Edward and Amy Harding were a typical upper middle class English family of the late 19th Century. He had a business in the City, 'Toplis & Harding' and Amy was a devoted wife. They had two children: a very handsome son, Graham and an exceedingly plain daughter, Gertrude.

One summer they took a house, as was customary, at Frinton; the family who had taken the neighbouring house were none other than the Count and Countess Maximilian Hollender. With them were their two sons Vivian and Bertie, aged twenty-two and twenty respectively and their daughter Dorothea 'Dolly' who was seventeen years old.

Inevitably the two families became acquainted and an invitation to take tea at the Hollender house was shortly proffered and accepted. Dolly had spent almost every day at the garden gate and had been finally rewarded when she caught sight of Graham striding towards her, immaculately attired for a game of cricket. Over six foot, blonde and with bright blue eyes… Dolly fell instantly in love!

The tea party was a great success and, cordial relations having been established between the two houses, Dolly was able to, more or less discreetly, persue her heart's desire.

Only a few months later Ted Harding had a fatal heart attack and Graham found himself head of his father's firm at the age of only twenty-six. To his great dismay he discovered that the firm was practically bankrupt, not as a result of unsuccessful business practice but, rather, to Ted's inability to match his spending to his income. Ted Harding had always lived comfortably, entertained lavishly, kept a carriage and pair and rarely missed a race meeting.

After carefully considering the situation Graham reached a daring conclusion. He would marry Dolly Hollender, borrow £2000 from his future father-in-law and put the company back on its feet. He achieved all his objectives.

Graham's sister Gertrude married Ernest Gayford and duly produced three daughters, Ursula, Sybil and Diana. Where her mother was plain, Ursula grew up to be a beautiful young woman and married a very successful, very rich, advertising photographer, Jack Blake, but they had no children.

Sybil (who for reasons nobody knows was always called 'Boosie' - yet she didn't drink!) married Aubrey Pyke. They were a large, colourful and vivacious couple known for their culinary prowess, producing the most exquisite meals… but no children!

The third daughter Diana married Charles Chabot – related to the famous aviator Chabot; they had one son. But he too has no children so it is only through Graham Harding that the family line continues.

• Graham & Dorothea Harding
• Maxine Rose-Marie Harding

Photos from top to bottom...

1. Amy Harding
2. Countess Hollender with the Gayford family. Left to right: Ernest Gayford, Countess Hollender (née Rose Beyfus), Gertrude Gayford & Amy Harding. Front: Ursula & Sybil Gayford.
3. Amy H & the Gayfords. Left to right: Amy Harding, Ernest Gayford, Gertrude Gayford (née Harding)
4. Ursula & Sybil Gayford
5. Ursula Gayford