William and Janet Clark's Children - Janet - Janet & Luke Children - Jenny - What She Did Next

After the young Jenny was no longer the unpaid nursemaid to her baby brother William (Billy) - (the reason being, one day when  'fed-up' she abandoned him in his pram), she went out and got herself a job. She worked for a Jewish family, but was very unhappy there, so got herself a job at Denton Road School as a cleaner.

Denton Road School circa 1940s

I tried to restore this photograph of an extremely smart young Jenny walking down Grainger Street, Newcastle around 1935 but unfortunately it had deteriorated too much to be improved.  This is a 'Walking Picture' taken by a Street Photographer, very popular with the public at this time.

18 year old Jenny Walking down Grainger Street Newcastle Gray's Monument behind circa 1935

Around this time Jenny would be a member of Scotswood Swimming Club. 

Scotswood Corporation Baths and Washouse

She became a very good swimmer, and at one time was Diving Champion. I have a pretty figurine that she won at one of the competitions. As my mam would say "she has been in the wars," i.e. the figurine, but that doesn't matter, I am very proud of it.

Figurine won for Diving circa 1936

The swimming club organised regular trips to the 'sea-side' and as you can see she persuaded her parents, Janet and Luke to come along, with her young brother Billy, apparently they loved the trips. It looks as if everyone had a great time.

Front Luke and Janet second row first left Jenny (Next to man in dark suit) at Cullercoates circa 1936

Jennie with maybe Tommy Potts

Circa 1933/4 Back Left Janet Dent with Baby Billy on her knee and front right Jenny Dent

Jenny and Billy circa 1935

Billy & Jenny (in Beret) circa 1936 other young woman unknown

Left Janet Dent, Billy, & Jenny Back Right Circa 1937 

Billy with his dad Luke aged around six year old circa 1939

It is not surprising that Jenny got a job as a Bath's Attendant at Scotswood Baths. She only lived about a five minute walk away. 

My mam must have taken a Life Saving Course in order to carry out her job.  I still have the 'medal' that was awarded. 

The family became firm friends with the Manager of Scotswood Baths, Mr Moore.  When his daughter Joyce went off to Egypt on holiday she brought back a doll and bag for my sister and I, this would be around 1955.  I still have both these dolls. We were never allowed to play with them.  For 'safety' Janet kept them in her china cabinet, and then my mam kept them in the old book-case which I now have and where they still reside.

1955 Egyptian Dolls

1955 Childs Egyptian Shoulder Bag

My mam also told me that during the war she worked in Vickers-Armstrong making bombs.  She said it was hard work but the wages were fantastic.

Women in Vickers-Armstrong making Shells