The Leas School,  Hoylake

Phyllis was a nurse in France during the Great War. And she spent time in Paris after the war; so she was well equipped to take up a career teaching French.

Phyllis's teaching career at The Leas (1925-56) is well covered by an appreciative editorial in the school magazine.

Phyllis Williams was part of a decades-long association between The Leas and the Williams clan: her father was Septimus Russell Williams (1865-1947), a marine insurance broker. As his name indicates, Septimus had several siblings, many of whose descendants had some connection with the school. Phyllis's mother was Mary Roberta Atherton, daughter of James Heys Atherton (1827-1877), accountant; Mary's younger sister Dora Elizabeth Atherton married Septimus's younger brother Octavius Frederick Williams, known as Freddie.

Phyllis's youngest sister, Barbara Jocelyn Atherton Williams, was better known to the school as Mrs Tobey, school secretary (1946-55), whose son Richard Tobey attended The Leas. Like Phyllis, Mrs Tobey was wished an appreciative farewell in the school magazine.

Phyllis's first-cousin Gerald Hassal Williams (1892-1965) was the father and grandfather of many Leasians: his sons Duncan, Malcolm and Brian; Duncan's sons Michael, David and Richard; Malcolm's sons Andrew, Gordon and Bruce; and Brian's son Christopher.

Phyllis's double-first-cousin Kathleen Margaret Williams (1896-1979) was the mother and grandmother of several Leasians: her son Fred Ashcroft (who taught at The Leas 1963-85), and his sons Peter and Bill; and Fred's younger brother Tony.

And Phyllis's first-cousin Paul Sidney Williams was grandfather to two Leasians: Charles and Tudor Williams.

There may well be more Leasian connections. It will take further research to discover whether Phyllis was the first of this Williams family to be connected with The Leas.