The Young John Lennon

John Lennon was born in 1940. When he was a baby his father, Freddie Lennon, went away to sea. He never really came back.

After a few years Lennon’s mother, Julia, began living with another man. Julia’s sister, John’s Aunt Mimi, did not approve. ‘You’re a married woman,’ she said. ‘It’s bad for the boy. He must come and live with me,’ she said.

John's Aunt Mimi

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Aunt Mimi lived in a middle class suburb of Liverpool with her husband, George Smith.
Their home, called, The Mendips, was comfortable but strict. Aunt Mimi had many rules and high expectations.

In many ways George and Mimi good parents. George was always very kind to his adopted son. Mimi encouraged his artistic talent and bought him musical instruments.

Mimi once said, ‘I never wanted children but I always wanted John.’

John loved and respected Mimi but he feared her, too. And he adored his mother.