Joan Howard's memories

By Sarah Woods

I was born  at 1pm in Pier Place. My grand parents house. My name is Joan Naomi Howard. We moved to Kitcheners Rd until I was 7 years old, we then moved to Albion Rd. My first school was Northgate Infants, but when we moved to Albion Rd, I went to Nelson School, I didn't stay there long as I went on to Priory Girls School.

My Mothers maiden name was Elsie May Watson, my father was Arthur Edwin Howard. When he left school he worked at Hills Restaurant on Kings St & then he got a job on the dining cars for the railway until the general strike. After several months on the dole (out of work) he got a job in Grouts Silk Factory, where he stayed until retired. Locally I had two sets of grandparents & great grandparents. Mother's parents lived in Pier Place & father's on Nelson Rd Central.

In 1939 I worked the summer holidays at the Floral Hall, Gorleston selling ice creams & cigarettes around the swimming pool. I worked 7 days a week, for 7/6p, then war broke out. Priory school had to go to Swindel school because we had no air raid shelters. We could only go half days, which was OK for us. I was 14 that October and left school that Christmas. I got a job a Grout's Silk Factory. I can't remember how long I was there, but I recall the German Nazi Propaganda Minister, Lord Haw Haw as he was called, saying on the radio that the German Armies would be picking tulips from the gardens on Great Yarmouth sea front.

My grand parents, my auntie, my mother & I were evacuated to Bradford. I found work in a woollen mill, but it was hard work for a 14 year old girl. We didn't stay there long before we came back  to Great Yarmouth. I went back to my job in Grout's, that's when the real wart started, the factory was bombed and there were several near misses. Once a we3ek we had to do what was known as 'fire watch', we had camp beds set up around the billiard table in the factory's clubhouse. It wasn't all doom & gloom though as there were soldiers billeted in the Garibaldi hotel & lots of us girls & soldiers used to go out dancing I met my husband at the Goode's Hotel. I was surprised to learn his name was Derek Howard, so I didn't have to change my name when we got married.

This page was added by Sarah Woods on 07/09/2009.

Comments about this page

My mother Irma Baker and her sister Honor both worked at Grouts during the 1930,s and 40,s. I remember my aunt always spoke very loudly for the rest of her life and this was said to be because to be heard over the machinery one had to shout.

By Valerie Clare
On 30/11/2009

I worked on uptwisting machine when I was 17 in 1954. Mr Webb was the supervisor and my work mate was June Gay. I found it hard to hear after coming out of the factory, but no long term problems. I worked shifts 6am-2pm and 2pm -10pm alternate weeks. I walked from Walpole Road past the cemetary in the cold snow. My then fiance (now husband of 54 years, Eric) dinkied me on his bike on the morning shift. I enjoyed my time there.

By Doris Beckett (Nee Stubbs)
On 11/01/2010

I worked at Grouts in 1954. I can't remember how long I was there, but it was a well paid job in those days. My friend June Gay and I met there and we still correspond from there to Oz. I remember Mr Webb (supervisor?). He was very strict. I walked from Walpole Rd past the cemetary at 5.30am. It was a bit scary as all the trees in the cemetary looked frightening when it had been snowing (it was still pitch black then). It was my first job in Gt Yarmouth. My then boyfriend (now husband of 54 years) took me there after we met in 1953. I was 17 when I worked there on the 'uptwisting machine'. Very noisy. Loved the time I spent there.

By Doris Beckett
On 11/01/2010

My Grandfather Albert Grant had something to do with the canteen. It's a bit vague. I don't know when exactly. I would have thought around the '50's?

By Stewart Grant
On 04/03/2010

Mr Grant was the canteen manager for a lot of years; he also was responsible for the club room which had 2 snooker table and a ping pong table; he retired in mid 60 s.  I worked at Grouts as weaver from 1959 until 1961..

By Norman Balls
On 28/07/2010

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