This Is Your Life: Jenny Gleed

Jenny GLEED (1900-?)

THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Jenny Gleed, pub landlady, was surprised by Eamonn Andrews in the Oporto Arms in the West India Dock Road, London.

Jenny was born and raised in Poplar in east London, in the shadow of the West India docks. After leaving school at 14, she married aged 20 and had two sons but became a mother to her younger siblings when their mother died in 1924.

In a time of great poverty in the East End of London, Jenny worked hard to provide for her family. As barmaid of the Oporto Arms, she became known to locals as Limehouse Jenny and, well known for keeping order from behind the bar, acted as banker, guide, comforter and mother to the hundreds of sailors who docked in the area and drank in the pub.

programme details...

Edition No: 180
Subject No: 181
Broadcast: Mon 22 Jan 1962
Broadcast time: 7.30-8.00pm
Recorded: Sat 2 Sep 1961 8.00pm
Venue: BBC Television Theatre
Series: 7
Edition: 17

on the guest list...

Nell Dillon
Nana Carter – sister
Georgie – son
Joe Wimbourne
Mike Wimbourne
Tommy – son
Mr Ching
Betty – daughter
Tom Kent
Dennis Bertram
Robert Newton
Charlie Cavanagh
'Diamond Lil'
Rose – sister
Nell – sister
Taffy – brother
Mary – daughter
Googie – daughter
Reggie – son
Ninky – son
Johnnie – son
Joan – granddaughter
Tommy – grandson
John – grandson
Janet – granddaughter
Pat – granddaughter
Stephen – grandson
Ann – granddaughter
Diane – granddaughter
Dawn – granddaughter

production team...

Researchers: Alfred Draper, Arthur Sellwood
Writer: Peter Moore
Director: Yvonne Littlewood
Producer: T Leslie Jackson

related page...

Jack of all Trades

from domestic cleaner to teacher

Photographs of Jenny Gleed This Is Your Life

Series 7 subjects