We were delighted to welcome Barry Kochanek and his family to Freemen's on 26 June 2025 to unveil a commemorative plaque in honour of his mother.

Marjorie Kochanek (née Mordin) was born in 1920 in Streatham. Her father died when she was 9 years old and she was admitted to Freemen's School as an orphan together with her brother, James, and sister, Olive, by virtue of her father and great-grandfather being Freemen through Fishmongers Hall.

Marjorie's father, Edward, and his brother, Sidney, had attended The City of London Freemen's Orphan School in Brixton as a result of the premature death of their father. 

Marjorie attended Freemen's School from 1929-1936. She had fond memories of her time at school, particularly taking up the clarinet and tennis, and won many prizes. A special highlight for Marjorie was a school trip to London to watch King George V's Silver Jubilee in May 1935.

[add Marjorie 1935 photo here] If possible, add this wording under the photo: Marjorie in 1935 at a public swimming bath in Ashtead (top centre), with her sister, Olive (top right)

Like many of her peers, Marjorie became a shorthand typist after school, initially working for an insurance company off Oxford Street in London. She married Raymond Kochanek, a dentist, in 1941. Raymond passed away in 2006. Marjorie passed away on 31 December 2022, aged a little over 102 years. 

Marjorie's sister, Olive, joined the Women's Air Force and spent some of her time in the Cabinet War Rooms. 

[add Jim Mordin photo here]

James, Marjorie's brother, joined the territorials with the Surrey & Sussex Yeomanry and at the outbreak of the Second World War, he was despatched to France as part of the British Expeditionary Force. Jim was wounded in Dunkirk in 1940 and repatriated to Shotley Bridge Hospital in Durham. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for exceptional bravery. As the War continued, Jim was sent to both Africa and Italy. He passed away in 2011 at the age of 95.

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The memorial plaque in remembrance of Marjorie is located in the hedged garden between Main House and the swimming pool.