domestic service

Girls often went into service aged just 12 or 13, sometimes younger. Girls from rural villages were in demand as maids, as it was often thought that they would work harder than children from cities.

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Ivy sat on the same back steps as her mother had done before her. The same family , the same job, but this was the 1930's - Working conditions, employees’ rights and movements toward greater social equality meant that being a servant, maid or nanny was safer and more well paid than ever.

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Mothers time was very different - she had suffered hardships and vagaries - that i would never put up with. I was leaving soon as i found me a nice lad from the next village. Mother was dismissed when she was discovered to be with child

and unmarried to boot!.. But the old lady of the house had a soft spot for her and as soon as i reached the right age, i was sent here so I could help support my Mother.

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Did you know that Domestic service was one of 1930s Britain's biggest employers?

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ai manipulated in pixlr and edited in gimp

Done