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his Mother came to South Africa as was discovered. And why Jock never told his wife that his
Mother was still living nor ever breathed a word about his Father. Mysteries surround Jock and
one can only wonder what it was that turned him into an abuser?
He was no role model for Denis who, thank goodness, relied more and more on his Mother
Jessie’s family for all the role models he needed.
In the next chapter we will speak about Jessie’s family, the Stretches, an altogether different
kind of family!

H

CHAPTER 3:

JESSIE STRETCH BROWNLEE (1907 – 1987)

aving told the sad story of family interaction with Denis’ Father we must now have a
look at the genetic origins of his Mother, Jessie Stretch. The Stretch family considered
themselves Upper Class having come from Money and Military with a dash of political
clout. They exuded the confidence and arrogance of the wealthy Englishman-(and
woman)-in-the-Colonies. I have attempted to assemble some information regarding the history
of the Stretch family to give an indication of who they were and what their claim to fame was.
Although there had been a Great uncle, Charles Lennox Stretch born 1797, who had some cause
for fame, it seemed there was nothing special that anyone else had been or done that promoted
glory; it was only that they believed totally in the superiority of their upper-class Englishness
and their ‘old money’. Sadly, none of it filtered down to us!
There were four Stretch siblings in Jessie’s immediate family; Lennox Charles, Irma Edith,
Jessie and Sydney (called Ronnie).
Jessie’s marriage to Jock was met with scorn and dismay. Apparently when her fiancé came to
visit during their ‘courting’ days he had had to enter via the kitchen door or ‘tradesmen’s
entrance’; his status was not such as to allow entrance through the Front door! Her family was
not impressed by the lowly Scots policeman who was definitely a few cuts below them. Or so
they believed. Jessie’s parents farmed at Nqutu in Zululand at least in their more mature years
but I have no idea whether the father had farmed all his life as there is no Internet information
to that effect. Occasionally Denis spent very happy days there as a child. He modelled much of
his more formal attitudes towards himself and his children on his grandfather’s strict
disciplinary codes, particularly one behaviour which you will all remember. Guess where
standing behind your chairs for Grace originated!
Jessie’s Mother’s maiden name was EDITH BLANCHE WALDECK (born 1875) and her Father
was CHARLES LENNOX STRETCH (1874-1942). We are going to give these ancestors a chapter
to themselves as befits their status. Hold on - all will be revealed!
When Jessie disgraced her parents by marrying her policeman on the quiet, there were
certainly no Halleluiahs sung. It would be nice to say that Jessie and Jock proved her family
wrong but I’m afraid they were quite right and Jock did not live up to poor Jessie’s
expectations.
In attempting to understand Jessie’s choice of husband I wonder at how she came to defy her
parents so extravagantly and I have to admire her for going against the grain. She was a very
practical, down-to-earth person and cared nothing for the airs and graces of her Terribly
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