This article was originally published in the April 2004 edition of Soul Search, the journal of The Sole Society

Blanche Amy Sole (née Sturman) was born in Haringey, London, was married to Charles Leslie Sole, and lived most of her life in Eastbourne, Sussex where Charles was born. He is a descendant of Richard and Mary (née Master) Sole of Rustington, Sussex who were married there in 1594. Charles died in 1968 and in later years unknown circumstances took Blanche to Stevenage, Herts where she lived at 5 Highfield Court. She died at the Lister Hospital, Stevenage in 1980 at the age of 82.

Beatrice Grace (known to all as Dolly) Saffery (née Sole) was born in Margate, Kent, was married to Robert (Bob) Alfred Saffery, and lived most of her life in Margate. She is a descendant of Edward and Mary Sole of Herne, Kent, who were married about 1760. In 1983, so that they could be nearer to their daughter Jean, Dolly and Bob moved to Stevenage, Herts, where they also lived at 5 Highfield Court. Bob died at the Hitchin General Hospital in 1991 and eventually Dolly moved to Morden, Surrey to be near to her son Bob. She died there in 1998 at the age of 97.

Blanche was the mother of sisters Jacqueline Houghton and Margaret Capelin, two new members of the Society, who live in Eastbourne. Dolly was the mother of Bob Saffery, also a member, who lives in Mitcham. Blanche and Dolly could not have known each other and, as far as we know at present, there is no connection between the Kent and Sussex Sole families. Highfield Court, Stevenage, is a warden assisted home for the elderly. The staff and other tenants living there during 1979/1984 would not have connected the two ladies because of their married names. As they say, “What a coincidence!

Pictured below are Dolly and Bob on the left and Blanch and Charles on the right