Catalogue

Interview
1607, ES/03
em:Source Collection

Speaker: Scott, Madeline, 1935 - 0, Interviewee, Female, School teacher
Speaker: Morris, M, Interviewer, Female

Summary of interview item: Outlines family background, father being blacksmith at local coal mine, history of progress to home ownership, home, attitudes to gardens and allotments, in Hucknall, Nottinghamshire. Describes various early childhood memories of being on holiday at outbreak of Second World War, Anderson air-raid shelter in garden, father who was Special Constable, mother who sang in local choirs. Talks about being in dance troupe as child, teachers, songs danced to, makeup. Details Victory in Europe (VE) street party, strong impact of pictures of mass graves and Holocaust in newspaper. Discusses notions of enemies and allies during war. Mentions relatives in forces, local evacuees, crash at local aerodrome, barrage balloon coming down, Polish airmen, collecting money for charity, recycling clothes. Talks about bomb falling near Hucknall, running to Anderson shelter, siren suits, interior of shelter, sound of siren, shelter at school, reading in shleter, different types of gas mask. Describes blackout materials. Describes Spring Street School, incident at Christmas party indicative of parents' 'upwardly mobile' attitude. Talks about food on ration from local Co-operative shop, describes sweets and chocolate sent by uncle in army, food storage at home. Describes growing fruit and vegetables in garden and allotment. Mention of hawkers and gypsies, Warmers cake shop. Talks about childhood games, describing skipping rhymes. Mentions how Hitler caricatured during and after war. Discusses how to tell Allied and German aeroplanes apart.
Place of birth: Hucknall, Nottinghamshire
Education: Spring Street School, Hucknall
Marital Status: Married, Children:
Father's Occupation: Blacksmith
Mother's Occupation: Secretary; Model
Location: County: Nottinghamshire
Location: Town/Place: Hucknall
Periods Covered: 1930s, 1940s
Language: English

Recording Date: 26/6/2003
Playing time: 3 hrs 30 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 East Midland Oral History Archive Web maintainer This document has been approved by the head of department or section.