| Description | An interview with Prince JACOB, a married man with no children, who is a Retired Post Office manager, born in Trinidad and now living in Solihull. Prince JACOB’s father was a Headmaster, born in Trinidad and his mother a Housewife born in Trinidad. In the interview, he talks about …
'MS225/2/096 JACOB Prince logged by Bernadette Shortt
01
I was born in Trinidad in 1925, my father was a headmaster and my mother never worked. There were 16 of us in the family, 9 boys 7 girls. My father was a headmaster at a Roman Catholic school which took us all over the country for 5 years because of his promotions.
1.40 - I was brought up as a Roman Catholic, more religion than education. You had to know the catechism, you had to know the prayers, go to church it became too much, and in life there are more important things.
2.30 – Childhood in Trinidad – No TV, lucky to have a radio. Had no electricity. We used to walk in the moonlight. We used to share everything . . .. Give shoes to younger one, passed clothes on. Life was not a bed of roses.
02
Food – Always plenty to eat.
In 1930s it was not compulsory for children to go to school so my father would go out into the country and encourage children to go to school.
03
Upbringing – The eldest was in charge when mum and dad was away, every brother and sister had a particular job to do in the day, take goat out, make tea, if it isn’t done by the proper time, school time 9am, you would be in trouble. “Discipline was so strict that I wonder whether youngsters today would put up with it.”
Punishment – Must be home from school before 5.30 or you would be smacked on the hand.
2.00 - Social Life – Concerts and festivals at the church hall. You had to make your own social life, going to see friends.
In the 1940s you would be allowed to go to dances but you must be home by 5 – 6pm, as soon as it starts getting dark you must be home.
04
Respect – No matter who you met, you had to bow and say “good morning, good afternoon or good night”. This is the way we were brought up.
White people – My grandfather was a Scots man, he was in charge on a yacht club on the island, St. James. Europeans used to visit this club; there was no form of discrimination there. But we had to look up to them.
Discrimination – In 1940s when American soldiers came, they would have dances and would be interested in the brown skinned girls. This caused problems on the island. We were not used to this.
2.30 – Difference between different islands, Barbados known as “Little England”.
05
Trinidad has the biggest mixture in the West Indies; we have Asian, Chinese, and Indian . . .. But we try and live together . . .. We try to live in harmony. Our calypso keeps us together we are all one.
School – I went to private school in 1940, non religious and mixed. Left before getting qualifications. I felt it was time I started earning for my parents.
06
Joined air force in 1943 went to Virginia USA for 1 week, aware of racial discrimination there. We were not used to the attitude “whites sit here and blacks sit there”. American & British commanders agreed that we were allowed the same privileges because we were British flyers.
2.30 - Transferred to Liverpool – “never been so cold in my life . . . we were given overcoats, hot tea but we just couldn’t keep warm.
07
First impressions of England – very dull, foggy, the people were very nice to us. The weather was terrible.
50” Discrimination – no discrimination from the RAF, discrimination was between those from the West Indies. Trinidad v Barbados etc.
1.30 – White peoples' perception of Black people “ Many times I got on the bus and someone would put their hand through my hair to see if it needed a wash . . .. Can I speak English . . .? Have I got a tail? But that’s life.
08
2.25 – In late 1943 I was stationed in Kirkham mastering various trades such as publication. Moved to Burtonwood, war was almost over, role was to clear the stock out and dumping it into the sea. Flew to Germany to bring prisoners of war back to Blackpool.
1.10 By 1947 we were demobbed. I went back to Trinidad then came back to England because the island was too small. Greater educational opportunities in England.
2.50 – Discrimination – Looking for somewhere to stay in the Midlands: You would knock the door, vacant room “I am very sorry it’s just gone”. Two minutes later a white person can get the room.
09
Discrimination – People wouldn’t employ a Black man, failed to trust them. Found place to stay at Wolverhampton New Road Hostel, ex RAF lads there who helped us out.
First Job – Accles & Pollock worked in the laboratory spark testing, had to leave quite soon after starting.
10
Worked at BSA, then John Morelands till 1950. Took tests for the railway, post office and the coal board, decided to work at the post office: “it’s the best job I have ever had in my life, worked there for 38 years.”
2.45 - The Black Country people– very friendly, entertaining people always interested in sports.
11
BSA Birmingham Club – Everybody knows everybody there.
0.45 – Oldbury Athletic Club – In 1950 I went to the Worcestershire championship in Bromsgrove, I won the 100 and 200 race . . . and the quarter mile. I held the championship for all 3 races for 10 years.
1.35 – Small Heath Harriers – Represented Birmingham at the Highland Games on five occasions with Freddie Green, an outstanding runner. We always brought back the cup. We competed against Manchester, London, Edinburgh, and Glasgow.
12
Getting married – Used to go to Technical College in Burtonwood, there was a white girl in the class who I never got on with. When I had pneumonia this girl came to see me, we became friends. In 1948 we got married for the past 52 years.
13
We lived on St. Paul’s Road Balsall Heath. After wife got her degree we moved to Sheldon, then to Coleshill. We have lost two children.
Parents-in-law – Father wasn’t too pleased about his daughter marrying a Black man, she had to wait till she was 18, he said, “if you go you don’t come back.”
14
Because my wife was Jewish I had to be converted, the Rabbi gave me instructions, answer questions from Rabb’s in London, I passed, was given a scroll and I am now a practising Liberal Jew today.
40” I have been attending the Sheepcote Street Synagogue for over 40 years.
2.10 – Trained the Jewish brigades in athletics.
15
Athletics career – In RAF joined athletic team won races for them. Joined the Macarpia, Jewish athletics association, I was a member of the team who went to Israel in 1950 and I won the 220 race. The British board selected me to run and also to carry the flag for Great Britain, which was a great honour. That was the height of my athletics career.
16
Jewish Community – not accepted by all of the community especially by the Orthodox Jews.
17
Post Office – life at the Post office.
18
Became Inspector at the Acocks Green Post Office, which did for 11 years before I retired.
1.10 – Retirement – I help the probation service, visited people in prison, visit the courts etc.
2.15 - Political views – Favour Conservative and Socialist parties.
19
Birmingham – Great city. Description of changes in city.
Knowle – Its in a world of its own, you’d think you were in the country somewhere with the old buildings, people as you pass they nod, they stop and say, “how are you?”
20
Identity – I am British, I like the democracy.
Contrasts Britain with West Indies, more opportunities here.
21
Moving back to Trinidad – want to move back but it’s a more expensive way of life. Story about moving back . . . my wife says if she goes back to live in Trinidad she wants to live like a Queen and I am afraid the Queen doesn’t live in Trinidad she lives in England. (Laughing)
Retirement – Has joined the Masons.
ENDS |