Our Families

Barry's Family.

I was born out of wedlock in Birmingham on 7th Oct 1939. In later years I discovered that my fathers name was Wilf Batten and when I was born he was already married and had other children. Although he died around 1990 there must still be living relatives somewhere. My mother married Bill Ray who was in the RAF but sadly his plane was shot down by Germans in world war 2 and he was reported as 'missing presumed dead'

Mom then married Harry Hyett and I was formerly adopted and had my surname changed from Russell to Hyett on 20th July 1945. My early upbringing was at my Granparents house at 12 Barn Close in Stirchley. I was later destined to return to live with them for a number of years until I married. Below are a selection of photos from those early years until my 20's

		Left: My first Stepfather Cyril (Bill) Ray who was killed in world war 2 whilst on rear gunner duties in a Lancaster bomber. Middle: My great Grandma Round on her 80th birthday with Grandma Russell . Right: Back row> Cousin Pauline, Aunty Ethel, Myself, Grandma Russell, Aunty Doreen. Front row> Aunty Lou, Jill Kelsall, Aunty Jean with Stephen, and Aunty Mabel.
Right: Some of the Russell Clan outside Hazelwell Church. L-R: Aunty Mabel, Aunty Doreen, Uncle Fred, Aunty Gwen, Aunty Ethel with Cousin John in front, Grandad Russell, Cousin David, Uncle Frank with Cousin Graham in front, and Cousin Michael. Far right: My second stepfather Harry Hyett in Brighton Athletic Football Team. To his right is Ron Thompson whos cousin was the famous Billy Wright. Harry also played for B'ham City Transport Team and was on the books at Northampton Town FC.
	On the left is myself with Aunty Jean and Uncle Bert Kelsall. Next to this is a photo of Uncle Jack and Aunty Joyce. On the right I am with Mom and Grandma Russell . This photo was taken on Boxing Day 1988 just 6 wks before Grandma passed away.

I married at 26 and had 2 children, Julia and Richard. Julia has three children; Liam, Laura, and Amie. Richard has one daughter, Emily-Rose. Although I have divorced and re-married twice, there are no more children of my own from these marriages but I am very close to Jean's family. You can see photos of Jeans family on the other Family page. I have two sisters, Pat and Carol, and a brother, Malcolm. Apart from Malcolm all my family are still in the Birmingham area.

	Left: Richard and Julia in Devon when younger, and Richard with daughter Emily-Rose (and grandad!) Right: Julia 7 weeks after the birth of Liam, who weighed just 30oz at birth. 15 years later, a web-cam shot.
	Left: 1. Sisters Carol and Pat   2. Brother Malcolm.  Both photos taken Feb 1990 at our wedding   Right: 1. Grandaughter Laura.   2. Grandaughter Amie