Catalogue

Interview
21, MA200/021/021
Mantle Oral History Project

Speaker: Woolley, Simeon, 1920 - 2003, Interviewee, Male, Engineer, plumbing and heating; Royal Navy Service
Speaker: Noble,L., Interviewer, Male

Summary of interview item: Describes early life including memories of his grandfather, father's work as miner and 1926 General Strike. Details home life and local community, particularly the different forms of transport and holidays. Also details childhood pastimes and sports, including swimming and boxing. Recalls plumbing apprenticeship before being called up for military service in the Royal Navy in 1941. Gives full account of experience in Navy during Second World War, including being aboard HMS Duke of York, taking Winston Churchill to USA. Describes escorting convoys between Iceland and North Cape and war in North Atlantic and Mediterranean. Describes marriage and demobilization and return to civilian work. Recalls birth of his son and starting up his own business. Describes the business and the transport in use when it was set up. Continues to portray the company, the work undertaken and the organisations that employed the company.
Place of birth: Ellistown, Leicestershire
Education: Ellistown primary school Broom Leys secondary school
Marital Status: Married, Children: Son: 1
Father's Occupation: Miner
Mother's Occupation: Elastic web maker
Location: County: Leicestershire
Location: Town/Place: Ellistown
Periods Covered: 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960's
Language: English

Recording Date: 14/1/1988
Playing time:
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.