Family Memories Birmingham Overview

Move to Birmingham

An entirely different life was now our lot. We were very poor but my brother had just left college, was now teaching and lived at home with us. My education continued at Handsworth Grammar School. It was bewildering; no trees, fresh acquaintances, streets and tram-cars. Fortunately there were fields within easy distance which helped to fill the lack of former open spaces.

Two years at Handsworth Grammar School brought the years to 1929.

Matriculation Certificate. My main object now was to get a job in order to start the long pull back to less difficult times. But it was the time of the great Depression. There were no jobs and it was hopeless to attempt to enter something of your own choice. Until the 5th November 1929, hanging around had to be endured and then the City of Birmingham wanted a few junior clerks for their Electric Supply Dept. I was fortunate and started with them at a wage of 15/- (fifteen shillings) per week. The wage was poor but increased each year until age 29 when payment became £3.5.0 (three pounds, five shillings) per week, about equivalent to a craftsman's wage. Beggars could not be choosers, so I was thankful to be earning something at long last.

At my age of 21, my brother left home to get married. The loss of his contribution to home expenses threw us back but taking in a lodger helped. Once more finances were low. With the years, a gradual improvement took place and by my age of 24/25 a little became available for self-indulgence. I joined the Cyclists Touring Club, and a well known Cricket Club. I built a greenhouse and took an allotment. The oak wheelbarrow my mother gave me on this occasion is still used. We had holidays which with my future wife were an indescribable delight. Hours at work were long and arduous but at long last we had made some headway.

Then at my age of 27 the 2nd World War was declared and on the 5th November 1940 I commenced Army Service which was to last a further five years to my age of 33.

My civilian work was with Wages and such-like matters. I had hoped for a change but eyesight was a deterrent and to my disgust I was drawn into the Royal Army Pay Corps.

So for the next five years hopes of promotion, study, and all civilian matters were suspended, excepting that on the 17th January 1941 my marriage to Charlotte Rebecca Bowles took place.

I had met her at St. Andrew's Church, Handsworth and together we had a glorious companionship until the circumstances of the War upset matters. Fortunately we could still be together for two or three years as billeting out was possible and she could therefore join me.