Croydon girls wartime hit song?

[fetlar13]

Afternoon

This is an enquiry for a Canadian friend.  Her grandmother was Emily A Gatland, born Croydon 1920, daughter of Joseph Gatland and Alice E Scriven.  Emily later married an Alex Bolinski and moved to Canada.

There is a family story that Emily Gatland had a hit record with her sister Madeline Patricia Gatland, sometime around World War Two.

Is there anyone in the Croydon area who knows about the town's musical history?  Emily and Maddie Gatland may have performed as a duo, been part of a bigger group or even been the songwriters?  Sorry to be so vague, but this is one of those family stories, which I'm sure we've all come across!

I have a lady in Canada who's looking for an answer?

Cheers

[groom]

Might be worth contacting the Museum of Croydon

http://www.museumofcroydon.com/ixbin/indexplus?record=ART4978

[fetlar13]

Thanks for the tip!

[Flattybasher9]

Emily A Gatland married Alexander Bolinski, December 1940 at Croydon.

Madeline Patricia Gatland married Charles Blake, Sept 1951 at Croydon.

So, presumably, the singing was prior to 1940, or was it through the war years?

Regards

Malky

[fetlar13]

Malky

Sorry but other than the very vague story I have no further details as to the timing of the record.  The general feeling is wartime.

Yes that is the same Madeline Gatland and Emily Gatland.

Cheers

Steve

[suzard]

the younger sister was 11 years junior to Emily -she married 1951 and it seems had a child 1952 possibly the younger sister is still living.

She would have been very young to be singing during the war years - she was only 9 when her sister married

Suz

[Flattybasher9]

Ivy M was born in September 1922 and Joseph J was born in December 1924

I wonder if it was Ivy who sang with Emily.

Regards

Malky

[suzard]

I have  been careful to not mention Madeleine's details as I thought she may be living -but have just found her recent death details

Madeleine (Pat) Blake of Carvel died 19 )ct 2014 age 83

it mentions her longtime companion Paul Westermann
also her sisters Peggy (Emily A b 1920 was known as Peggy)and Ivy (Ivy M b 1922)
and her brother Joey ( Joseph John b 1924)
Her children, grandchildren and grt grandchild are mentioned

It seems the family used middle names or nicknames - maybe that could help in the search??

Suz

[fetlar13]

Thanks all

It's a real mystery all this isn't it?  I must admit that when I was told that it was Peggy and Pat (Emily and Madeline) who had performed the song I was a bit sceptical because of the age difference as Pat (Madeline) would only be about 8 when the war started.

Curiouser and curiouser....

Steve