ABSTRACT
In 1902, when she was sixty-five, Elizabeth and James George Skelton Anderson retired from work in London to West Hill, Aldeburgh. At home she worked closely beside Skelton Anderson when he was re-elected mayor of Aldeburgh. He found jobs in Orient Line ships for many Aldeburgh boys, and on one occasion invited the entire crew of the lifeboat to visit a new Orient liner in the Albert Dock. By Skelton Anderson’s death the mayoralty of Aldeburgh fell vacant, and his term of office was served out by Elizabeth’s youngest brother, George Garrett, maltster of Snape. The Borough conferred distinction upon itself by electing Mrs Garrett Anderson mayor, but the Council quickly learnt that they would have to accept her upon her own terms. Elizabeth yielded to the charm of that slender figure, the transparent pallor, the violet eyes and marvellous speaking voice. While Aldeburgh looked on in horror, a women’s suffrage meeting was organized from Alde House.
