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Interview
1605, ES/01
em:Source Collection

Speaker: Gibson, Brenda, 1924 - 0, Interviewee, Female, Women's Timber Corps
Speaker: Morris, M, Interviewer, Female

Summary of interview item: Brief family background at Arkwright Street, Nottingham. Describes blow from teacher leading to St Vitus' Dance, developing Polio, being in Nottingham Children's Hospital. Explains how parents took over family coal business. Briefly describes home on Huntingdon Street. Describes how Second World War (WW2) affected education, entering Civil Service as clerk for Ministry of Food (MOF). Gives account of her traumatic birth. Describes learning facts of life from lantern show, starting menstruation, ignorance of girl at work who started periods, coping with endometriosis. Recalls declaration of WW2, anecdotes about air raids on Nottingham, mention of coal rationing, describes work at MOF. Describes joining Women's Timber Corps (WTC), missed chance to joining Entertainments National Service Association (ENSA). Details WTC training, training camp, working at Leaderflush Timber Company with Italian Prisoners of War, anecdotes about training. Talks about timber work such as bending timber, first posting as timber measurer, being classified as civilians rather than military, low pay, uniform, Women's Land Army meetings after the war. Mentions timbers needed for boats. Reflects that little has been written about Timber Corps. Describes Timber Corps badge and uniform.
Place of birth: Nottingham
Education: London Road School, Mundella School, Nottingham
Marital Status: Married, Children: None
Father's Occupation: Shopkeeper; Coal merchant
Mother's Occupation: Coal merchant
Location: County: Nottinghamshire
Location: Town/Place: Nottingham
Periods Covered: 1920s, 1930s, 1940s
Language: English

Recording Date: 27/6/2003
Playing time: 1 hr 50 mins
Access Restrictions: Full clearance Item Copyright: EMOHA
Summary: Yes
Transcription: No
Copies: Yes
Cross Reference:

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Last updated: 08/05/02
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