Women born in England in the 1880s could expect little if any education, no rights to the custody of their children, and no right to vote. They had only recently been given the right to control their own earned income and property. They usually stayed at home until they found a husband, unless forced to work to support family members. Lysbeth rebelled against all of this and set off alone for Australia where she worked on the outback for three years, returning to England during WWI. She worked first as a nurse's aide, then trained as a physical therapist, after which she practiced in clinics in London. During the last part of the war, Lysbeth fell in love with a young army officer who later joined the British colonial service and was posted to Malaysia. After three years apart, they were married within a few hours of her arrival in Penang. Lysbeth and Ted lived in different parts of Malaysia and Singapore until he was taken prisoner by the Japanese in WWII. Lysbeth, who was in England with their three children at that time, returned to work and established a home for her family in London. Ted survived the war and they were re-united in London. A feminist before her time, Lysbeth believed women could achieve equality if only they were educated. She demanded - and got - the best that was available for her children, all girls. Despite dark periods in her life, Lysbeth remained an eternal optimist, whose energy and determination were infectious and raised the spirits of those around her.