This Is Your Life: Lucy Jane Dobson

Lucy Jane DOBSON (1874-?)

THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Lucy Jane Dobson, retired seamstress, was surprised by Eamonn Andrews in the audience at the BBC's Dickenson Road Studios in Manchester.

Lucy, who was born and raised in Hulme, Manchester, worked as a seamstress from the age of 14, having been taught to sew by her mother. She initially worked in factories on steam-driven machines but later worked from home making wedding dresses for the local mill girls. In 1895 she went to work as a nurse, with her mother as matron, at a workhouse, the Erpingham Union Hospital in Norfolk.

Having returned to Manchester, she met her husband William Dobson while teaching Sunday School at the All Saints Parish Church in Gorton, and after marrying in 1901, they set up home in West Gorton. In 1912 they moved to seek work in Glasgow, where Lucy went into private service as a Cook. After William died in 1936, Lucy returned to Manchester and settled in Wythenshawe, where she took up sewing and dress-making again until she retired aged 81.

This edition of This Is Your Life raised the issue of loneliness at Christmas time, and Lucy was chosen as a subject because she otherwise 'would have been lonely on Christmas Day'.

programme details...

Edition No: 47
Subject No: 47
Broadcast live: Mon 23 Dec 1957
Broadcast time: 7.30-8.00pm
Venue: BBC Studios, Manchester
Series: 3
Edition: 13

on the guest list...

George Thornton - brother
Harriet Jones - sister
Isabel Hunter
Mrs Plunkett
Mrs Walsh
Martin Walsh
Gladys Winton
Espie Blackater

production team...

Researchers: George Bruce, Michael Friend
Writer: Peter Moore
Director: unknown
Producer: T Leslie Jackson

related pages...

Jack of all Trades

from domestic cleaner to teacher

'This Is Your Life' But It Dominates MINE!

Producer Leslie Jackson recalls some heart-stopping moments

Series 3 subjects