Hyman and Mary
Hymie & Mary Gerlis in Fancy Dress (circa 1916)
Hyman David Gerlis was born in 1889 in Chemielnick, and died in 1952. Hyman was may not have been his original name; Leon tells the story (as it was told to him) that when Hyman was young he was very ill.Fearing that the angel of death was comming for him he was given a new name 'Chaim' - for life. It worked, he survived.
He was a journeyman tailor before marrying Mary. Their marriage ceremony was held in Dukes Place Syangogue on August 11 1914. Interestingly their marriage certificate states that at the time they were married they lived next door to each other in the Wentworth Buildings.
After their marriage they lived at 17A Clapham Common, and Hyman worked with Toby at the box factory, Albert joining them later.
Mary with Toby
THE BOX FACTORY
The factory was in Rupert St in the East End. Leon remebers well the smell of the barrels of glue in the factory.
In the first world war Hyman had served as a soldier in Bedford.
During the war Hyman and Mary were evacuated to Burgess Hill in Sussex.
While Hyman was always in work, things weren't always easy. Albert remembers being sent out to (temporarily) pawn Marys engagement ring, and Toby remembers doing the same with a gold watch.
Toby recalls comming home to find Hyman sitting on the floor. Hyman explained how his father had just died, and he simply sat down, sat shiva shiva there and then.
In 1953 he was ill, and so Albert came back from Cambridge to be with him and work in the factory.
Hyman was very much a family man, taking his children to the football, and was very aware of their educational needs. Sylvia described him as very easy going..."He opened the door and let everyone in."