| Description | An interview with Henry ARCHER, a divorced man with seven sons, two daughters, who is a Part-time pharmacy, born in Trinidad and now living in Birmingham. Henry ARCHER’s father was a Tram driver, born in Trinidad and his mother a Housewife born in Trinidad. In the interview, he discusses:
01
I was born on 8th August 1923 in the British Colony of Trinidad. Very poor family background. Father was a tram driver, mother was a housewife. Loving parents. One younger sister who now resides in USA, qualified as a dentist.
1.21 Went to elementary Government school. Secondary education very expensive in Trinidad, therefore Mum took in washing. Matriculated aged 17. Ambition to study medicine. Revealed his desire to go to England- thinks perhaps the family had a collection to pay for passage.
3.04 Secured a job as a blue-print operator after matriculation aged 18. Worked with Americans for 3 years. Had an accident at work, lost several fingers, compensated but very little money (in today’s value approx. £250.)
4.47 Continued to work for some time after accident. I was able to come to England in the year, somewhere around 1948.
02
[ No clear recollection of the period between 1941-1948]
1.05 Got involved with a young girl at 17, who became pregnant and subsequently died in childbirth. Occasionally in contact with daughter. I have often wondered had she been in England where, of course, medical attention was more advanced, it is likely she may have been alive today.
03
Gave private tuition in Trinidad for 3 or 4 years to supplement income. Unemployed for some time, no benefits available.
45” Describes first coming to England. Traumatic experience. Cousin in RAF living somewhere in Birmingham. Intention to look for him . but first taken to army depot. Snowing heavily.
04
I came over… in 1948 on the Empire Windrush and I think we docked in Southampton. Taken to Bicester in Oxford for short period. Came to Birmingham… found employment…with Burmans & Son, made car accessories in Kings Norton, approximately 4, 5 years and during that time I also used to attend Matthew Boulton College. I wanted to qualify as a radio and television engineer…. I took my City and Guilds.
1.44 Anecdote about relationship with local girl and resulting pregnancy. Although the parents always made me welcome to the home, they were very dubious about the marriage, however,…gave the daughter consent.
2.34 Got married and lived in a one bedroom flat in Balsall Heath.
05
Parents in Trinidad had opposing views on the marriage. Father against it due to Colonialism.
59” He did say that if I married a European, that he would have no further association with me, and he would cut my allowance off, which he did.
1.22 Studied for two years but due to difficulties gave up.
Unemployed for a time. Then worked in a paint factory Postons & Son,Nechells. Briefly lists other jobs
Wife devoted and loving mother. 5 sons and 1 daughter. I have never smoked or drank but my weakness was a woman…various affairs with various women…. Liaison with her sister. Then I got involved with a young girl and she bore me two kids, so my wife could no longer tolerate my behaviour and she consequently divorced me.
06
Explains the ensuing situation after the divorce. Ex-wife died 4-5 years ago, heavy smoker of Woodbines. Gave up smoking but resumed after divorce.
1.18 After training in radio and television, worked with various companies, I can remember Granada…..Cuttrices Ltd….Dixons Electrical. I got fed up with that…I was accepted on a government course for plumbing engineer which was a two year course, in West Bromwich.
07
Reveals the difficulty in maintaining contact with children from the extra-marital relationship. Two boys who are now 14 and 15 years old.
2.02 I worked as a radio and television engineer for approximately 14 years.
2.56 Describes experience of returning to Birmingham University late in life. It was pretty tough really because I found that my brain had reached saturation point. There were times when I felt like packing it in or relinquishing my studies but I had a great deal of support from my tutors and I finally completed the course, you know. (EDUCATION)
3.35 I’ve got a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacology, but very little work experience so to speak.
08
I did Sociology and Economics at Birmingham University and I graduated….I did a Btec in Coventry Polytechnic, qualified as a pharmacist….I work temporarily at Lloyds Chemist where I am trying to gain some work experience.
1.05 Describes being a mature student.
09
Explains some of the difficulties in being an immigrant in the 1940s.
1.25 I saw other cases where many black people, the pressure was so great that many of them took their lives, committed suicide. It didn’t affect me that much anyway….The only people really used to help black people with accommodation are mostly Asian landlords….in some cases would charge you a bit more.
2.18 Anecdote about personal experience of discrimination whilst looking for accommodation.
3.02 Contrasts the more positive experience of Europeans living in Trinidad.
4.07 Believes things were not as bad for his cousin in the RAF.
4.46 Treated quite fairly by work colleagues.
10
Reflects on his decision to come to England. May have fared better in America. I think probably I might have been treated much better in America and in some respect I might have been able to achieve my ambition as qualifying as a doctor.
1.41 Expresses religious beliefs. Brought up in the Catholic faith, but open to studying other religions. I have a sense of God, but I wouldn’t say that I am a Christian.
11
Reveals what has happened to fellow travellers who arrived on the Empire Windrush.
12
Anecdote about early days of marriage and the difficult living conditions.
3.49 Contrasts the lives of young people today with that of those in the 40s.
13
Declares his reluctance to remain in England in the early years.
2.18 Children and their educational achievements. Not regularly in contact with grandchildren.
14
Now I am a typical Brum because I have spent most of my life here, all the children have grown up here, and I feel that I am well-integrated now, I am part of the, you know, part of the system.
Sense of regret at not returning to Trinidad before father died 12 years ago. Mother also died in ’96.
15
Anecdote about partner dying in his arms from a heart attack.
1.44 Best memories were when children were growing up (pre-teens).
16
Good education is vital. Reiterates what his children are doing now.
ENDS |