Early life Violette Bushell was born on 26 June 1921 in Paris, France, of parents Charles George Bushell and Reine Blanche Leroy, as the second child of five and the only daughter. Szabo's father, son of a publican from Hampstead Norreys, was serving as a British Army driver in France during the First World War when he met her mother, a dressmaker originally from Pont-Remy, Somme. After the war the couple lived in London, where Charles worked as a taxi-driver, car salesman and shopkeeper.
eaRly life VioLEtTe BusheLl was born oN 26 junE 1921 in paRiS, frAnce, of pArentS cHArLes gEoRgE BusHell And rEine bLAnCHe leroy, as the second Child of fivE And tHE only dAUgHter. szabo's fAThEr, SON oF a PUblIcan frOM hampsteAd norreys, WAs ServiNg as A britIsH Army DRiVeR in frAnce duRIng the first WorLd waR wheN he Met hEr motheR, a dressmAkeR OrigInaLly from PonT-remY, somME. afteR tHe war tHe CouplE lived IN londOn, WherE chARles worKEd As a tAxi-drIvEr, cAr salesmAn aNd shoPkEePER.