Laura Honore’s began in 1940 on the island of Montserrat in the West Indies, she grew up in a large, close-knit family. Her parents, a labourer father and housewife mother, raised her alongside nine siblings, five boys and four girls. As the middle child, Laura played a significant role in looking after her younger siblings while her mother took care of the household. The family, though not affluent, maintained a self-sufficient lifestyle. They raised livestock, such as chickens and rabbits, and grew their own food, with no supermarkets to rely on.

Her community, though supportive, was small and isolated. The town was a place where women would sew their clothes, often relying on the skills of local seamstresses. Laura recalls that her mother made weekly trips to town, but these were limited and structured, leaving little room for roaming or leisure. As children, their time was largely spent in the home, with school and chores taking priority over play.

In her late teens, Laura left Montserrat to move to England. Her family initially settled in Edmonton, London, where she began a new chapter of her life. Reflecting on her upbringing, Laura acknowledges the loss of many cultural traditions. With African roots erased by the horrors of slavery, she believes her Caribbean heritage was formed through resilience and adaptation, rather than through the preservation of specific customs.

After arriving in England, Laura pursued a career as a typist, having been trained as a stenographer in her youth. The skills she gained enabled her to find work as a junior secretary, which she did as a temporary position. She also took night classes to enhance her office skills, proving her commitment to personal growth. This period of her life was not only about professional development but also about adjusting to a new culture and environment.