Searching for LETTY Mc CREA(?) MIDDLESBROUGH/TO FALKIRK 1952/3

[Doreen Peacock]

I am searching for My first 'BEST FRIEND' IN SCHOOL - 'LETTY' Mc CREA, (Spelling in both cases suspect and may be wrong:  We were at St. Philomena's R.C. School, Ayresome Street, Middlesbrough. We started school together, aged 5.

I believe her father was a Footballer playing for Middlesbrough; and he got a transfer to Falkirk (?) round about 1952/3 before the Easter Holidays. We exchanged Easter eggs on our last day. Mine  to her, was a small cream egg. Hers to me, was a beautiful egg filled with expensive, assorted chocolates and wrapped with a gorgeous yellow satin ribbon, placed in an ornamented box to protect it. I felt like Royalty, even though my heart was broken at our parting.

We promised to write, but believe my letters were never posted; and I never received any letters from Scotland.... We didn't get pocket money, until we were working.... so I had to trust that my letters would be sent!  We weren't encouraged to mix, have friends or invite them into our home; or, we allowed to call and enter their homes, so I assume  my letters were never sent; and if any came to me....would never have been given to me, lest it encouraged me to 'waste time and money on paper, envelopes and stamps!'

I would love to know how her life panned out, and what she got up to over the years. Our parting had a big effect on me.

I was DOREEN Mc CALLAN, we had been in Mrs. Harrison's; Baby Class!  Miss Cott's - Abacus training which I never understood!;  Mrs. Ferguson's and Mrs. Hesselhurst's Classes - expecting a baby when we had her for our needlework classes.   Other teachers were Miss Maggie Hughes; Rose- Ann Hughes - Music teacher; Mr. Ferguson; Mr. Passman the 11 Plus teacher; Mr. Gribbon  The Junior Head was a Nun - Sister Augustine; Senion Head was Nun -  Sister Mary with the 'Butterfly Wimples' and Dark long Garb. Our school backed onto Ayresome Park, Middlesbrough Football Ground.

Her kind, friendship to me in those early years at school, have always been recalled with smiles, happy memories, and never forgotton.

[KGarrad]

The father would have been Alex McCrae.

He left Middlesbrough for Falkirk in 1953, and followed this with a spell in Northern Ireland with Ballymena.During his stint with Ballymena, McCrae made one appearance for the Irish League representative team.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_McCrae

[Doreen Peacock]

That's amazing and more routes to search. Do we know what he did after Ballymena?  My memory can't be so bad after all. The lettle grey cells, they put memories into the lettle filing system of the brain to be recalled 70 years after events. Too doing too badly - quite pleased with my recall. THANK YOU SO MUCH OFR YOUR RESEARCH , INPUT AND REPLY. IT'S VERY MUCH APPRECIATED. Must search to see What happened in his life next. I wonder what he did after Football?

[Doreen Peacock]

Found that he died in October 2009 in Scotland; so I could get his Will or Probate and find details on there I suppose. This is a Red Letter Day for me. I feel so Uplifted. Thank You So Much for the information you passed onto me.

I was happy that he stayed with the sport he loved - as a Scout for Scotland after his playing ceased on the field.  And 89 that's a good innings. I hope he was happy with his life and the way it continued after he left Middlesbrough.   Just have to find Letty...I hope she's still with us on this mortal coil.   Thanks again.

[KGarrad]

When the family left for Falkirk, Lettie would have been 5 or 6 years old, I guess?
So born 1946 or 1947?

She was either born in Edinburgh, when he played for Hearts (1941-1947).
Or born in London, when he played for Charlton (1947-1948).
Or born in Co. Durham, Northumberland or North Yorkshire, when he played for Middlesbrough (1948-1953).

Can you remember how old she was?

[softly softly]

When the family left for Falkirk, Lettie would have been 5 or 6 years old, I guess?
So born 1946 or 1947?

She was either born in Edinburgh, when he played for Hearts (1941-1947).
Or born in London, when he played for Charlton (1947-1948).
Or born in Co. Durham, Northumberland or North Yorkshire, when he played for Middlesbrough (1948-1953).

Can you remember how old she was?

Possible birth
MCCRAE
LETITIA MCINALL
F
1944
685 / 3 / 1571
Canongate and Portobello

SS

added, Scotlandspeople records 2 marriages for this women, 1964, 1979--will not name partners.

[softly softly]

Info only, Alex was playing for Charlton 1947-48.

1948 London electoral register  59, Plum Lane, Woolwich (2.4 miles from Charlton football ground)

Alex McCrea
Letitia McCrea

also in the same household
Edward Gribben.

Marriage 1943, Alexander McCrae & Letitia Gribben, West Calder, Scotland.

Death of Letitia 1967, Blackburn, West Lothian. At the time of her death Alex was a Lorry Driver

Letitia's mother was Letitia's Letitia McInally

SS

[hgs46]

Alex McCrae’s press obituary stated that he was survived by his daughter. I wonder if Falkirk FC might be helpful for more information.