Interview with female secretary to Managing Director of Eastwoods, brick firm

  • Women's Voices and Life Writing
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Title
Interview with female secretary to Managing Director of Eastwoods, brick firm
Interviewer
Semeraro, Carmela
Document Type
  • Oral history Recording
Date
26 Nov 2001
Interview Date
26 Nov 2001
Biography
The interviewee was born on 3 April 1915 in Michigan, U.S.A. to British parents. She moved back to Northampton, England, when she was 7 years old. At a young age, she had an American accent which was unusual at the time in England. Her father was a "foot-loose" traveller of the world, working in most continents. Her mother joined him in the U.S.A. but after 12 years they had to return because the harsh winter climate led to her mother's ill health. She lived with her grandparents in Northampton, on return. She would take a scholarship at 11 at Northampton School for Girls then to a business college where she trained to be a Secretary. She then worked briefly for building society before volunteering for the Royal Air Force at the commencement of the Second World War, 1939, where she became a Confidential Clerk to the Commanding Officer at the Wing. After the Second World War, she briefly worked for a Northampton clothing firm before moving to Bedford where she became personal secretary to the manager of iron works for 3 years. She would then move to Eastwoods (a brickmaking firm) as Secretary to the Managing Director at Kempston Hardwick for 25 years. She retired after collecting 25 years of service and watched and cared for her disabled mother.
Length (minutes)
63
Copyright and Source Archive
Material sourced from Bedfordshire Archives and Records Service