Interview with Miss Joyce Day

Introduction

The interview with Joyce Day was recorded on 28 August 2012 at 22 Arnold Avenue, Meopham. The interviewer was Roy Cook.

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Personal details

Joyce was born in 1926 at No. 1 Wellington Cottages, Meopham Green. She lived with her parents, James and Emily and younger sister Jean.

Neighbours

The next door neighbours at No. 2 were the Seager family.

Final address

She moved to the Council house in Arnold Avenue in 1947. The reason she gave was the cottage had been purchased by Mrs Bourne and the family could not afford £100 to buy the lease.

Schooling

She attended Meopham School near the now Camer Parade, studying general academic subjects, and she named the teachers as Mrs Shaw, Mrs Potter and Mr Strand.

Employment

She left school at 14 years of age and her first employment was at Green Farm, owned by Mr Baker, as a House Parlour Maid.

Memories of the War (1)

She related an anecdote regarding the War Time blackout.

Employment (2)

She left the job after six months, wanting to become a nurse, but, due to conscription taking his sons, Cyril King, butcher located at the Station area, employed her to assist in the shop, alongside Connie, a relation of the King family.

Memories of the War (2)

They delivered the rations by bicycle, and she details area covered and ration allowance. At weekends, supplies were delivered to the NAAFI at the Vigo Army Camp by van.

Driving

She relates stories regarding how she learned to drive etc.Index

Second butcher

She mentions the other butcher Ollie Russell at The Green.Index

Memories of the War (3)

She goes on to relate that people were helpful during the war and remarks on sheltering from bombs. She mentions an Anderson shelter. She explains that the butcher closed on Mondays and Thursdays and details the opening hours.

Part time work

She stated that during the two free days, she was employed by Wally Yates, to drive a taxi. She goes on to talk about the vehicles and other driving experiences including driving the local Ambulance.

Changes

She said that things had changed and that Meopham was no longer a village but all things change.

Organisations

She belonged to several organisations such as the St John's, Brownies and Guides.

Unsure of well-known people

She was unsure of local well known people.

Memories of the War

She remarks on dances held at the Village Hall attended by Army personnel.

Father's job

She said that her father was originally a game-keeper to the Waterlow family estate at Vigo.

Transport

Regarding transport she stated that, while there was a regular bus service in the village, people usually walked to Gravesend for shopping other than food.

Meopham shop

Next to the Kings Arms, Barbara Russell, a relative of the butcher, ran a shop selling shoes and some clothing.

Memorabilia

She is prepared to share her photographs when they become accessible, including some of her father playing cricket for Meopham.