SIR: Regarding the letters 'Not The Only Baby'.

I, too, was born a Special BRI Baby. I was born on December 1, 1941. My mother Eileen Ellen Marsh (nee Smith), was admitted to the BRI for an emergency mastoid operation, but my mother said: "I can't possibly stay in hospital I'm expecting a baby on Christmas Day." "My dear," replied the doctor "if you don't have this operation there won't be a baby."

Shortly after the operation I decided to pay the world a visit. Quite a celebrity; no facilities for a new baby. So I, too, was a Matron's office baby.

Was I the first? Ann Langstaffe Brindle, daughter of Thomas Langstaffe Marsh.

Mrs A L Brindle,

Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.