SIX SETS OF TWINS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23175, 22 October 1938, Page 14

SIX SETS OF TWINS

WANGANUI MOTHER FIVE PAIRS STILL LIVING DAUGHTERS FOLLOW EXAMPLE [by TELEGRAPH —OWN correspondent] WANGANUI, Friday Tlio world record as a mother of twins, which has boon claimed on behalf of Mrs. 11. M. Gilbert, West Croydon, London, who gave birth to her fourth set in 1928, is eclipsed by Mrs. I?. Hammond, Surrey Road, Springvalc, Wanganui, who has had six sets, five of whom aro alive to-day. Of Mrs. Gilbert's twins oidy three sets aro living. Interviewed, Mrs. Hammond proudly showed photographs. "This is how wo started off," she said, and handed over a, family group of five, consisting of ihe father, mother, eldest girl and boy twins, George and William. "This is how we wero two years ago at Christinas," said Mrs. Hammond, showing a much larger family group. The first set of twins were girls, who died while in infancy; the pecond set, George und William, now aged about 35, are in Australia; the third set, Richard and Emma, are in Wanganui; the fourth set, John and Charles, of whom John is in Wellington and Charles in Wanganui; the fifth set, Alexander and Annie, both of Vi anganui; and the sixth set, Ivy and Jim, both of Wellington. The youngest child is David, a lad of 16, who is living with his parents. Two of Mrs. Hammond's daughters have given birth to twins.

Mrs. Hammond has lived in Wanganui all her life. Her husband is employed on tho Wanganui Wharf. Mrs. Hammond said she was glad to have had such a largo family, hut she seemed to have had more than her share of children's illnesses like mumps and measles.. The five sets of twins living were all grown up and well. The Christmas gathering two years ago •was tho greatest joy she had ever experienced.