The store was just three years old and I was 15 when I started in my first job.

In wartime, you must remember, the men were all called up so we had a manageress, Miss Robinson as she was then, and she ruled us youngsters like we were still in school.

I wonder what these young ones today would think?

We had to do all cleaning, unloading and unpacking as I was in the stock room.

Also we had to take our turn cleaning out and lighting the central heating boiler.

I'm still in touch with two friends from those good old days when work was fun and we laughed a lot.

These girls were working with me in the six years I was employed at F. W. Woolworths: Audrey Studd, Mollie Leeder, Winnie Carlton, Paddy Runacres, Ida Kerry, Doreen Green, Eva Copping, Doris Leeder, Jean Thorndyke, Jean Watkinson, Freda and Mollie Fairweather, Jacky Orford, Brenda Dorling, Arline Smith, Sylvia Moore, May Steggles and Irene Shepherd.

After the war, our first manager was Mr Knights and Alfie Lupton was the first stockroom boy.

Sorry if I've forgotten someone, we must all be in our 80s now.

Jean Rose (nee Websdell)
Claydon, Ipswich