This is the title of the autobiography of Edna E Lunnon née Meek (1916-2007). She writes about her grandfather Joseph Pamment (1849-1932) as follows:

Grandfather (Joseph) was a hard-working and ambitious man, leaving home at 6:00 a.m. to walk four miles to work at Dulwich, labouring for twelve hours and then walking home again. Having made himself proficient in all trades relating to building, he eventually became a Master Builder and was responsible for the construction of a number of houses in Penge and Anerley which he then rented out to tenants. My grandfather was also a keen gardener, spending many hours after his retirement on his allotment growing potatoes, carrots, greens and some flowers, especially pinks.

In due course, Grandfather became a much respected member of the community. He was a Justice of the Peace, Chairman of the local Council and also of a charity called the Philanthropic Society which provided food, coal, clothes and rent money for the very poor. It was Grandfather's social conscience which prompted him to do so much for the Society as he believed in 'fair shares for all' and was a staunch Labour supporter and founder member of the Co-operative movement. The Philanthropic Society was, in fact, a privately run predecessor of today's nationalised Social Services.

Grandfather loved a game of cards - particularly Rummy - but would never play for money as such. Each player would put in 6d (2½p) in the 'kitty' and the winner would be bought a 'present' with the proceeds! Needless to say, he was also a teetotaller and no alcohol was allowed in the house.

It is understood that Edna engaged the services of a professional genealogist to track down a birth certificate for her grandfather Joseph Pamment and that he reported as follows:

Having looked through the appropriate index books I could find no Joseph Pamments registered in Newmarket, where his marriage to Elizabeth had been registered. I did notice that there were three births registered as "Male" i.e. the parents had registered the baby without deciding on a Christian name. I obtained the three birth certificates and found that one of them was the one I sought and it reads as follows: 'Born at 2:30 pm, on the 21st of January, 1849 at Isleham. Father, Joseph Pamment, Labourer. Mother, Mary Pamment (née Allington).' I noted that there was a time indicated as well as a birthdate, this usually indicates a multiple birth. I think it is reasonable to assume that Joseph was one of twins, perhaps with a poor life expectancy he was not named but registered.