Norman's ups and downs from a difficult start
Some of Norman White's forebears
From the private collection of Norman White
Norman White Snr (right)
From the private collection of Norman White
Norman White as a young man with his daughter
From the private collection of Norman White
Norman White with Margaret
From the private collection of Norman White
Margaret White
From the private collection of Norman White
Margaret White
From the private collection of Norman White
Norman White in 2008
From the private collection of Norman White
But a little more peace in later life
By Norman White (Jnr)
Norman had a difficult start to life. He has had his ups and downs. Meeting Margaret brought him the happiness he deserved and they were married for many years. Here are some of Norman's memories in his own words. He's had tough times but his story shows that even when things get bad its still possible to find a bit of peace in later life. I'd like to thank Norman for his warm and friendly role in our conversations round the table at Age Concern. Sarah, Curator of West Exe
I never saw my mother
Born 30/3/31 at Upton Nursing Home near Presbury, Macclesfield, Cheshire. My mother was Ethel Penelope White, my father was Norman White (Snr), who was born in Macclesfield. My mother did not want me, so I was left in Nursing Home until I was eight months, I never saw my mother. Would not know her if I saw her, I was told she had been a beauty queen for Macclesfield Silk Queen.
My auntie brought me up, her name was Elsie Brooks, my father's sister. When I was four I went to St Bride Junior School in Macclesfield.
National Service
Then transferred to St Paul's School, Clegg Street Macclesfield. My cousin Joan Landon was a teacher there. I was in her class. I had to carry books home for her every night. I used to work at Heaths Silk Mill, packer at weekends, to get money for myself. This was in 1946.
After I left St Paul's school I went to Wallingford training School, Benson near Oxford, farm training, market gardening, 1946 to 1949. Then I joined the Royal Signals 2nd Regiment, Mons Lines, Regimental Police, Catterick Camp, Yorkshire, National Service 1949 to 1956.
State Enrolled Nurse
Crumpsall Hospital, Crumps all, Manchester Nurses training, State Enrolled Nurse, General, 1956 to 1963. Transferred to Hackney general Hospital, Homerton High Street, hackney, London. State Enrolled Nurse, Plaster technician, Theatre, Out Patients, Casualty, E.N.T., Psycho. 1965 to 1970
Wages too small to live on
Had to give it all up as wages too small to live on, as I was married then. 1970 to 1970. I left the hospital to go to the G.B.N. removals Ltd, Homerton High Street, Hackney, London. Yard Foreman, packer, long distance, Liverpool, Edinburgh, fork lift driver. Left them at weekend, moved. 1970 to 1974.
Moved to Moreton Hall, Nursing Home, lived in there, State enrolled Nurse, Geriatrics, night shift, then the nursing home closed down. 1974 to 1976.
Lived in a caravan
During this time my second wife Margaret wrote to me in Burnley, Lancs. as a pen friend. I sent for her and the children, Neil, Pauline, Barbara, Wendy, lived in a caravan on a farm on the site of the nursing home. The farm was a pig farm, and hens.
We had to move from the caravan, as the owner wanted it for visitors. Went to Edinburgh, council housing. Had a social worker, solicitor, who sorted it all out. I had a road sweeper's job at this time, so I could have some money coming in. 1977 to 1977.
Love at first sight
Was out of work so moved to Colne, Lancs, signed on, anything. Lived in Patton Street, four bedroomed house. Barbara, Wendy, Pauline, George, dog. We were altogether there.
Margaret was with us, as we were married in Edinburgh, Scotland on the 15th January 1976. We were very happy, and it was love at first sight. We met though an agency at Bolton, Lancs. Happy ever since.
Got a part time job, night watchman industrial estate, Nelson, Lancs. 1977 to 1977. Property Guards, Preston, Lancs. (Security Guard), nights, Barrowford, Lancs. 1977 to 1980.
Everything gets too much
D.H.S.S. unemployed, Colne, Lancs., anything, gardening, 1980 to 1984. D.H.S.S., and sick, had a breakdown, on the road, in hospital, in Wanford, for a month, they said what are you doing here. I took a dose of tablets, everything was on top of me, 1984, then off sick, hospital.
Royal Eye Hospital, Exeter, laser treatment, in-patient, left eye, detached in five places, retina, five holes in my eye. In-patient. Blind in left eye, all through my son put his arm through a window at school. I went to sleep, woke up next morning, could not see, it was the shock. Had an operation, went into theatre at 9am, came out at 4.30pm. Had one bottle of plasma, had to rest for two days.
Sweeper, nurse, gardening
Went to rest for a while, went to get a job later after convalescence, went to cleaning service. Cleaning services, Paignton, Devon, Camp Sweeper, Barracks, Wyvern, Exeter. 1988 to 1993. Exeter Council, Parks department. Allotment Manager, Hylton, Guys, Rackfield. 1991 to 1993.
Had to give up work
Cleaning services, Paignton, Devon, Camp Sweeper, Barracks, Wyvern, Exeter. 1993 to 1993. D.H.S.S. Exeter. Sweeper, nurse, gardening. 1993 to 1993. D.H.S.S. Exeter, Devon, wife very sick, resting, had to give up work, medical grounds. 1994 to 1995. Gardeners Merchants Ltd, Exeter. Brigadiers garden [check brigadiers and dates overlap below?] 1995 to 1996.
Tenants association, Gill Court, Blackpool, Lancs., treasurer, South Shore retired, partly sighted. 1995 to 1996 Rest Home, mentally handicapped (sic), gardener. 1997 to 1997 Left Blackpool, Lancs. for Exeter, Devon, partly sighted, pension. 1997 to 2000.
Very happy where I am now
Got two allotments, Broadfield, Exeter, Devon, 2001 to 2002
Very happy where I am now, got games afternoon, coffee mornings, sports afternoon. Very sociable, and get on well. I live in Exwick. Very nice, Age Concern, carer, cleaner, all right. Manager is very nice, I can congratulate her in all she does.
Use this link to find more memories from Age Concern West Exe Day Care Group: Age Concern St Thomas