Doris was born in August 1930 to loving parents, Elizabeth and Arthur. She was raised in Lower Sydenham, South-East London, and was the second youngest of her five siblings Edward, Beatrice, Anthony, Kenneth and John.
From the age of 5, Doris attended Haseltine Primary School in Lower Sydenham, which is a large school that is still open and operating to this day!
When Doris was 10, the Second World War had begun and her parent’s house was tragically hit by a bomb. Luckily her family wasn't injured, but it did mean they had to move house. Doris’ parent decided to stay in the local area, so Doris and her siblings could continue their education without too much disruption.
Doris did well at school and at the age of 14, she got her first job at Wellcome Research Laboratories (WRL). This was a pharmaceutical testing facility situated in Beckenham and during Doris’ employment, they were testing and working on the introduction of immunization against tetanus diphtheria and scarlet fever, before it went into the NHS.
Whilst working at WRL, Doris joined the Forest Hill and Sydenham Youth Club, also known as FORSYD, which is where she met a lovely young man called Douglas. Doris and Douglas got on really well and began to meet up outside of the youth club, which sparked a romantic relationship. In 1955, Doris and Douglas got married in a service surrounded by their friends and family.
Doris and Douglas went on to have two children, Elizabeth and Anthony, who gave them three Grandchildren.
After Doris retired, she wanted to support her local community and decided to get involved and help set up the Lewisham Pensioner Forum. This forum would meet every month, and members would have the opportunity to raise any issues or concerns that were affecting older people. The group would then actively work to try and find solutions for the concerns that were raised.
For her commitment and dedication to the group, Doris was appointed as a secretary, then to a chairperson, and finally, a representee. In 2017, Doris retired from her role at the Lewisham Pensioner Forum and received a printed plaque for her 26 years of service.
Now living at Peartree Care Home, Doris remains actively involved in activities and events and her plaque from the Lewisham Pensioner Forum can be seen proudly displayed in her bedroom window.