Clara was born to Hilda and David Fitzgerald on the 28th Feb 1921 and was their first born child. Being the eldest it was soon evident when her other siblings arrived that she would have her fare share of the child minding to do. She had a poor schooling due to migraine headaches that would incapacitate her for several days. Although very sprightly she became a tough child and could stand her ground with the best of them and often thumbed the odd boy for disparaging remarks they may have made towards her. As sisters and a brother joined the family she had to let her parents know she still existed, made her presence known by her stubborn ways. She always felt a little neglected by them and began to see herself as the outsider and not a member of the fold. She spoke very fondly of her father and witnessed his troubled and painful death at a tender age. He had fought bravely in the First World War and sustained the loss of a limb. This disability troubled him somewhat for the remainder of his life; passing away at only 47 years old was a big impact on Clara’s life. The sound of his cries on his painful departure became one of her many torments of the pain that life could throw at you. Meeting Edwin George Sedgwick Stott in her early teens and the way they met in the local corner shop was always a fond memory of hers. He had seen this beautiful girl making a trip for her mother to get some groceries, where upon he made his first impression upon her. He encouraged the shopkeeper to keep her talking whilst he went home and changed from his work clothes into his casuals so he could escort this young treasure home safely. Clara was taken aback by this young man and his charming ways, she hesitantly and patiently waited for his return. They chatted and strolled side by side as they wandered along the road to Clara's home, soon they arrived and Edwin requested they meet again at another date and time, hopefully sooner rather than later. Clara agreed and joyfully skipped into the house, her mother stating the obvious; you seem very happy and joyful after your return from the shop. Clara reframed from divulging her close encounter with her fond gentleman friend and gave her mother a look of my business. Some time passed before they would meet up again! Edwin and Clara secretly yearned for that moment. Both of their hearts would skip a beat if they thought they caught the glimpse of the other whilst on their travels. It soon came to pass they would eventually marry and have several children (14 all together) Edwin would serve his time in the Army in the Second World War. Times were difficult and money scarce but both worked hard to support their growing brood of dependants. Clara had done her bit, whilst Edwin’s was serving, and had been employed in the Royal Ordnance factory in Newton Aycliffe. She stoutedly worked alongside other strong bold women, who risked their lives everyday preparing the munitions, shells, cartridges, bullets, etc that were needed for second world war to support the men serving overseas battling to save Britain from invasion. These brave women became known locally as the "Aycliffe Angels". Clara would travel by train daily to her work-place in the ROF in Aycliffe and worked there for the duration of the war, whilst Edwin served for over 6 years and the entirety of the war as a regimental solider. He had joined up just months prior to war breaking out and due to Britain’s appeasement failing with Germany. (September 1, 1939 with the German invasion of Poland; Britain and France declared war on Germany two days later) Whilst serving with the Army, Clara kept in regular contact with her new guy and soon to be husband. They did their best to focus on the future and not dwell too much on the countries present troubles and war-torn losses. Both kept each other’s spirits up, by sending one another loving comments and expressive emotionally caring love poems.