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Frances Shand Kydd

Sandringham House, 20 Apr 1936 – Seil, 3 Jun 2004

8 facts3 sources

Facts and their sources

  • Born20 Apr 1936, Sandringham Houseor 20 Jan 1936Records disagree1 source
  • MarriedJohn Spencer, 8th Earl Spencernot verified1 source
  • Died3 Jun 2004, Seilnot verified1 source

A life in time

  1. 20 Apr 1936

    Born in Sandringham House

  2. 1 Jul 1961

    A daughter is born

  3. 3 Jun 2004

    Dies in Seil, aged 68

During her lifetime

She lived through 8 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Sandringham House.

General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.

The 1930s · Frances is born in Sandringham House

In the news1919–1939

Council Housing Construction Began in 1919

Following the 1919 Housing Act, local authorities began building council houses to replace slums, with over 1 million built by 1939.

Getting around

Walking was the primary mode of commuting

In the 1930s, walking was the most common way for people to commute to work, remaining the primary method for one-third of the population.

What it cost

Cost of bread and bacon in 1938

In 1938, bread typically cost about 8.5 pence for a 4-pound loaf, while bacon cost roughly 1 shilling 3.5 pence per pound.

The Second World War. The deadliest war in history, from 1939 to 1945: some 70 million people died. Brazil sent 25,000 soldiers to fight in Italy.Around the world · 1939–1945

The Second World War. The deadliest war in history, from 1939 to 1945: some 70 million people died. Brazil sent 25,000 soldiers to fight in Italy.

Chief Photographer's Mate (CPHoM) Robert F. Sargent · public domain

What people wore

Wartime siren suits for air raids

The siren suit was an all-enveloping, zip-up boiler suit that people wore over pajamas for quick dashes to air raid shelters during the war.

Music

Popular wartime dance routines

The Hokey Cokey became a hit song and dance routine in 1942, featuring simple actions that allowed for mass participation by anyone. Other popular wartime dances included the conga, which was easily mastered with a simple one, two, three kick format.

Daily life

Limited Home Amenities and Rationing

Many homes lacked bathrooms and indoor toilets; families often used a portable tin bath in the kitchen and an outside toilet. To save fuel, authorities advised limiting bath water to a depth of five inches, a rule famously adopted even at Buckingham Palace.