(1919 – 2010)
Published in Windlesora 27 (2011)
© WLHG
Behind every man there is a woman, they say, and it was certainly true of my parents, Gordon and Mollie Cullingham. Gordon was an enthusiastic member of the Windsor Local History Group until the day of his death in November 1999, but much of what he achieved as a local historian would not have been possible without the help and support of his wife Mollie who sadly passed away in May 2010.
Gordon was not a skilled typist but Mollie was, and so many of the articles that Gordon prepared, and many of the letters sent seeking information, and much else besides, were taken care of by Mollie. Although married to Gordon for sixty years, Mollie always struggled with his handwriting but always won through, with many important local histories resulting. One of the first, and still one of the most significant, was Gordon’s article about the Floods of 1947 published in the very first edition of Windlesora, the group’s annual publication and still available on the Royal Windsor Website. Both Gordon and Mollie were very closely involved at the time, with water lapping at their front door in Maidenhead Road.
Mollie was an excellent cook, preparing some magnificent family meals, especially at Christmas, and was a great lover of shellfish and seafood. Well, having spent the first 20 years of her life in Whitstable before moving to Windsor, that comes as no surprise. Mollie had strong views about many things, not least how the monarchy deserves our support in their total commitment to, and concern for the United Kingdom but what I shall most remember her for is her total loyalty to Windsor and concern for the town’s well-being, which so very often seems to be lacking in this profit-orientated community.
Roger Cullingham
Windsor Local History Group 