 INTERVIEW WITH : Dot Hildreth DATE : 31 May 1995 INTERVIEWER : Christene Mauchline ABSTRACT : Christene Mauchline |
A Teenage Salvationist in the 1940s
HAMILTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
ORAL HISTORY PROGRAMME
YOUTH ORAL HISTORY PROJECT
OH 0225
|
INTERVIEW WITH : Dot Hildreth DATE : 31 May 1995 INTERVIEWER : Christene Mauchline ABSTRACT : Christene Mauchline |
Contents:
| Introduction | Homelife |
| Education | Entertainment and Socialising |
| Employment | Awareness of Issues |
| Locality |
See Also:
Click on a speaker icon to hear the interview.
Tape 1 Side 1 |
Born 12 November 1925, at Garthowen Private Hospital, Norton Road, Frankton
One brother
Father worked on railway, Mother a housewife
Lived in Rimu Street in Maeroa
Family important; entertainments difficult to get to
Religion was very important part of family life, Salvation Army
Had to help a little around the house but her mother did most things
Extended family was not living in Hamilton so did not get to see them often; travel
difficult
"We just had real good plain food", always plenty
Father diabetic, died young
She had a heart condition, made to do nothing; not allowed to play sport
Family doctor rather than home remedies
Went on one holiday a year as father got a free pass every year.
Brother overseas for four years during World War Two, home alone with mother as father had died.
War was disruptive, "...but we just took it in our stride"
Went to Hamilton Technical High School; Commercial course
Didn't like secondary school; quite different from primary
Sang in choir; no sports because of heart condition
Equal amount of sports for girls and boys
Boys and girls in segregated classes
Lack of transport made after school activities with friends difficult
Friends at school were different from those in social circle; made friends at church
Ambition was to get a job and earn money
World War Two didn't really effect education
Air raid practices, sirens, shelter in backyard
Had a lot of spare time in comparison to teenagers today; reading, listening to radio
Not allowed to attend dances "...my family were very strict about that", went to
church socials, movies with workmates
"Radio was very important because that was your entertainment at home";
plays, serials, music
Read novels from Frankton library
Did not do a lot of dating; a lot of boys had gone away to war; lack of transport had
an effect.
A lot of activity during war in Hamilton; Airforce, YMCA voluntary canteen, Church
Only a few American service men in Hamilton
First job at the Auckland Herd Improvement Association; mail clerk
Was a reserved occupation
Sparse but comfortable working conditions
Worked mostly with women; had workmates who she went to the pictures with
Remembers progress of Hilda Ross
"I think she was a fairly popular person because she worked hard for the city"
Did not think young people took any interest in political issues
Does not remember any racial conflicts
Maeroa considered urban "An outer suburb"
Hamilton considered the centre of activity; employment
Transport; walk, bike, bus
Bus service for the movies
Father went to work on a bike
Went on holiday by train
See Also:
