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The transcript is an interview with Violet Gregg as transcribed by Microsoft Word and summarised by Quillbot and ChatGPT and subject to errors.
Born on June 1st, 1907, in Ramsbottom, she attended St Andrew's School from the age of 3. She worked part-time at Peel Bridge Mill and later full-time when she married in 1932. She lived with her grandmother on Albert Street and experienced the Zeppelin raid during WWI.
During WW2, she worked in various shops, including a Creamery and Cashland Dairy. She also took trips to Ilfracombe and Loch Lomond by train, and walked to Southport and Holcombe Brook. Her son remembers his parents going to the cinema when he was very small and seeing "Three smart girls grow up" with Diana Durban.
She married Mr. Howard in 1932 at St Andrew's Church and had three children, one of whom died. After her husband's death, she worked occasionally at a bakehouse after the children went to school. Before marriage, she met her second husband, who was one of the last off Dunkirk for the Salvation Army serving food and drink. The marriage lasted 4/5 years until his death.
The first husband slipped on ice and dislocated his thumb while working on the railway. They grew potatoes and tomatoes and gave some to the vicars of St Andrew's. Rev. Williamson, who lived on Callender Street, was very nice and talked about Christian love. Rev. Carmellie, who lived on Albert Street, was a good speaker and wrote a book. Trams cost tuppence was a concern for her.
In summary, the text provides an account of the life of a woman who lived in various locations during the war, including her marriage to Mr. Howard, her experiences with the bombing incident, and her relationship with her second husband.
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Early Life:
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Born 1 June 1907 at 89 Bolton Street, Ramsbottom.
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Moved to Acre Street, attended St Andrew’s School.
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Could not attend Secondary Modern as she turned 11 too late (June instead of August).
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Work:
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At 12, worked half-time at Peel Bridge Mill while still in school.
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By 13, worked full-time; stayed until her marriage at age 25 (1932).
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Later worked in a bakehouse after her husband’s death.
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Family & Home:
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Lived in a two-bed terrace on Acre Street with an outside toilet.
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Also spent time with grandmother on Albert Street.
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First marriage (1932, St Andrew’s Church) to Mr. Howard – 3 children (one stillborn). Husband died after 7 years.
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Second husband was a Dunkirk survivor, marriage lasted 4–5 years before his death.
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War Memories:
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Childhood memory of Zeppelin raid during WWI.
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Rationing, sugar shortages, and queues during WWII.
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Stepson once took too much sugar.
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Knew people killed in bombing incidents (e.g., Richard Porritt).
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Social & Community Life:
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Shops: several Co-ops, dairies, creamery, and ice-cream sellers.
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Childhood trips to Ilfracombe, Loch Lomond, Southport, Holcombe Brook.
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Social outings included cinema and church trips (e.g., Mother’s Union to London).
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Grew potatoes and tomatoes, gave produce to vicars of St Andrew’s.
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Religion:
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Attended St Andrew’s Church.
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Remembered Rev. Williamson and Rev. Carmyllie fondly.
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Side/Time in minutes Content
A00 Born at 89, Bolton Street, Ramsbottom 1st June 1907
Moved to Acre Street, off Bolton Road West
Attended St Andrew’s School from aged 3 years
Aged 11 was unable to go to a Secondary Modern School because birthday was in June
and you had to be 11 years in August.
A:02 Aged 12 halftime school/ half time work at Peel Bridge Mill, Kenyon Street
aged 13 went full time
left when she got married aged 25 (1932)
A:03 Acre Street – 2-bed terrace with outside closet. Men came to empty toilet. Front of Nuttall
Lane
A:05 lived for a while with grandmother on Albert Street as she was the eldest
WW2 –Zeppelin raid. 7/8 o’clock at night.
Father worked in Gas Works/ mother did work at one time
Aged 3 -Incident of being pushed down steps to Callender Street and Doctor
CROMPTON putting stitches in her hand. Doctor came to door to collect payment.
She saw Zeppelin floating over towards Holcombe. Heard a noise and later told there was a bomb in a field. Visited Holcombe next day. Not much damage to buildings
A: 13 Incident of stepson’s taking too much sugar (WWll)
Memories around WWI time. Queuing in Bridge Street. Prices 'weren’t so dear’ .
After her husband died her wages were £4 a week – to keep 4 of them (date not given).
Ration books in WW2.
A: 17 WWI -shops –2 C&ops on Bolton Street for food and furniture. 1 Co-op on Bridge
Street for clothing. All had 'divies’ .
Lots of other shops.
She helped a friend out at a Creamery laddling milk (where Threshers’ is now)
Best ice-cream available from John [?]Mofler’s. Cashland Dairy also sold icecream.
He took it round on a horse and cart.
A:21 Trips - Aged 7 (/9/4) went to Ilfracombe and Loch Lomond by train
Char-a-bancs to Southport – not comfortable
Trams to Holcombe Brook
A:24 Social life. Only went out at weekends with a friend.
Her son remembers parents going to the cinema when he was very small. They saw
'Three smart girls grow up’ with Diana DURBAN (about1937)
Went to Bury by train
Mother’s Union trip to London – since WW2. She nearly missed train.
Sailing on Lock Lomond
A:28 First marriage to Mr HOWARD in 1932 at St Andrew’s Church.
Weddings not a big affair then. Dress made by sister-in-law.
Married for 7 years. 3 children plus one born dead. After husband’s death worked
occasionally. It was hard- used to walk to save tram fares
Worked at bakehouse after children went to school
A:3 1 o 2 (before marriage).
As everyone left RC priest called people together and prayed. When prayers finished all planes had gone her husband saw a figure coming down. He said it was Jesus.
Bombing incident.
Story of Richard PORRFTT being 'blown to bits’ in WWII.
Aged 10/1 1 She took knitted gloves up to the PORRIFT’s house and was given chocolates by Mrs PORRITT.
Parties at end of war – she did not go.
A:34 Met 2nd husband when he helped out in garden of her bungalow.
He was one of last off Dunkirk. Salvation Army serving food and drink.
The marriage lasted 4/5 years till his death
Story of first husband slipping on ice and dislocating thumb. He worked on the railway.
Time of a lot of snow - up to window. He got a chill clearing the snow.
She went weaving down by the Station.
A:38 They grew potatoes and tomatoes. Gave some to vicars of St Andrew’s.
Rev. WILLIAMSON, there before Rev CARMYLLIE.
Rev WILLIAMSON- very nice and talked a lot about Christian love. Lived on Callender
Street
Rev CARMELLIE – very nice -good speaker- he wrote a book-lived on Albert Street
Trams cost tuppence
A:41 End of tape