Reference
X214/12/43
Title
Transcript of interview with Kenneth Whittington, born 25 April 1941 in Lewes, Sussex.
Date free text
1941- 5 Nov 2008
Production date
From: 1941 To: 2008
Scope and Content
At the age of about 6 months moved to Victoria in London; moved again at age 2 and moved to a council flat in Lea Bridge Road, London later.
Mother died when Kenneth was aged 7. Father was born in Greenwich. During the war; he was based at Newhaven, operating the cranes loading war supplied onto the boats. After the war he worked in dispatch. He died in 1980, aged 76. Recalls mother doing dressmaking.
Has an older brother who was 9 or 10 when mother died. Her death had more effect on his brother than on Kenneth.
Describes the flats, estate and community in Lea Bridge Road.
Childhood memories; friends, games played, scrumping etc.
School days; getting locked in the toilets; playing Joseph in Nativity play. Did not like school; bullied at junior school; school trips with a particular teacher.
Played both football and cricket for secondary school.
School holiday activities; camping, football, fishing, going to the funfair.
Left school aged 15. Drifted between jobs; had started an electricial apprenticeship, but gave it up after a few weeks. Worked in a wine cellar for about 5 years. Aged about 23 went back to doing electrical work.
Mention of Suez crisis, Korean War and Aiden.
Recalls watching first football match - Fulham against Sheffield Wednesday.
Moved to Luton as could not afford a house in London, and did not have enough points to get local authority housing. Moved to Luton in 1974.
Recalls drinking at the Fox in Dallow Road.
Describes job at Vauxhall Motors. Alternated between day and night shifts on the assembly line.
Reference to eastern European labour in Luton; change in culture since Kenneth arrived in 1974 - more multicultural.
Present job is as electrician with Luton Borough Council. Took retirement from job at the Post Office and has a Post Office pension, so would like to work part time.
Worked for the Post Office for 24 years; describes job as a technician.
Details of children and grandchildren.
Level of description
item