Hello, My name is Elizabeth Tyrrell and I authored my first book, called 'Down Windsor Way' during the lockdown in 2020. Having been married to William, my husband of 51 years and yes I was a teen bride, I learned much about the time that he and his brothers spent in the care of Barnardo’s. 

I have spent the past five decades as a perpetual student as well as enjoying a full time academic career in the Chemistry/Pharmacy department at Kingston University (London). In 2013 I took early retirement, as Professor of Medicinal Chemistry, in order to complete my studies in Theology before becoming a Reader in our Church. Since then I have completed an MA degree in Theology (2019) from the University of Chichester. It certainly hasn’t been a quiet retirement for me and that’s the way I like it. 

Unfortunately I was one of the many labelled as severely vulnerable during the lockdown and I realised that unless I put pen to paper now all of my husband’s cherished anecdotes and memories might be lost for ever. That was my rationale and I intend to stick with it like a Jack Russell terrier to a rag doll.   

As you will read, William lived his first eight years of his life under the care of Barnardo's and his narrative and anecdotes have formed the nostalgic and often humorous backdrop to our first book. William has a wide range of interests including a love of photography, history, clocks, drawing and music. 

I guess you might say that we have never let the grass grow under our feet but to be honest with you we both reckon that if you have a passion for something we then you should get on and do it, even if it takes precisely 51 years to achieve. 

We both hope that you enjoy our first book and thank you for having the interest to look us up. It is our wish that you enjoy sharing in William’s early life and I can assure you of one thing, and that is, you are very unlikely to ever read such a catalogue of 1950s pranks and nostalgia again.