T42 – Summary – Ramsbottom Heritage Society

The transcript is an interview with Elizabeth Howarth as transcribed by Microsoft Word and summarised by ChatGPT and subject to errors.

Born in Guernsey, Channel Islands, in 1929.
Father worked at the docks; mother was a homemaker.
Evacuated from Guernsey in 1940, just before the German occupation.
Left with her school (approx. 200 children, ages up to 11) carrying only small baskets with clothes and toys.
Initially thought they were going to America or Australia but instead landed in Weymouth.
Spent weeks sleeping on school floors (Weymouth, then Burnley) before being billeted in Greenmount near Ramsbottom.

Separated from parents, accompanied by teachers and nuns (Catholic school).
Felt both sadness and excitement at leaving home, but not fear.
Evacuees were chosen by host families, sometimes feeling “eyed up.”
Lived with kind foster families (notably the Hendles and later in Tottington). Some placements were difficult, but others were very caring.
Communication with parents was via strict Red Cross letters (limited to 25 words, censored). Parents never knew exact location.
Experienced a doodlebug attack near Tottington: windows blown out, homes destroyed, some casualties. This left a vivid memory.

Continued education locally until age 14, then had to work.
First job in Elsinore Café, Bury:
- Trained in kitchen, waiting, and bookkeeping.
- Worked long hours (9–6), earned ~£1 2s 6d per week.
- Paid rent to foster family, managed clothes and shoe repairs carefully.
- Learned catering skills, wore black frock/uniform.
- Recalled amusing and embarrassing incidents (e.g., spilling soup on a customer).
Later worked in mills in Ramsbottom (sewing hessian bags), though disliked piecework and poor standards.

Married young (age 19) to Kenneth.
Had a daughter, Barbara.
Husband tragically killed in an accident when Barbara was nearly 3.
Supported by in-laws and widow’s allowance (~£2 3s 6d a week). Managed frugally, sometimes worked to supplement income.
Eventually paid off their house through life insurance.

Found Ramsbottom welcoming and friendly.
Observed changes over the decades:
- Decline of mills and local employment.
- Growth of new housing estates, more outsiders commuting to Manchester.
- Local facilities improved (library, parks), but leisure activities for youth remained limited.
- Transport: buses good, trains closed in 1972 then reopened as a heritage railway (East Lancs Railway), which boosted tourism.

Compared Ramsbottom with Guernsey:
- Guernsey felt too small and limited when she briefly returned post-war (1945–46).
- Chose to stay in England, where there were more opportunities.
Praised the friendliness of Ramsbottom people and expressed no regrets about leaving the Channel Islands.
Travelled later in life (including Australia), but always felt happiest returning home to Ramsbottom.

T42 – Summary