My Latest Book, A Cordwainer's Daughter

Ethel Pocock, my grandmother was a diminutive powerhouse of a woman, born in England to a Kentish cordwainer (bespoke shoemaker) in the middle of Queen Victoria’s reign when women were not permitted to amount to much, no matter how talented they were. Growing up in a close-knit family with seven other siblings, her dream was to build a career as a buyer in the clothing industry and one day have her own family. Fate had other ideas, however, and placed many obstacles in her way. Determined and resolute in reaching her goals in life, she never gave in, though it took almost four decades and the ‘War to end all Wars’ for her to finally succeed. With the aid of tape recordings made in 1965 of my grandmother reminiscing her life as well as letters and photographs I have kept since I was a boy, I have been able to piece together Ethel’s story – with much of it written in her own words. The book, The Cordwainer's Daughter, is illustrated with more than 100 photographs, images and maps.

My grandmother grew up in interesting times, with her parents friends of writer Charles Dickens and politician Lloyd George. From an early age she had role models to help her learn how to succeed in life.