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March 10, 2005
Mr God This Is Anna
I have been captivated by this book (Mr. God this is Anna by Fynn) ever since I read it several years ago. And about since that time I've often wondered who the author actually is/was. Up until now, my attempts to find the person behind the pseudonym went in vain.
Recently I discovered that both Fynn and the individual who wrote the foreword to Mr God this is Anna have passed away. However, on a message board someone seems to have found one of the settings in the book...
... the EAST LONDON CEMETRY GRANGE ROAD LONDON E13. The nearest train station is PLAISTOW. To enter you go through the iron gates Fynn mentioned. I'd say these have obviously painted since Anna's time. When you walk down the main drive there are a number of marble angels to your right. However you will come to a small stone cottage here you turn right. On your left is a few more angels but one in particular is I think the one Fynn refered to. When you consider the base it stands on plus the height of the statue itself it would easily be 12 foot or more. It holds a small bunch of flowers in it's left hand and seems to be bending slightly to put the flowers on the grave. I looked but could not find any grave that I could positively identify as Anna's. Of course it is over 60 years since Anna's death and the cemetry has no doubt been extended, but I think when you see it you can get a pretty good idea where Fynn was. Outside the cemetry grounds is a long cement/concrete wall. It surrounds a large open area but most significantly there is a mainline railway track. This I think is the cemetry wall where Anna showed Fynn how shadows move faster than light.
Since I just happen to be going to London myself, perhaps I shall see if I can make it to this particular locale.
Filed at 1:58 PM in well I think it's cool
Comments
:: Posted by Jassman ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.mennogirl.com/jenjie/nav-commenters.gif)
(August 4, 2005 8:07 PM)
Jassman - thank you so much for answering this question. His writing truly has had a profound impact on my life.
:: Posted by jenjie (August 6, 2005 2:48 PM)
Yea wish i could meet him. Anna's life inspires me, wish i had 1 such companion too.
:: Posted by Shazad (March 16, 2008 11:09 PM)
I was browsing and found this page. I was a boy at Finchden Manor and knew Sid Hopkins. I did not know any of this after I left in 1959. I remember him crawling but not walking. I suppose I would now like to know of anyone who knew me.
:: Posted by Andrew Spence (June 13, 2008 8:38 AM)
Mr God This Is Anna
I had the pleasure of knowing the author, real name Sid Hopkins, from 1964 until his death. At the time I first met him I was a troubled 14 year old referred to a therapeutic community, Finchden Manor, Tenterden, run by the visionary George Lyward. Sid was part of the Lyward household and offered support and friendship to myself and the other 50 or so adolescent residents.
Sid was brought up in the East End of London and for a while followed Oswald Mosely as a blackshirt. He played a mean boogy-woogy piano and loved to dabble in electronics and all sorts of electrical and mechanical gizmos.
For much of his adult life he was semi-crippled following a serious accident, and spent quite some years literally shuffling around on his knees due to spinal problems. Thankfully, as orthopaedic surgery techniques improved, he was able to walk eventually (with sticks) and ended up marrying his physiotherapist. Easy to imagine how his experiences and struggle contributed to the essence of 'Mr God ...'
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the opening of Finchden Manor (closed 1974) and old boys are making an effort to promote the life and legacy of George Lyward and those who worked with him. You might be interested to read 'Mr Lyward's Answer' by Michael Burn - an abridged version of which can be seen on
http://www.finchden.com/mla/mlach1.htm
In chapter two, Sid is introduced thus; "Sid was a rock. He walked across the courtyard, leaning on his stick; at one time, to please the boy who had given it to him, he wore a fez. He made jokes. If you died and were met by Sid, you would feel that all was well; if all was not well, at least you had the right companion."
Sadly, 'Fynn' is no more, but his memory lives on in his book and in the hearts and minds of those who knew him.
I hope this has been helpful.