The re-imagined story …

Love is the sweetest thing
What else on earth could ever bring
Such happiness to ev’rything
As Love’s old story.

How wonderful it must be to find love twice in a lifetime. In my mind’s eye I can see mother’s sardonic expression. She didn’t believe in love, or luck – she’d never had much of either in her life, but I was the eternal romantic.

Mother and I would go into town every Friday. We’d do some shopping and then we’d have afternoon tea in McIlroys. We used to meet Mrs Sessford, as she was then, at the bus stop on Kingshill Road.

Mother and Mrs Sessford were about the same age, but you would never have guessed it. Mother was, how can I put this kindly? Well let’s say she didn’t have much joie de vive. Mrs Sessford, on the other hand, was joyful, yes, that is the correct word to describe her. She was joyful.

Love is the strangest thing
No song of birds upon the wing
Shall in our hearts more sweetly sing
Than Love’s old story.

Mother always complained about the weather; it was either too cold or too hot. But for Mrs Sessford, the sun always shone.

Mrs Sessford had grown up in Devonport where her father, Thomas Steel, served in the navy. Her first husband, James Henry Sessford, died in 1927 and Mrs Sessford came to Swindon to look after her elderly father. They lived together at 155 Kingshill Road where her father died on August 30, 1943. Within weeks Mrs Sessford married Henry Harold Musto.

Whatever heart may desire
Whatever fate may send
This is the tale that never will tire.
This is the song without end.

“They must be almost 60,” Mother tutted. “There’s something fishy about it all, you mark my words. I bet he’s after her money.”

Mother thought it ridiculous. I thought it was rather lovely, and how lucky Mrs Sessford had been, to find love twice in her lifetime. Sadly, it passed me by completely.

 Love is the greatest thing
The oldest yet, the latest thing
I only hope that fate may bring
Love’s story to you.

Love is the sweetest thing written by Ray Noble and performed by Al Bowlly 1932 

 

The facts …

Edith Maud Steel was born on February 9, 1886, the eldest of Thomas and Letitia Steel’s three children. She grew up in Devonport where in 1908 she marred James Henry Sessford. Lieut Sessford died on September 15, 1927 at the Royal Naval Hospital in Chatham from Broncho Pneumonia and Cardiac Failure.

By 1939 Edith was living with her father Thomas, Chief E.R.A. Royal Navy (Retired) at 155 Kingshill Road. Thomas was 77 years old and Edith was 53.

Thomas died at his home on August 30, 1943. His funeral took place in Radnor Street Cemetery on September 2 where he was buried in plot C4911.

Edith married Henry Harold Musto in the December quarter of 1943. She died in St Margaret’s Hospital, Stratton St Margaret on June 3, 1951. Her funeral took place on June 7 when she was buried with her father. They are the only two interments in plot C4911.

Henry Harold Musto died in the December Quarter of 1971. His death was registered in the Plymouth district.

Henry Harold Musto was the only child of Joseph Henry Musto and his wife Margaret. He was a railway clerk in the Works and had grown up at 146 Clifton Street.

At the time of her marriage to Thomas Steel, Edith’s mother was living at 21 Regent Street; Letitia Fanny was one of William and Jane Musto’s five children, along with brother Joseph Henry.

Edith and Henry were, therefore, first cousins.