Emily Coombes was born 2nd June 1875 and married Sydney Rebbeck in 1900, Her sister Elizabeth, born 10th June 1881 married William Andrews of Hull and another sister, Harriet, married William George Moody Rebbeck, brother of Sydney.

Susan Hale Leake's memories of her great-aunt -

I remember meeting my Great -Aunt Em when I was around 17 years of age, and spending a holiday at Manor Road, Ringwood. My grandmother, Alice Brenton, had expressed a desire to see her sister-in-law but was not too keen on making her own way to Portsmouth as the trip involved several changes of bus and would take 3 or 4 hours. As I had no fear of getting lost I said I would go with her. She wrote to Aunt Em telling her to expect us.

My mother often said that Aunt Em's bark was worse than her bite. I was unaware of any bark. She was, I believe, in her 90's and I found her a treasure. She had a glass of milk stout each night before retiring to bed "on Doctor's orders" and she looked well on it. We had to stay overnight as it would have been impossible to make it a day trip and came duly prepared. Aunt Em's family had been told that their aunt was coming to visit and all those living in Portsmouth arrived in short order. Ollie and Dollie breezed in and said they hoped I had brought a swimsuit with me because they were taking me to Southsea to go for a swim.Fortunately I had, but I am sure one would have been forthcoming. We left the sisters-in-law to their tea and conversation and took the bus to Southsea where I did go for a swim and a boat trip around the harbour. During that night I woke to the sound of a clock chiming. George Rebbeck's grandfather clock was in the room below - midnight never sounded so sweetly.

Coronation Year, 1953 Emily and a special cake!

According to Mother, Aunt Em was always ready to try something new. Mother often used to visit the family in Portsmouth and one day they took a flight in a small plane either over, or to, the Isle of Wight. Aunt Em was a little on the plump side and there was a problem with her getting into the plane but she did take the flight - her first. This must have been around 1939 when the first regular flights started from Portsmouth to the Island. Strange, but it was only a month ago that I saw old archive film of those flights.

My mother was quite spoiled by Aunt Emily. She would say to her youngest daughter Margaret, "Margie, you don't wear that (blue) dress any more. Give it to Ollie. She can cut it down for Elsie." Margaret and my mother were very close in age but Mother was under 5 feet in height. Ollie was a dressmaker and always did the job properly.

Emily's great-grandson, Peter Hancock wrote in June 2000-

I remember my Great Grandmother well. I was very young, and she scared me to death. She was the oldest person I had ever seen living in the oldest house I had ever been in. The steps were worn to a curve, and I was honestly scared.

Peter must have visited his Great-grandmother around the same time that Susan took her Grandmother, Alice Brenton, which was the last time that Alice and Emily met face to face. Emily died a year or so later.

W. George Rebbeck wrote of his Mother

Mother had her cantankerous moods and was very difficult at times but Ern was extremely good with her. He used to put her hot water bottle in regularly. We were down there one Christmas time and I suggested to Ern and Edie that an electric blanket was the answer. They said they'd suggested it but she'd refused. I said I'd get In touch with brother Bill and if Edie would get a good one in I'm sure he'd share the cost with me. He did, we did, she did and Ern fixed it. When she asked if he'd put her hot water bottle in he put on a great show of mystery and led her upstairs. I'd have loved to have been there. He raised the bedclothes at the side and told her to feel. She felt and she fell! I thought she would. Talking about an electric blanket in the cold light of day isn't a patch on feeling one after it's been switched on for half an hour. Next night and from there on "Ern, have you switched my blanket on?". I felt quite bucked when they wrote and said that I'd judged correctly. She fell in love with the all over warmth of the electric blanket. I thought she would. A good example of the virtue of "fait accompli"