The triplets' story

When Alice Holmes, Doris Kingston and Gladys Caress came into BBC Radio Leeds in June 2008 they were the oldest living triplets in the country. Their story was a fascinating one that touched many people.

Sadly Alice Holmes died peacefully, on Thursday 27 November 2008, aged 81 at Wheatfield's Hospice in Headingley. Claire Foster (Doris's grand-daughter) says:

"For us grand-kids it's like having three grandmas, the whole family is devastated at the loss of a much loved woman."

Alice, Doris and Gladys were identical triplets separated by just 20 minutes at birth. The triplets were born in South Elmsall, but moved to Leeds at two years old.

The triplets talk to Graham Liver, and reminisce about Beeston with Gareth Jones, from BBC Radio Leeds.

When they were born, back in 1927, triplets were so uncommon, that their father was given a 1 franc note for each of them by King George V - he bought a suit for the christening with it.

Their mother used to have to put different coloured ribbons in their hair to identify them.  They used to be dressed in the same clothes, and have always stuck to it but worn different colours.

The sisters
Alice - the comedian.  Had eight children. She met husband Maurice Holmes during a World War Two blackout when he shone a torch in her face and recognised her as "one of the triplets". They wed in 1949

Gladys - the baby of the trio. She's the quiet one. She has one son and twin grandsons

Doris - the bossy one (apparently). Has one daughter

Looking alike has caused relations and friends to occasionally misidentify the women over the year - which didn't always help their reputations!

The three sisters, started their working lives as dressmakers at a factory on Dewsbury Road. The site in Beeston has now been replaced by 43 flats, as part of the Beeston Hill and Holbeck regeneration.

The sister can fondly remember the area and have special memories of the care that was lavished on the homes, with the doorsteps been regularly scoured clean and the street swilled down to keep everything spick and span. To their regret few people even appear to sweep the street now.

As children the women remember their mother putting newly-baked breadcakes on the doorstep to cool down, and of course doors were rarely locked according to Alice, Doris and Gladys.

The sisters worked in a Beeston factory and when it came to entertainment the triplets were spoilt for choice with local dance-halls such as the Plaza and the Boston in easy reach.

(Edit:Ruby)