Catalogue description Sound recording of 'Brummie' Harry Horton of Birmingham (b. 1875) talking about his childhood, employment, serving in the First World War 1914-1918 and his time in Canada

This record is held by Birmingham: Archives, Heritage and Photography Service

Details of MS 4000/5/1/2/1
Reference: MS 4000/5/1/2/1
Title: Sound recording of 'Brummie' Harry Horton of Birmingham (b. 1875) talking about his childhood, employment, serving in the First World War 1914-1918 and his time in Canada
Description:

Recording of interview by Charles Parker of 'Brummie' Harry Horton talking about his childhood, employment, serving in the First World War 1914-1918 and his time in Canada

 

CD-R 1 of 2

 

Track 1 Duration (min/sec) 5.35 HH was born in Sherborne Grove, Sherborne Street, Birmingham and was brought up in Birmingham; attended school 'sometimes', paid three pence every Monday; started working as early as possible when aged 12-13 years (pretending he was 14 years old) and had varied jobs in a coal yard wheeling coal, lathering in a barber's shop; born 17 October [1875]

 

Track 2 Duration (min/sec) 2.25 [deep background tone throughout part of track] describes how 'tough' life was then; lived near a dogs home and each morning on a donkey's back used to lead the stray dogs up Gillot Road to Rotton Park Road

 

Track 3 Duration (min/sec) 7.56 [deep background tone throughout part of track; pitch/level fluctuates] HH talks about previous jobs working for Lloyd and Lloyds, Sheepcote Street (on motor cars); describes his work on the sea; during WW1 served in the 'Staffords' and the 'Warwicks' and talks about serving during the war

 

Track 4 Duration (min/sec) 5.54 [pitch/level fluctuates] talks about WW1

 

Track 5 Duration (min/sec) 3.33 [deep background tone throughout part of track] talks about the wages earned when in the army

 

Track 6 Duration (min/sec) 10.45 [deep background tone throughout part of track; pitch/level fluctuates] talks about going to the Labour Exchange and the term 'noerheion' (HH spells it out) meaning a commotion which could start at the Labour Exchange; talks about the term 'mithered' meaning being bothered in your mind and recommends beetroot for the condition

 

Total duration 36.08

 

CD-R 2 of 2

 

Track 1 Duration (min/sec) 4.49 [deep background tone throughout part of track] HH describes after WW1 leaving Birmingham as there was no work and stowing away aboard a ship from Liverpool

 

Track 2 Duration (min/sec) 15.57 describes stowing away aboard a mixed cargo boat from Liverpool; talks about how hard he has had to work all his life as in the 'poor class'

 

Track 3 Duration (min/sec) 8.31 describes working in the rolling of metal

 

Track 4 Duration (min/sec) 3.39 HH talks about having worked hard for 30-40 years and then the shock of his wife's death

 

Track 5 Duration (min/sec) 7.04 HH talks about his time in Canada

 

Total duration 40.00

Date: 18 July 1961
Held by: Birmingham: Archives, Heritage and Photography Service, not available at The National Archives
Copies held at:

Original tape reel (the dubbing reference number was 9/PLA)

 

NSA copy of CD-R serial numbers

 

CD 1 of 2: 2296 2211 0252

 

CD 2 of 2: 2296 2211 0251

 

Archive master CD-R serial numbers

 

CD 1 of 2: 2296 2211 0250

 

CD 2 of 2: 2296 2211 0249

Language: English
Physical condition: Listening copy: 2 x CD-R serial numbersCD 1 of 2: PF235 S108 2974CD 2 of 2: CF129 K0476774Original tape:Size 10" tape reelGauge 1/4" tape (0.625cm)Speed 7.5ips (19cm/s);EQ Curve used IEC Track configuration Half Track MonoDubbing Date 11/02Notes Deep background tone throughout much of CD 1 and CD 2; pitch/volume level fluctuates CD 1 Tracks 3 and 5

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