George Drewett recently turned 100 (5/10/21). The story of his life is an interesting one.
George was born in Croydon. He was one of the last children to be sent to the workhouse, before its transition to local authority care. His father came back from soldiering in the Great War with a Military medal and what would be now diagnosed as post traumatic stress and was unable to cope, George was separated from his siblings and remained in care until age 15. He was then told he could join the Navy or go and work on a farm. That was it.
So he joined the Navy and served from 1936 until 1947 seeing action throughout WW2 and rose to the rank of Petty officer. After clearing mines for two years after the end of hostilities, he had had enough, and had to buy his way out of the service.
He married Winifred in 1945 and they are still together living in their own home in Shepperton where they have been for the last 30 odd years, after retiring from his last job as a school caretaker in Ashford.
They have eight children, eighteen grandchildren, lots of great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren.
At the birthday bash George was presented with a celebration embroidery made by one of his granddaughters. It gives an overview of life in 1921. Back then an average house cost £320, the average annual wage was £165. a pint cost 6d and litre of fuel 3d. Those were the days!!