Mrs RM Downer (b.1884): Biographical Entry

211 DOWNER, Mrs. R., ‘A Bygone Age’, TS, pp.31 (c.lO,OOO words). West Sussex Record Office.

Born 1884. Father: ‘connected with horses’, working in stables, sometime jockey. 2nd child. Educated at schools in Horsham and Chichester (to age 14). Married childhood sweetheart. One son. Lived in Horsham (1884-189?); Chichester (189?-?); Guildford.

Travelling dress-maker, working for the upper classes; ran dress-making business from home after birth of son.

No details of interests or activities.

The narrative starts with her career as a dress-maker, but tells us more of the style of life of her ‘famous’ (un-named) employers than her own, though with some comments on her skilled craft.