Description: Brian left school (South Normanton Boy's School) in 1950 at the age of 15 years and worked at A Winning Colliery until 1957, entering Westbury on Trym Methodist Training College in Bristol for four years to become a Methodist Minister. In 1961 the couple spent two terms in Missionary Training College, Selly Oak, Birmingham, and in April 1962 sailed to Africa with our one year old daughter Nicole.
Bernice left school (South Normanton Girl's School) in 1950 at the age of 15 years and worked at Morley's factory in Heanor, and then Black's factory in Selston until 1953 when she entered Nurse training at Mansfield General and King's Mill Hospitals. In 1956 after qualifying as a State Registered Nurse, she commenced Midwifery training at 'The Mothers' (Salvation Army Hospital) in Clapton, London, qualifying as a State Certified Midwife in December 1957. She worked as a Staff Midwife in Mansfield General Hospital (Private Patienfs Maternity Unit) for eight months, then as a District Midwife in Pinxton for three years before leaving for Missionary Training College.
As a couple they were stationed at the following Methodist Stations:
Northern Rhodesia (became Zambia in 1964) 1962-1969: where they had three more daughters; Bernice worked when able as a nurse, midwife, and minister's wife in the bush and on the Copperbelt;
Stockport 1969-1977: worked at Stepping Hill Hospital and as a Community Midwife (Midwifery Sister);
Liverpool 1977 -1985: where Bernice worked at Fazakerley Hospital as a Midwifery Tutor;
Holmfirth, West Yorkshire 1985-1993: she worked at Barnsley, Dewsbury, Huddersfield and Halifax Hospitals (Midwifery and General Nurse Tutor);
Bebington, Wirral Merseyside 1993-95: where they both retired owning to Brian's ill-health.
(biography supplied courtesy of Bernice Stocks)