Julia Lennon (1914

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Biography

Julia Lennon was the mother of English musician John Lennon, who was born during her marriage to Alfred Lennon. After complaints to Liverpool's Social Services by her eldest sister Mimi Smith, she surrendered the care of her son to Mimi. She later had one daughter after an affair with a Welsh soldier, but pressure from her family made her place the baby for adoption. Later she had two daughters, Julia and Jackie, with John "Bobby" Dykins. She never divorced her husband, preferring to live as Dykins' common-law wife for the rest of her life.

Timeline

The story of Julia Lennon, told in moments.

1914 Birth

Born Julia Stanley in Liverpool. Youngest of five daughters. Free-spirited and musical. Played banjo and ukulele. Loved the pictures. Her family disapproved of nearly every choice she made.

Was being the free-spirited one in your family a burden or a joy? Did your family's disapproval make you more defiant? What did banjo and ukulele give you that respectability couldn't?

1940 Event

Gave birth to John Lennon during a German bombing raid on Liverpool. Her husband Freddie Lennon was away at sea. She later gave John to her sister Mimi to raise.

What was it like giving birth during a bombing raid? Was giving John to Mimi the hardest decision of your life? Did you believe Freddie would come back?

1956 Life

Reconnected with teenage John. Taught him banjo chords on her ukulele. He converted them to guitar. She encouraged his music when Mimi considered it a waste of time.

Did teaching John banjo chords feel like reclaiming something lost? Were you the parent he needed or just the fun one? Did encouraging his music feel like rebellion against Mimi?

1958 Death

Struck and killed by a car outside Mimi's house in Woolton. An off-duty police officer was driving. John was 17. He wrote "Julia" and "Mother" about her. The loss shaped everything that followed.

Does John's music carry what you gave him? Did you know in those last seconds on the road? What would you say to John about the songs he wrote for you?

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