand etc. – pulling in to Cape Town on their way to the Mediterranean/ North Africa war zone – never again would one see such a sight!
On 2 April 1940, arrived son number two: Robert Gordon (Bobby, later Bob) - never was he to give his mother a dull moment!
