Queenie Leighton and Great Uncle Fred
Investigating the original owner some flamboyant family jewellery I found that it had belonged to the wife of my husband's Great Uncle Fred, an officer from Northampton in 1914-18 War
Queenie Leighton-- not her real name -was a well known musical comedy actress appearing regularly as Principal Boy in several Drury Lane pantomimes .During WW1 she would round up young men after her stage performances and take them to the nearest recruiting offices.
Fred was wounded and had to return home to Northampton to recover , Queenie appeared in numerous productions at the New Theatre, Northampton wearing Freds's cap.She was a keen cross dresser!
Attitudes were different in the 1914-18 War-- we may find Queenie's actions repugnant now but she would have considered it her patriotic duty to encourage young men to sign up.
I have references for all the details of the above information .
Wedding Day
Wedding Day
Fred Injured
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