Mural Olive Mason Cuthbert, a daughter, a sister, a mother of ten, grandmother and great grandmother to many more, to many to count somedays. Who would have known that this woman of 84 would have lived such a long historical life? As a child I remember this funny English woman who had to have everything in proper line . . . or else! She was a fun loving person, but I would have never guess she lived in a time of hard times and no smiles. This is her story.
Mural was born on Thursday, June 16th 1927. She was born in the Collins Maternity Home, Sherwood, Nottingham, England. She was the second daughter to Jenny West and Arthur Close Mason. She like any little health girl, started to grow up, go to school, make friends, buy sweets, get the flu, and fall in love for the first time. When asked about the first boy she had a crush on she said this. “Ken Taylor (a dear friend of mine) came up with a new boy and said, “This is Cuth.” And my heart missed a beat. Derek Cuthbert was Dark haired and handsome, brown eyes and a shy smile. Tall, slim and wearing a navy belted raincoat with a scarf tied cravat fashion tucked inside his coat.” It’s quite amazing she remembered what he wore the first day these two kids met. They were only eleven to twelve years of age, and yet sparks flew. Their friendship grew over months, so did their love for one another. “All the girls wanted to go out with him, but I was the one he chose.” Although these two had become star lovers, troubles in Europe were worsening, although they were school children they were blissfully unaware of what was ahead.
War was declared on September 3rd, 1939, Mural was only twelve at the time, still just a schoolgirl. “ I remember many of my friends were convinced that the world would end the following week. The call-up of young men began immediately and many volunteered at seventeen. There were blackouts and restrictions, but life went on as normally as possible. Air raid shelters were built at the schools and many people had corrugated iron shelters called Anderson Shelters, Sunk into their gardens and covered with earth. My dad wouldn't have one, but Mrs. Bonnello, a widow next door did, and she said we could use it too. Dad reckoned you had as much chance of dying of pneumonia from going to the shelter in panamas as you had of being hit by a bomb, and he’d prefer to die in bed in comfort if he had too.”
Air Raids started and ‘dog fights’ took place in the skies between the English spitfire planes and the German fighter planes. One time, while at school, Mural was in the playground when action started above their heads. Everyone started to scram and run for shelters. To keep clam in shelters, the children would sing songs and most of the time it would help. Afterwards the children went around the playground picking up shrapnel that was still hot, and thinking how lucky they were alive.
Mural gave this account: “I remember very clearly sitting by the radio listening to Winston Churchill give his famous speech about ‘We will fight them on the beaches, we will fight them in the streets . . . I can promise you nothing but blood, sweat and tears.’” This inspired many of the English and they had become determined to do whatever they had to.
In 1944, Derek Cuthbert volunteered at seventeen of age, for the Royal Air Force. He was originally accepted for Air Crew, but later Derek failed the eye test for pilot because he then wore glasses, but he was giving another option of going down the mines as a “Bevan Boy” transferring to the army of R.A.F. Intelligence. After basic training at Arbroath, Scotland, he was sent to the College of Oriental and African studies at London University to take a short course in Japanese.
On Aug 16th 1944, Derek and Mural had become engaged. During their courting days, Derek would often walk Mural to work in the mornings and then pick her up in the afternoons. “We made lots of plans on what our future would be and he wrote poems, brought me flowers and bars of chocolate. When he left for the air force I spent my time writing to him every day.” These two both knew that once Derek finished his Japanese course he would be sent overseas immediately. So they asked for permission to be married before he went. “My mother was doubtful saying we were too young and what if he didn’t come back? Fortunately we found an unexpected ally in Jean (Mural’s older sister) who remarked, “Oh let them go ahead, they were born under a lucky star, they’ll be alright.”” So her parents agreed and they set the date for May 12th 1945. The War in Europe ended May 8th 1945. V.E Day and everything came to a standstill. “There was great rejoicing in the streets, shops and factories closed down. Everyone was relieved and happy and ready to celebrate, but the war in the Far East was still on, and that was where Derek was going”
The only way to get clothes at this time were by what was called “clothing coupons”, it is the same as food stamps, just for clothes. Mural had no spear coupons for a wedding dress, however lace was not on coupons, so she decided on a lace wedding dress and wore a white satin nightgown underneath.
“Mother said I would never get Dad into church, but I stayed up one night and asked’ Dad will you give me away when I get married?’ rather gruffly he replied ‘Course I will, who else would do it?” He was very proud when we walked down the aisle together.”
It was raining that morning, May 12th 1945, and continued as Mural and her Father got to the church. But she records “As Derek and I came out together after the ceremony, the sun appeared and continued to shine all afternoon. In fact it was the hottest May 12th on record.” Two days after the wedding Derek went back to his unit and soon flown out to India.
Mural went back home with her parents and older sister, but things were not the same as before. “I was planning, working, saving and making things for our future home together. I wrote to Derek every day and sometimes twice a day. What did I find to write about? I just wrote as if I were talking to him. I started numbering our letters because there would be weeks when I wouldn’t receive anything, and then three of four would arrive together. It was a record when Derek’s mail caught up with him in Hong Kong, and he received about sixty two letters over two days . . .I used to stand outside at nights looking at the moon and stars and wondering if Derek could see the same constellations, and whispering my love for him on the wind hoping he would her them.” In Aug 1945, American’s dropped the Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Derek had then became involved in guiding the Japanese planes in for their Generals to sign the surrender pact. Name the began to be drawn to see who could go home on mid-tour leave. Derek’s turn finally came in November, and with over joy-meant, Mural and Derek began to count the days to his return.
Mural gives this account on his return home; “I remember very vividly waiting for him at the Midland Station. The train he had said to meet came and went, lots of servicemen got off, but no Derek. I walked up and down the platform and up the stairs to the entrance, but no sign of him anywhere. I asked a porter when the next rain was due in from London and he said ‘Not until eight o’clock’ so I thought I’d just wit there even though it was another two hours. Something later I saw a man in F.A.F uniform run down the stairs as the far end of the platform, say something to another porter then turn and run back up. I couldn’t see his face properly in the lamplight, but I started to run after him and follow him where he was getting into a taxi. I still could not see his face, but I tapped him on the shoulder and said ‘Derek?’ Immediately he spun round, we looked at each other and fell into each others arms for a long embrace.”
These two were so happy and promised never to leave each other sides again. And they never did. Anywhere one of them had to go, the other one followed. From Africa to Scotland, these two travelled and saw the world together. On April 7th 1991, they stopped following each other, for Derek Cuthbert slipped into a coma and passed away. Mural is still alive, keeping everything in order. She is still strong, in a struggling world.
The story of Derek and Mural Cuthbert is one that many would not believe. The belief in love, true love has seemed to vanish in this world and lust and greed has taken it's place. I adore their story and the many more stories they shared together. Love is real, love is good, love hurts, love is healing. . . Their story is all of Love. "The course of true love never did run smooth"
May you all find your true love.
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