Francis Frith

I was sent to a convelecent home in Broadstairs but I don't know the name. I must have been 5 years old, I lived in London at the time. I remember being put on a coach and being seen off by my parents and wondering why they looked sad. I also can only remember being told I had a shadow on the lung. Regarding the home; I remember the dormitories the curtains used to frighten me because I could make out ugly, scary faces in the black and white design (always been aware of curtain patterns since). I also remember the long dining tables and being made to eat rabbit stew (were we made to have cod liver oil?) I don't remember any unkindness nor any particular kindness. I believe there were swings in the grounds and recall falling backwards on to the mud in my lovely new winter coat. We used to have walks in a 'crocodile fashion' and sing "I love to go a wandering". My parents would visit occasionally and take me out and I would always ask, "when am I coming home?". I can't remember lessons, maybe I was too young, nor making any friends. I have a feeling the girls in my dormitory where older than me. I was there for 8 weeks and I never went back to London as while I was away my family moved to Essex where I assume it was better for me. Thinking about it, it was quite a decision as my father worked in London; know their first child, a daughter, died at the age of 5 with TB. They then had two boys then me. Must have been a very worrying time for them.