Catalogue

Interview
605, CH/100/0115
Community History Collection

Speaker: Freeman, Les, 1909 - 0, Interviewee, Male,
Speaker: Hyde, C, Interviewer, Male

Summary of interview item: Talks about growing up in Belgrave, Leicester. Describes family, father's death & funeral, local pawn shop, home, living conditions, thatched cottages on 'The Green', various areas of Belgrave. Comments on local poverty. Detailed anecdote of police raiding local gambling, comment on Belgrave's nickname, 'Dummytown', mention of childhood pranks, local character, 'The Colonel'. Mentions signing on, the means test, childhood games, mother getting him a job at TG Hunt's, suffering from tuberculosis (TB), daughter's diptheria. Describes local waits, various celebrations. Impact of daughter's death explained, comment on health provision, breif mention of local entertainment. Talks about World War II (WWII), reaction to bombing, theft of rations by evacuees, affluence after war. States Belgrave saw changes in 1950s; memories of first radio, first television; opinions on changes in Belgrave.
Place of birth: Belgrave, Leicester
Education:
Marital Status: , Children:
Father's Occupation: Clicker
Mother's Occupation: Midwife
Location: County: Leicestershire
Location: Town/Place: Leicester
Periods Covered: 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s
Language: English

Recording Date: 12/3/1993
Playing time: 1 hr 30 mins
Access Restrictions: Full clearance Item Copyright: CHCL
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.