Eckersley, Kitty (Oral history)

British civilian widow of soldier killed on Western Front, 1914-1916

REEL 1 Recollections of life as wife of volunteer soldier and reactions to subsequent bereavment, 1914-1916: discovery of pregnancy; work at leather factory; carrot diet during pregnancy; reaction to receiving notification of death of husband from his sergeant; happiness of marriage; inadequacy of pay allotment as soldier's wife; happiness of marriage; reaction to husband's enlistment after seeing recruitment performance by Vesta Tilley at 'Palace'; effects of separation; state of mind on birth of baby; story of developing relationship with future husband whilst working as ring spinner in mill prior to war; reaction to husband's enlistment after seeing recruitment performance by Vesta Tilley at 'Palace'; move to live with mother; abortive visit to Preston to see husband; visit to husband in billets at Bournemouth; husband's embarkation leave; work at leather works; husband's return on GB leave including reception, taking time off work, lice problem, story of buying hat and visit with husband to leather works; discovery of pregnancy; happiness of marriage; reaction to husband's enlistment after seeing recruitment performance by Vesta Tilley at 'Palace'; inadequacy of pay allotment as soldier's wife and effects of separation; state of mind and hospitalisation on birth of baby.