Dear Spurtle,
By chance I found your thrilling request for information regarding Peggy Desmond [Issue 185]. Having spent my formative years in Broughton Place, I have vivid memories of the many families and characters there who were, with great spirit, picking up the pieces after the Second World War. Many lived in appalling slum conditions and were very much down on their luck, but most were boisterous and hopeful, some spent and resigned. All were street-wise. In the late 1950s many scattered to all parts of the globe, myself included.
Peggy was all of those and more, having been on stage for many years with most of the luminaries of the era until her star descended. I believe she was in the premier league of her time. At this point, I am thinking, my sister knew Peggy as an adopted aunt much better than I. She had close contact during her Broughton Court days and later when she moved to Portobello. Therefore please feel welcome to contact me with whatever information you require and I will pass it on to my sister. I am sure she will be glad to oblige.
Yours faithfully and wishing you success,
Tommy Kemp [The Netherlands]
PS: If there's anybody out there who remembers us, please feel free to contact us [via Spurtle]: Norma Valerie and Tommy Kemp.
[Spurtle's Ross Maclean is now preparing an article on Peggy Desmond. If any other readers have information about her, please get in touch.]