Mr Lee

Father came to area as a sinker – policeman then who hit with his cape. Lists teachers – caned for being cheeky. Father would blow whistle, had to be home in ten minutes or no food. Differnet places they went for entertainment, bedtime. Father had a war pension, which bought the rent and the newspaper. Water tap in yard, would have to keep water in to boil to defrost it in the winter mornings. Worked initially selling groceries door to door, then as a labourer, laying pipes then on a farm. Eccentric twin farmers, still went by candlelight, always disagreeing. Making hay stacks. No free time, with walking to farm and back. Store caught fire in 1932 – smelled good! Mother kept two goats, also had hens, budgies, pigeons. Racing pigeons. Heavy work on the farm, but some perks, rabbits and hand me down clothes. Work feeding sheep, getting them out of hollows if on their back, some died. Farms in the area. Work at coke ovens, processes. Work at slaughterhouse, animals trying to escape. First wife died, had to leave children with own parents to bring up, hard for them.

Location: Station,
County: Durham
AUD2008-86

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