Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue
  • Reference
    Z1205/153
  • Title
    Male. Driver for Marston Valley brickworks. b. 21.03.1927 SIDE A (00 mins)Born in Luton. Father from Harpenden. Mother from Flitwick. Paternal grandfather sold fish form pony and cart. Maternal grandmother had four husbands. One ran a pony and cab service from Luton railway station. (05 mins)In the pre-welfare state period of the 1930s, when a husband died, it was vital to find another bread-winner to feed the children. The interviewee had his first job when he was 11 for two shillings (10p) on Saturdays and Sundays for his uncle. (10 mins)Father had grocery shop in Willerby Road, Luton. Also sold fish, brought by train from London, round villages in Harpenden area. Father worked for Inwood's grocery shop in Luton. During First World War (1914-18) he drove one of the first London buses taking troops to France. After the war, spent 18 months in Stoke Park hospital, suffering from shell shock. Never got over it. Became a salesman. (15 mins)Father died of cancer when his son was nearly 6. He and mother lived in one room. Had some National Assistance provided they did not have any luxuries items to sell, so they covered up their radio when the man came to give a payment each week.(Lived in Flitton) (20 mins)1 hundredweight of coal cost a shilling (5p) or so in 1930s. From 1937 believed at Pulloxhill. Mum died in 1953. He married in 1950 and went to live in Luton. Started school in Greenfield. Victorian woman schoolteacher used to teach a class of 40 to 50 infants and when she said she had eyes in the back of my head, he believed her. Learned to write in sand trays, first, with a writing stick. Wrote the letters of the alphabet. 25 mins)Pictures on the wall of animals or fruit beginning with a letter of the alphabet. Then you would move on to learn to write with a knib pen and ink. Ink was made up with water and crystals and the liquid filled the inkwells on their desks. The headmistress used the cane. Pupils had to doff their hat to her in the street. Their teacher just terrified them. (30 mins)Greenfield Mill. Used to fish for fun in river. (32 mins)End of Side A SIDE B (00 mins)Mill produced animal feed for farmers and chicken food. Thriving village economy. Moved about 10 until 11 at Pulloxhill. They were taught the importance of good conduct in life, honesty, personal appearance, civility, treating others as yourself. After leaving school, worked for uncle, who was a potato merchant, for 3 months. Then for Short Brothers at Barton airport, starting aeroplanes and fuelling them. Flying School then transferred to White Waltham, near Maidenhead. Was offered a job there at fourpence and a farthing per hour (1 ½ p per hour) but it was impossible to live on. (05 mins)Became a salesman for a potato merchant. Went into Army at 18, doing National Service. (10 mins)Used to attend a Clodhoppers Ball 9dance) at Silsoe. Families attended. Events had to be socials until 1939, if held in village halls. Small band of drums, piano and wind instrument (clarinet or saxophone) provided live music for dancing. Was in Home Guard in his late teens during Second World War. (15 mins)A cousin in St. Albans ran a cadet force and died during war, in Holland. National Service in North Africa and Middle East. (20 mins)Baghad experience. (25 mins)Palestine experience. After leaving army, eventually became a driver for Marston Valley brickworks. (30 mins)Pay, in 1950s was 2s. 2 ½ p per hour or £5. 2s.6d (£5.12 ½ p) per week. For 66 hours, Monday to Saturday, or £7.10s with overtime. Bought motorbike with the money he made in the army. (32 mins)End of Side B.CONTINUED ON CS153C2 Side A (00 mins) 11 hours a day, as a driver. Four-wheel lorry; one loads some days, two on other days. Drivers had to load their own lorry - sometimes it took all morning. Loaded by hand, using barrows. If loading faced bricks, you had to be more careful and used straw to pack them so as to avoid damage. Drivers had to supply their own maps. (05 mins)Delivered bricks as afar as south Wales for London Brick Company. In 1960 with an eight-wheeler, it took a day and a half or 2 days. Then a bonus scheme encouraged Cardiff in a day. Really enjoyed being a driver. Ministry of Transport men tried to catch you out, offending in some way. (10mins)Bought a television for £100 when the Queen was crowned in 1953. Helped to bring the Italian immigrant brickyard workers from the port of Folkestone. (15 mins)3 lorries took the Italian men's suitcases and coaches brought the young men to Bedfordshire. After the Italian immigrants, Asian immigrants started working in the brickyards, because it was had to get English men to do the work. None of the Italians or Asians became drivers. (20 mins)Drivers didn't earn as much as production workers. Difficult relationships when London Brick took over Marston Valley works. (25 mins)Poorly-made bricks being sold for hardcore. Insight into drivers' union meeting prior to pay negations, during downturn in brick industry. (32 mins)End of Side A Side B (00 mins)Closure of Marston Valley brickyards. He was transferred to Stewartby. (05 mins) Many drivers were pleased to take the redundancy money. Soon after transferring to Stewartby, he had a heart attack. The doctor said he should find a job doing "nothing". (10 mins)He was found a job as security policeman and railway crossing keeper by the brickyard. (15 mins)Hanson took over London Brick Co. He was given a staff position, aged 62, provided he was prepared to work whatever hours were required of him. (20 mins)He did that job for 5 years. His pay went up by £100 a week. £200 a week pay, for 7 days, 8 - o shifts and overtime. Plus BUPA medical insurance paid. Pay rises over the years brought it up to £300 a week. He then took early retirement. (25 mins)He got a job as a Motel manager for Grenada. (30 mins)His wife had a job as a school kitchen manager. Now they have a comfortable retirement thanks to good pensions. (32 mins)End of Side B END OF INTERVIEW. Original Interview 120 mins.
  • Date free text
    29 August 2002
  • Production date
    From: 1920 To: 2002
  • Reference
  • Level of description
    item
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