In Conversation with Shell Woman
“I grew up in Northern Ireland and I was born in Belfast, but moved when I was four. We moved the family back to Coalisland, which was very much a nationalist environment. And I wouldn’t have been perceived to be from that community at all. We were a Protestant family living in a clearly Catholic community. At what would have been the beginning of the troubles, we moved back to Coalisland around 1969. So an interesting environment, I suppose to grow up in. And certainly, in in terms of, you know, symbols of the British Empire that were there. There were, soldiers and policemen around whose uniforms would have been seen as symbols of the British Empire. And being from that Protestant community, we would have viewed those people as you know, being there for a good purpose to protect us to keep us safe to, to fight against the baddies. There would have been lots of symbols at various times of the opposite community. I remember black flags flying at various stages in the village.”
Much loved jigsaw, a present from a relation in Australia.
Studio portrait of Dorothy Martin, prior to becoming a missionary.
Hymn used by the Qua Ibo Mission, focusing on the aims of the mission.
(Bottom Photo) Dorothy Martin with school students in Ika Annang.
(Bottom Photo) Dorothy Martin, teacher with staff from Ochaja (l-r), seated sixth from the left in the front row in 1981.
The four Gore sisters, Sally, Jean, Minnie and Lily. Lily is the grandmother of Shell Woman.
Collage of family memorabilia compiled by “Shell Girl”. Top left: Sally Caton, née Gore. Top right: Sally Caton, Mrs Kennedy and Lily McIlgorm, née Gore (Shell Woman's grandmother) on a return visit to Northern Ireland.
A family note of the dates and places of birth of the "Gore Girls" - Minnie, Sarah ("Sally"), Jean, and Lil(l)y - belonging to Shell Woman
A family note belonging to Shell Woman of the husbands and children of the "Gore Girls", Jean, Minnie, Sarah (Sally) and Lil(l)y.
“I remember Dorothy leaving and travelling to be a missionary in Nigeria. This seemed amazing me to – a brave thing to do - it was admired in my family circle and seen as doing good work and sharing her faith. Concerns were expressed about her health and wellbeing. I remember her looking tanned but maybe thin and not healthy. I don’t remember colonies being discussed but it was certainly seen as her helping a poorer country with education and in sharing a Christian faith. Dorothy seemed to enjoy her life and work. She spent many years there and talked about the people she helped - girls mainly. Her serving in this way was seen as great dedication. ”
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