'The sadness we felt when our first baby died at three months of age is something we shall never forget but, in a strange and mysterious way, it changed the future of our lives.'

'The sadness we felt when our first baby died at three months of age is something we shall never forget but, in a strange and mysterious way, it changed the future of our lives.'

Tom remembers the loss of their first child and how it changed their life.

Tom Sutton

Trinity College Dublin

1946

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Tom Sutton

Marriage and Family

Life Story

Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim

1940s

The sadness we felt when our first baby died at three months of age is something we shall never forget but, in a strange and mysterious way, it changed the future of our lives. Whilst I continued as a representative for Murrays, Doreen on getting married, had given up her job at the collection of taxes office in Howard Street, Belfast. The loss of Elsa left a great void in her life. On my travels, I heard of a small book shop and lending library that was for sale in Carrickfergus and, as she was an ardent reader, I felt sure this would help to provide a new interest.It certainly did and, not only that, but it also prospered. As member of the Booksellers Association, books could be sold to the Public Libraries at a discount and soon I gave up my job to promote this side of the business. Building up a relationship with Scotsman Mr. Morrison, chief librarian of County Antrim and based at Linenhall Street in Ballymena, entailed large and regular book orders and deliveries of same once or twice a week. In addition, we introduced toys for sale in the upstairs rooms of the bookshop and for a few weeks before Christmas, we had Santa Claus (Doreen's father) and many parents brought their children to him for their Christmas parcel.

Irish Research Council for Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences (IRCHSS)

Dr Kathleen McTiernan (Trinity College Dublin)

Dr Deirdre O'Donnell (Trinity College Dublin)