Description
Object description
British schoolchild and student in London, GB, 1914-1917; civilian clerk with Royal Insurance in London and agricultural worker in Steeple Bumpstead, GB, 1917-1918
Content description
REEL 1 Background in London, GB, 1903-1914: family; education; reaction to outbreak of First World War, 4/8/1914. Recollections of period as schoolchild and student in London, GB, 1914-1917: recruitment offices; effects of war on daily life; food shortages and rationing; question of learning German language in school; attitude to anti-German propaganda; question of prospect of German invasion; role as all clear bugler with Boy Scouts; duties as volunteer at Guy's Hospital; sight of Imperial German Army Air Service Schütte-Lanz SL-11 airship brought down, 3/9/1916; attitude to danger; air raid drill at school; attitude to enlistment of school friends; movement of British Army troops through London; reason for leaving college, 1917.
REEL 2 Continues: Recollections of period as employment as clerk with Royal Insurance in London and as agricultural worker in Steeple Bumpstead, GB, 1917-1918: employment with Royal Insurance; volunteering to work on land and move to Steeple Bumpstead, 5/1918; work with flax production; story of being placed on charge for leaving dormitory; military discipline employed to volunteer agricultural workers; return to Royal Insurance in London; hours; description of office; staff; daily routine and duties; insurance policies provided against enemy action; journey to work; transport; use of women bus conductors; wages; meals and restaurants; mother's employment as tie maker; home visits by factory inspector; story of joining Laker Motor Car Co on Armistice Day, 11/11/1918; celebrations on Armistice Day, 11/11/1918; effect of demobilised men returning to work; talking to returning servicemen.
REEL 3 Continues: attitude to continuation of First World War and possible conscription; further comments on talking to returning servicemen; employment of war widows; type of vehicles produced at Laker Motor Car Co; post-war life and employment.