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BABY JOHN (Room 103)
Contrary to earlier accounts, research has shown that John was not born during a World War II air raid. However, he was named after our wartime leader—Winston Churchill—a name he later renounced. John Winston Lennon was born on 9th October 1940 at Oxford Street Maternity Hospital, near the city centre.
John’s father, Freddie, was away at sea, and his mother, Julia, struggled to cope. Freddie ‘disappeared’ for many months, and Julia presumed he was dead. She later became pregnant with a daughter, Victoria, after a liaison with a soldier. Upon birth, however, the child was taken from her and adopted by a Norwegian sea captain. Sadly, John never met Victoria—the half-sister he knew he had—as she only “came to light” after his death.
Julia later met and fell in love with John Dykins, who worked at the Adelphi Hotel. When John was two and a half years old, it was arranged that he move in with his Aunt Mimi and Uncle George, who took care of him. Julia and John Dykins went on to have two daughters of their own, Julia and Jacqui, with whom John had a very close relationship.
Although John continued to live with Aunt Mimi, he grew increasingly close to his mother, who taught him how to play the banjo. Much of John’s later pain and insecurity can be traced back to his troubled childhood and the tragic, premature death of his mother in a road accident.
Artwork © Shannon
BABY JOHN (Room 103)
Contrary to earlier accounts, research has shown that John was not born during a World War II air raid. However, he was named after our wartime leader—Winston Churchill—a name he later renounced. John Winston Lennon was born on 9th October 1940 at Oxford Street Maternity Hospital, near the city centre.
John’s father, Freddie, was away at sea, and his mother, Julia, struggled to cope. Freddie ‘disappeared’ for many months, and Julia presumed he was dead. She later became pregnant with a daughter, Victoria, after a liaison with a soldier. Upon birth, however, the child was taken from her and adopted by a Norwegian sea captain. Sadly, John never met Victoria—the half-sister he knew he had—as she only “came to light” after his death.
Julia later met and fell in love with John Dykins, who worked at the Adelphi Hotel. When John was two and a half years old, it was arranged that he move in with his Aunt Mimi and Uncle George, who took care of him. Julia and John Dykins went on to have two daughters of their own, Julia and Jacqui, with whom John had a very close relationship.
Although John continued to live with Aunt Mimi, he grew increasingly close to his mother, who taught him how to play the banjo. Much of John’s later pain and insecurity can be traced back to his troubled childhood and the tragic, premature death of his mother in a road accident.
Artwork © Shannon