Elsie Herron – Governor who wore her poppy with pride

Published: 17th June, 2011

FORMER school governor and Neighbourhood Watch member Elsie Herron has died, aged 83.

Elsie was born in Clerkenwell in 1927 to George and Nell Meeks, the second daughter of eight children. Like the rest of her generation she lived through the war years, being evacuated as a child to Cornwall. 

As soon as she was old enough, she joined the WRAF where she trained as a cook – going on to eventually become a corporal. It was while stationed at Fazakerly, near Preston in Lancashire, that she met and married her husband, Jimmy. 

Elsie enjoyed serving her country and even in old age wore her veteran’s badge with pride. 

She was a member of the Royal British Legion and each year could be seen locally selling poppies for Rememberance Day at King’s Cross station. 

Elsie’s married life began in a room of her parent’s house, moving to a couple of room in Claremont Square, Finsbury, before moving to her own flat on the Priory Green estate. 

She worked as a directory enquiry operator at the Bloomsbury exchange in Goodge Street, becoming the union rep.

Elsie always took a great interest in local politics and the rights of the underdog. 

Over the years she championed the case of many local people against authority and was well known in the area for helping people. 

Elsie was a school governor for a number of years, sat on the London Electricity Consultative Council, and was a member of the Islington Neighbourhood Watch Committee. 

She was an active member of the Priory Green Residents’ Association and then later the Peabody Group. 

She was also an adult literacy mentor – helping illiterate adults to read.

After a series of debilitating strokes, Elsie spent the last 19 months of her life in a care home. 

She had already been pre-deceased by her husband and her son James but she leaves three daughters, three grand-daughters and two grandsons, as well as two great-grandsons and one grand-daughter .

She will be interred at Honor Oak Crematorium on Monday July 4.
CATHERINE PUGH