PHOTOGRAPHS RELATED TO THE FAMILY OF JOAN BRENNAN

Donor's grandfather, Maurice Bilson, was a die sinker and engraver from Riga. When he came to U.K. he set up business in Sheperdess Walk, City of London. He had 2 children - Harry (donor's father), born in 1900 and Deborah, born 1902. Donor's grandmother died of pleurisy in 1902 and Maurice Bilson re-married c.1904.

Harry Bilson volunteered for Royal Flying Corps in 1917 and served as a mechanic till the end of the war.

Donor's grandfather Leon Lee (nee Liebermann - name changed to Lee during World War I for Libermann was too German sounding) came to England c.1893 with some of his children. He established a business importing gas mantles and had a factory in Blood Alley, near Mansel Street, East London, c.1909. Then he moved to City Road with his wife, 3 sons and 6 daughters. He took a retail shop with house on top. He sold gas mantles, roller skates, accumulators for radios and small electrical goods. Family lived here till World War II.

Donor's mother, Bertha Lee, born 1898. Her sister Minnie worked as a sales representation for "Negulies" hair manufacturers. During World War I she sold hair accessories and jewellery.

Raie Lee was a shorthand typist from 1910. Miriam Lee worked as a milliner. Older sisters attended Lily Montague's Jewish Club in the West End.