Page 2 - Gwen Landsberry - Memories Memento for Family

I was so gawky. Claire was the prettier one. Mum did her hair in ringlets with rags. Anne and

I used to help wind the rags for Claire’s ringlets. I never remember her as a little girl without
ringlets. Later on, Mum used to braid Claire’s hair into two plaits. My hair was straight, cut

short. I always felt a bit ordinary – with not a lot of good things in me. As I grew up, I

became a bit more confident and felt better about myself. I was a little girl when I was given
a small sewing kit for Christmas by Mum and Dad. We just got one gift in those days and that

was enough. My sewing kit started my passion for sewing. It’s all I ever wanted to do. Once I
began to sew, I knew I could do something well and I wasn’t as worried then about not being

that good at school, not being as good as Mary or the boys. I still love to sew when I can.

(Gwen far left and Claire, with ringlets, second from right)

When I was about 12 or 13, Jack was away at war in the Air Force, and Celia was living in
her family home in Wagga Wagga. Her parents had to go away, and Celia asked Mum if she

could have one of the girls visit as a companion. She said, ‘I’d like to have Gwen’. I couldn’t
believe it! I had to have a good dress and so Dad took me into town, just me, and bought me

the most expensive dress. It was soft green with cream hail-spots and a cream top. Mum

nearly passed out at the price when we got home! I thought I was Christmas. Celia took me
shopping in Wagga and I felt so grown up. She bought me a little bag to match with a dog

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