Gwendoline Ida Watson

(25th March 1890 - 8th September 1976)

Gwen's scrapbook was completely of its period, even down to what it called itself: the outer cover says simply Newspaper Cuttings, but the first page inside calls it a Common-Place Book, and so I have decided to retain that quaint terminology, although I have dispensed with the Old English font used in the book.

My grandmother was a singer in her younger days and kept newspaper cuttings and programmes from concerts in which she performed.  These provide a glimpse into the cultural life of South Africa in the early part of the twentieth century, and so, for those interested, I have reproduced them here.

Gwen appears as Gwen Hoole in later programmes, after she married Arthur Francis Hoole and started performing under her married name.

Below, Gwen as I knew her, never seen in public without gloves, hat and handbag (like so many women of her generation).  She was a formidable woman.  When I was about 9 years old I remember her reprimanding me for some misdemeanour, and I inadvisedly asked why she was always so cross.  Clearly even further annoyed by my impertinence, her ominous reply was, "I am not cross.  You will know when I am cross!"

Among the items at the front of her Common-Place Book Gwen added the business card below.  Franz Moeller was a leading light in the cultural life of East London, as will be seen in the pages which follow, and it would seem from the card that Gwen worked for him, but it is not clear in what capacity.

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