My Family Tree

After marrying, demobilisation from the British army, and returning from Germany after the war, Alexander Nimmo and Annelore Prüter went to live in 6 Monktonhall Terrace, Musselburgh with Alexander's parents (or possibly with his uncle Alexander Williamson and Jean Fairgrieve at 3 Monktonall Terrace). Andrew Harvey Nimmo was born there. They moved to Taunton in about 1948 to live in rented accommodation at 6 Cheapside, Taunton, after Alexander had been given a job as cartographic engraver for the Admiralty in Taunton. Thomas Murray, an acquaintance from army days, gave him the tip about the job, which he took after completing his apprenticeship, interrupted by the 1939-45 war, with John Bartholomews mapmaker in Edinburgh.

The rental contract for tthe Cheapside appartment turned out ot be an unjust nightmare. The contract was made with the firm of Heath & Heather, proprieters of the shop below. The flat was in desperately in need of repair, including such hazards as rotten floorboards in the rooms and staircase. When the young family were offered accommodation for government workers on the newly built council estate (Lane Estate) at 21 Bramley Road, they moved there. They were then presented with a bill from Heath & Heather for £200 for repairs to the flat that were claimed to be responsibility of the tenant. Alexander contested the bill in court. The case was taken by QC to high court and Alexander won the case. Not long thereafter, the law was changed, ensuring that tentants should not be responsible for enhancing by refurbisment the condition of rented accommodation. During their tenancy at Cheapside, the flat above them was sub-let to a Mr. George Tanner.

It was also during their tenancy at Cheapside that HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh visited Taunton, staying at the County Hotel, overlooked directly by the Cheapside flat balcony. When HRH came out on the Coutly Hotel balcony to greet the people, the Nimmo family were obliged, for secuity reasons, to remain inside their flat with the windows closed.