Description
Object description
British civilian worked as welfare adviser for Rest Care Service (RCS), London County Council in London, GB, 1940-1945
Content description
REEL 1 REEL 1 Background in Folkestone, GB, 1920-1939: family; education; employment in family souvenir shop; impact of Depression. Aspects of period as civilian in Folkestone and London, GB, 1939-1940: reaction to outbreak of Second World War, 3/9/1939; death of mother; problems with eyesight; life in London during treatment for eyes at Moorfields Hospital; joining Rest Centre Service (RCS) in London, 1940; situation in Folkestone, 1939-1940; treatment of father and other Italians in Folkestone; father’s business during Second World War; evacuation of sisters to Wales.
REEL 2 Continues: Recollections of period as welfare adviser with Rest Care Service (RCS), London County Council in London, GB, 1940-1945: recruitment, 1940; organisation of Rest Care Service (RCS); reasons for not being called-up; training as welfare adviser; preparations of White Lion Street Rest Centre; role of rest centres; beginnings of Citizens Advice Bureau; work as welfare adviser; reaction to bombing by German Air Force; arrival of people bombed out of homes; sleeping in Angel Underground Station during air raids; fire watching duties including dealing with incendiary bombs; daily routine during bombing; helping out at Stoke Newington Rest Centre.
REEL 3 Continues: helping out at Newington Green Rest Centre; conscientious objectors working at Newington Green Rest Centre; attitude towards conscientious objectors; story of how Newington Green centre was hit by German Air Force bomb and welfare officer killed; work of firemen; general duties at rest centres; obtaining supplies; looking after children at rest centres; visits by seniors from London County Council; role of women in rest centres; attitude towards elderly people in rest centres; paperwork; training in action to be taken in event of German invasion.
REEL 4 Continues: entertainment for people in rest centres; attitude towards Prime Minister Winston Churchill's speeches; morale; joining St John's Ambulance Brigade; helping victims of shock; attitude towards Royal family; description of London Underground shelters; manning first aid posts in London Underground shelters; social life; post-war work at Allies Club, Hyde Park; working at Area Control Office, Rest Centre Services (RCS) at Highbury Hill.
REEL 5 Continues: gas masks; duties at Area Control Office, Rest Centre Services (RCS) at Highbury Hill; German V1 Flying Bomb and V2 Rocket attacks, 1944-1945; duties at rest centres; story of how she was injured during VE Day celebrations, 8/5/1945; reaction to sudden closure of rest centres; lack of contact with husband to be during Second World War; role of Rest Centre Service (RCS); impact of war on her life; lack of recognition of work of Rest Centre Service (RCS); sexual mores during wartime.
REEL 6 Continues: attitude towards Labour Party victory during 1945 Election.