The Story of My Life
By Mary-Ann Russon
Kathleen Hinton's earliest memory is of her father dropping a present to her as he rode past on horseback during an army parade.
"He couldn't look down because he was sort of regimental, so he just dropped some biscuits on the ground. It's the sort of thing that sticks with you."
The 77-year-old mother of five was born in Swansea but moved around England whenever her father was transferred to different barracks, before settling in Southampton.
She was ten years old when World War II broke out, and like many people of her generation, has vivid memories of the events that took place.
"I caught meningitis when I was twelve and was in hospital for four months. I couldn;t go down to the air-raid shelters because I was ill, so they would put a stretcher over the bed to protect you from bits and pieces falling in the ward," she said. "That was a bit scary, but when you're young, you do as you're told."
Kathleen left school at 14 and stayed at home minding the house.
Her mother went out to work as money was short. Kathleen was 17 when she got a job.
Her many jobs have included working as a tea lady and as an office administrator for the social security office.
But regardless of resistance from family and friends, Kathleen never stopped working until the age of 63, even after having children.
Her husband left her for another woman when she was in her mid-40s.
"In those days you gave up work when you got married, and my ex-husband didn't want me to work, even while the children were at school. But I went against him and went, because when you're short of money, you have to. If there's a way of earning money, you do it."
News Assignment One
Kathleen Hinton's earliest memory is of her father dropping a present to her as he rode past on horseback during an army parade.
"He couldn't look down because he was sort of regimental, so he just dropped some biscuits on the ground. It's the sort of thing that sticks with you."
The 77-year-old mother of five was born in Swansea but moved around England whenever her father was transferred to different barracks, before settling in Southampton.
She was ten years old when World War II broke out, and like many people of her generation, has vivid memories of the events that took place.
"I caught meningitis when I was twelve and was in hospital for four months. I couldn;t go down to the air-raid shelters because I was ill, so they would put a stretcher over the bed to protect you from bits and pieces falling in the ward," she said. "That was a bit scary, but when you're young, you do as you're told."
Kathleen left school at 14 and stayed at home minding the house.
Her mother went out to work as money was short. Kathleen was 17 when she got a job.
Her many jobs have included working as a tea lady and as an office administrator for the social security office.
But regardless of resistance from family and friends, Kathleen never stopped working until the age of 63, even after having children.
Her husband left her for another woman when she was in her mid-40s.
"In those days you gave up work when you got married, and my ex-husband didn't want me to work, even while the children were at school. But I went against him and went, because when you're short of money, you have to. If there's a way of earning money, you do it."
News Assignment One
posted by Concertina @ 3:38 AM
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