From research carried out by Barrie:

Florence Ivy Naylon (known as Ivy), b 21.4.1904, d 9.6.1994, married Frank William Skelcher, and had two brothers Richard William (Bill) and Alfred James (Alf).  Barrie was their only child.  Her parents were Richard Naylon (3/10/1878-10/10/1952) and Florence Bevans, who were married in 1904, and lived in Birmingham.

After her own marriage, she and Frank bought a house in Scribers Lane, on the outskirts of Birmingham, an adventurous move at the time for a working class couple. They later rented a larger house, but this was requisitioned for use by the Barage Balloons team in WWII.  Following Frank's career, they then lived in Solihull and Brookman's Park (London).  After Frank's death she moved to be near Barrie and his family.

At some time before she married, she was trained in Morse code and worked as a telegraghist, retaining this knowledge all her life. She was naturally vivacious, and enjoyed socialising and ballroom dancing.  In retirement, she and Frank enjoyed holidays on cruise ships. 

THE NAYLON FAMILY

Back in the 1940's, Richard Naylon was working as a highly skilled pattern maker for Birmingham Small Arms Company.  His father had been in the army.  He lived at 133 Heather Road, close to the factory, and next door to no. 135, where his wife's sister and husband lived (Joe Freeman and Emily).

Richard's parents were Patrick Naylon (b probably 1844), and Susan nee Ashton (married 13/4/1877).  They had two children, Richard and Susan.

Patrick enlisted in the army in 1865 at Eccles, and had been a labourer, signing his papers with an 'X'.  He served in Egypt several times, Gibralter and the East Indies, ending his service in 1886.

The story is he later went to work at the Royal Mint, Birmingham, but fell asleep while on duty and lost his job.

Before this the trail grows fainter.  Little is known about Richard Naylon, Patrick's father. There is speculation that they came over from Ireland during the potato famine, in the years 1845/6.

THE BEVANS FAMILY

Florence Bevans, Ivy's mother, was born 7/11/1878 in Birmingham.  She died 16/10/1966, living at the time at 133 Heather Road, Birmingham.  Her parents were James George Bevans and Elizabeth Jane (nee Dorrell).  She married Richard on 4/8/1904, and had 3 children:  Florence Ivy, Richard William, and Alfred James.

Her sister Emily lived next door to Florence, but her other two sisters, Gertrude and Elizabeth did not marry and lived together as spinsters.  133 Heather Road was reasonably well appointed, with a lounge for 'Sunday Best', a copper cauldron for the washing, and a radio.  It also had a treadle sewing machine, and it is likely that Florence had worked as a seamstress before marriage. [We now know that the 1911 Census records her occupation as 'machinist' and Richard as 'Engineering' - Angela]

James George Bevans (b. 24/6/1848 in Somerset), married Elizabeth Jane Dorrell (b.11/1/1847 in Birmingham), and had seven children:  William J, Gertrude (Annie G), Elizabeth C, Emily R, Florence, Edith and Matilda. William married and had Albert, and Emily married Joe Freeman but had no children; Edith married S Parnell; Matilda died aged 21 years.   According to his marriage certificate, James was a Carriage Painter. [He appears in the 1881 Census, but not 1891, where Elizabeth is listed as head of household, and occcupation Charwoman - Angela.]

James' father was George Thomas Bevan (b. c1823), and his mother Catherine (b. 1826).  George's occupation was listed as Artist, and his father, James Bevans, as Ship Builder.  George married Catherine Bevan 5/7/1847.  Her father William Bevan was a Land Surveyor, and the marriage witnessed by James Bevans and Elizabeth Jane Bevans.