Birth and Family Background

I was born on October 29, 1932, with a twin sister. We lived in a bungalow in West Molesey, Surrey. The bungalow went with the job and was rent-free. My parents were William Herbert Prater and May Victoria Prater. We had a brother who was called William Albert Prater. He was born on February 19, 1931.

Mother's Feelings and Birth Details

My mother was not at all pleased to have given birth to two babies and asked that one was taken away, which was, of course, ignored. We were named Dorothy May and Violet Rose. My sister was born thirty minutes before me and was literally thrown down and left to die.

Father's Reaction

When my father came in from milking the cows, he wanted to know what all the fuss was about and ordered those in attendance to ignore the babies, which could be replaced, and to concentrate on his wife, who could not be.