Richard & Margaret Leftwich

Report by Richard Leftwich, son of Richard and Margaret

Richard William Leftwich was born 1899 in East Brixton

Margaret Scottow was born in

Richard William was one of five children, four of whom, in the 1920's owned an up-market clothing factory in Aldersgate, East London, classified as 'Mantle Makers to the Wholesale'. The other brother sadly was killed in the First World War.

As a young man Richard fell in love with a senior tailoress, Margaret Scottow, who was working in the factory. Much to the anger of the family, they dismissed her but Richard reinstated her. (All was forgiven).

Richard and Margaret married in 1927 at Greenwich and lived in North Harrow.

Richard and Margaret had three children as follows :-

Joan Leftwich born 1928

Marie Leftwich born 1931

Richard Leftwich born 1938

At the start of the Second World War the factory business was in decline, so Richard and Margaret decided that, with three young children, it would be safer to leave London. Shortly after that the factory was completely destroyed by bombing.

I think it was in 1940 that they moved into Graham Cottages no 1