Oral History collection: a) Alfred Banks; b) Mrs. Margery Knight (born a) 1888, b) ?) interviewed by Mrs M.G. Banks about a) Early memories, first job in London; work experiences in sawmill there; accident; hospital treatment. (All prior to WW1). b) Blitz in Swansea in 1941; early memories/general life; 'ration books'; getting married. c) (A. Banks). General experiences pre/post war (cont.).

  • This material is held at
  • Reference
      GB 216 TH 64A-B
  • Dates of Creation
      February 1978.
  • Language of Material
      English
  • Physical Description
      1 audio recording

Scope and Content

Track 1. [00:01:30] Work: First job at 14yrs of age, making cardboard boxes for cylinder records, on a three tonne press. [00:03:33] Work: Paid ten shillings a week. [00:08:10] Work: Went to London for a job as a dispatch clerk. [00:10:10] Work: Left there and went to work in a Bunsen Burner factory. [00:10:50] Work: Goes on to describe various jobs he did in London. [00:23:39] Work: Accident at work.Taken to hospital by horse over Wandsworth Common, given Ether, doctor sewed his finger back on, but it was unsuccessful as his hand truned sceptic. [00:28:45] Health: Description of hospital care for treatment of sceptic wound. [00:30:35] Social: The Broder Club, a Temperance Club for youngmen. [00:32:31] Social: Sneaking out of the Temperance club over to the Pub!.

Track 2. [00:00:36] Social: The Blitz in Swansea in 1941. [00:01:25] Community: Description of the fire that ensued, visible from Devon. [00:01:55] Community: Water main was hit by a bomb so shortage of water to put fire out. [00:02:44] Community: Ben Evans department store being hit. [00:03:04] Second World War: Reserved occupation (clerk in Weavers Flor Mill) as it was a food industry. [00:05:35] Second World War: Income into the house during the War. [00:06:55] Second World War: Rationing during the War - bought clothes coupons from a neighbour to buy a wedding dress. [00:07:55] Community: Knitting underwear, blankets etc. [00:08:25] Community: Description of white wedding, how clothes were obtained and honeymoon in London. [00:09:20] Community: Had to give in ration books to hotel after staying more than three nights. [00:10:50] Second World War: Listening to the radio for war news. [00:12:02] Community: Going dancing in the Patti Pavilion and the Pier.

Track 3. [00:00:45] Work: Continuation of track Track 1, London memories. [00:01:24] Work: Goint to work for Sopworths in 1914, aircraft manufacturers. [00:03:35] Social: This gentleman is being interviewed by his daughter and he gets very confused. [00:04:00] Work: Description of work at Sopworths. [00:10:20] Social: Met his wife in Sopworths, she worked in the paint shop. [00:11:45] Social: Met his wife as she had a flat tyre on her cycle. Daughter keeps correcting him. [00:16:10] Social: Daughter trying to get information about rations, food and clothes. Gentleman is very confused.