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Interview
823, LO/187/138
Leicester Oral History Archive Collection

Speaker: Hopkins, Bert, 1897 - , Interviewee, Male, Pharmacist; Army service;
Speaker: Simpson, T, Interviewer, Male

Summary of interview item: Recalls apprenticeship at Wand's Chemist and eventual training as a chemist from 1913. Describes training and his work as a dispensing chemist, including drug preparation, treatments and cost of some drugs. Describes various people using the chemists, including drug mis-users. Recalls the fear people had of the Infirmary and practice of using the chemist rather than the doctor. Recalls the Spanish flu epidemic. Describes his military service, starting in the Scottish Horse Cavalry, during the First World War. Talks about his school education and interest in sport, in particular support of Leicester City football team. Mentions pharmacy cricket club and the pavilion at Victoria Park. Recalls bombing and conditions during the Second World War, including making up toiletries and other preparations. Mentions the homeopathic chemist in Leicester and compares chemist practice then with the 1980s. Returns to his army service during the First World War, when he was an officer's valet. Talks about horse riding, fox hunting and Leicestershire cricket. Recalls trips to London on the Great Central railway and outings to Skegness. Recalls various shops in Leicester and what has replaced them. Recalls the Pavilion Theatre, other theatres and cinemas, the skating rink and various public houses and coffee houses and restaurants in Leicester. Mentions seeing Reggie Mean fight Primo Carnera in London.
Place of birth:
Education: King Richard's Road boarding school; Alderman Newton school,
Marital Status: , Children:
Father's Occupation: Shoe worker
Mother's Occupation:
Location: County: Leicestershire
Location: Town/Place: Leicester
Periods Covered: 1900s, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s,
Language: English

Recording Date: 25/7/1985
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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