Catalogue

Interview
304, WF/011/H11
Westfield Collection

Speaker: Laker, Francis, 1926 - , Interviewee, Female,
Speaker: Hyde, C., Interviewer, Male

Summary of interview item: Recalls early family life on farm, various moves and father leaving. Mentions the community in Hill View, Hinckley. Talks about going to school at Trinity and Westfields schools and recalls many teachers' names. Recalls playing in the fields, visiting the cinema for one penny, attending St Paul's church and going on Sunday school treats. Describes scrumping for apples, running away, and absence of heating upstairs in the home, as a child. Recalls starting work on fourteenth birthday making men's long johns at Simpkins in Trinity Lane. Describes Second World War starting, how the war made people mix more, going out with American soldiers. Labour Exchange sent her to work on the railways, where she worked until 1949,and how she enjoyed this work. Describes seeing the King and Queen on a visit. Talks about Hinckley before the Second World War, and the shops there and what has changed. Recalls getting married, her and her husband's work and having her children. Recalls some of the local vagrants and other local personalities. Mentions having ringworm as a child, various natural remedies, and childbirth. Recalls the celebrations at the end of the war, food and clothes rationing, and public houses in Hinckley, the George and the Victoria.
Place of birth: Hinckley, Leicestershire
Education: Trinity school, Hinckley; Westfields school
Marital Status: Married, Children: Sons: 2 Daughters: 2
Father's Occupation: Labourer
Mother's Occupation: School cook
Location: County: Leicestershire
Location: Town/Place: Hinckley
Periods Covered: 1930s, 1940s,
Language: English

Recording Date: 4/5/1994
Playing time: 1 hr
Access Restrictions: Full clearance Item Copyright: HOHP
Summary: Yes
Transcription: Yes
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.