Eva's roots

Daddy's Mother Eva was born in Whitwell,near Hitchin,in Hertfordshire to Ann Eliza(nee Arnold) and William Charles Gray.Grandad was known as Charles and was a Police Constable in Ickleford and Luton.When he was stationed at Luton he wore a "Straw"Policeman's helmet in Summer.Luton and the surrounding areas were famous at the time for the cottage industry straw-plaiting for the hat trade.Charles later transferred to Cottered.Whilst visiting I saw the local "postman Pat" getting in his van after emptying the local Cottered village postbox.I rushed over from our car to catch him and ask if he'd ever heard of the road I'd found the family living at in the census as we couldn't find it.Not only did he willingly direct me to Stocking Lane but he drove ahead and waited for our car to catch up then pointed down an unmade road which led to a field with a small group of chalets in a small close.Thanks to this kind man we had found Eva's(my paternal Grandmother)childhood abode.It was amazing to stroll along the country lane and imagine my dear grandmother and her siblings Reginald,Mabel and Laura walking to the local school at the beginning of 1900.