Rae Jeanette Mary Desforges

Born 12/1/32 at 12, Coast Guard Station, Falmouth, her grandfather's house up Castle Drtive near the sea, where Alice stayed whilst giving birth. Father is Richard Louis Desforges, Lance Corp. 2nd Batt DCLI and date of registration is 17th Feb. Bobby moved out but she stayed with them (see hand EJD biog for addresses). PE holds copy of cert with note from her D15, stating they later moved to number 4, of which she took a later photo (front and back). The note implies she meant 4 Coastguard Station but it ought to be Bayview Crescent so check photo source later.

When Rae was about 11, at about the time of the school scholarship, Bobby married James Crombie-Anderson and Rae returned to her house at 51 Killigrew St. to help with the younger children from 1944-48. Her school reports from Falmouth High are held by PE as D21 (up to A- for English, Latin from C+ to B+ and Cookery B, but rather a lot of absences, although no lates). An essay and poems written during her school years, including some in response to the drowning of her stepfather (see Hands/jca) are held as D 32. Letter to her about her baptism 1949 D52. New Testament with Boslowick address D61.Letter to from Godfrey Winn addressed Dear Miss Andeson D53.

Bobbie moved her family into 1 Boslowick Close and it was here that Rae married Bernard William Eustice, on 5th June 1949. The day after he returned to Warminster Camp from which, a few days later, he set sail on Empire Trouper for Hong Kong. Bernard Paul was born here 7/1/50. D33 is a medical record of the first few weeks. D39 has a photo of Rev Faraday, who married them and dedicated Paul, along with her Sunday School teacher, Miss Lowry.

Rae and Paul lived in Boslowick Close until they moved to a rented caravan at No 1 caravan site, Golden Bank (1st March 1951 according to PE and RJM identity cards, held as doc 11). The cards show they moved back 28th March 51 but does not record that, in early 1952, they went to 17 (??) Penwerris Terrace with Marion (née Eustice) and Frank Evans. This remained the address until BW was posted home and entitled to marrried quarters, after which see BWE for addresses and further details and addresses.

Letter to her from neighbours in Hounslow in 1961 D54.

Between the birth of Neil and Clive, spent time in Middlesex Hospital with suspected multiple sclerosis, but then sent to Edgeware Hospital, re-diagnosed and sent home.

She worked at Kodak factory in Harrow, with a private catering firm and later with HMSO as a clerical officer, qualifyng as an EO. D37 is a First Aid Cert gained 1972.

After a separation in 1976, she lived with Fred Long at 31 Horseman House, Bethwin Rd, Camberwell, SE5 OYL. Leaving HMSO, she worked briefly with an organisation connected with refugees. A divorce was formalised on Friday 17th July 1981 so she and Fred married 9th February 1983 (cert D28). He is registered as a driver (govt stationery office), son of George Frederick Long, docker, deceased, and she as a social worker (a slight over-egging of her role in the new organisation). PE holds a copy D13.

As from March 22nd 1997 they lived at 7 London Rd., Newport Pagnell, MK16 OHA. After a heart attack, followed by several months of difficult illness, she died peacefully at home in the afternoon of Wednesday 16th January 2008. A memorial bench and three trees were arranged at Willen Lake and her ashes are beneath the tree at the back.

Certificate, will and proving estate held D26 and D26a/b, with related letter. Order of Service D27. Birthday card sent for 7th Jan D49. Letter from City Hall for Cornwall D65.

In 2201, clearing out effects for Fred Long, a number of documents were hand over to Karen Stephons (nee Eustice) and are now stored a follows: School reports D160, letter concrening employment D161, Cetficate of baprism, letter from Baptist church and from Women's Illustrated D162, Birthday card aged 7 and five photos D163, birth certificate and second marriage certificate D164, Medical card, NI card, funeral docs and death certificate D166

There are many more photos avalable. See BW biog for some joint or group photos, but also gallery and the link to Neil's site.