This is Vera and her husband, Bill.
Vera is of German and British heritage.
She was born in Britain.
Vera first met Diane when they started school, age 11, in 1971.
Vera was interviewed for The Making of Black Britain on 8th September, 2021.
Vera, London (2021) by Vanely BurkeThe Making of Black Britain
My first memory I suppose, is of Hatfield... Like you.
We moved to Hatfield. In fact, when I was about one or two years old. My father had a business and he rented some factory from the New Towns Commission, who were responsible for building Hatfield and part of his deal was to also get a house thrown in. So we moved to Hatfield.
Vera, London (2021) by Vanely BurkeThe Making of Black Britain
We had a huge dog. My mother never did things by halves.
When we lived in Hatfield, she went and got herself a Great Dane. Which I mean, given that the house was a three-bedroom house, it was a three-bedroom end of terrace house with a garage, big luxury. She went and decided she wanted a Great Dane. Which was enormous. And she was really fond of it.
Dinah the Great Dane (1964)The Making of Black Britain
Dinah the dog, out for a walk, 1964
Vera, London (2021) by Vanely BurkeThe Making of Black Britain
My mother being German, she was treated pretty well actually
But you know, some people have reservations about Germans, it was still very real thing in people's minds at that stage. But no, some of the some of the neighbours were absolutely lovely, and some were a bit standoffish.
I wasn't afraid to stand up to bullies.
But I was also, you know, I was quite a robust kid, you know, I wasn't a near slip of a thing. I was a solid, sturdy child. And so yeah, I guess people thought, mm so German. But whatever German is, I mean, you know, I don't suppose they had any idea really what German was either, but yeah, a few people at school used to tease me a bit.
Vera, London (2021) by Vanely BurkeThe Making of Black Britain
She arrived in this country not speaking any English at all.
They didn't necessarily want to know all your business, they minded their own business. They weren't intrusive. Not like in Germany, where everyone wants to know everyone's business, and then make a judgement call on it. And she loved that.
Vera, London (2021) by Vanely BurkeThe Making of Black Britain
Boy, did you pack a punch
But I always remember even when I wasn't close to you that you were an 'in girl'. And everybody wants to be around you because you were cool. That wasn't a word we use in those days. But that's what it amounted to.
People wanted to be in your gang.
Vera, London (2021) by Vanely BurkeThe Making of Black Britain
So you know, always stand your ground.
Anyway, so I went home and I told my mother this and she said, “What?”
She said, “No, no, no, that will not do. They had agreed to give you a job for a fortnight, they are giving you a job for a fortnight. Did you do something wrong?”
Vera's family (1964)The Making of Black Britain
All evidence of male occupation was thrown out
And I remember at the age of nine saying to my “Daddy, why don't you and Oma like each other?” And he said, “It's very simple. She thinks I'm a monster, and I think she's a monster.”
And that was the last that was ever said on the subject.
Now listen to Vera's husband, Bill, tell his story for The Making of Black Britain.
