[West Ender]

I took the CS Marriage Gratuity when I married in 1962. I worked for a further 2 years until I resigned when I had my first child. Resignation was not obligatory but the Maternity Leave was only 6 weeks and there was no part time working so, combined with a dearth of child-care, it was very difficult to be a working mother. Most mothers didn't work until their children were in school, usually secondary school.

My mother was also a civil servant but she had to resign when she married my dad in 1932. I have a feeling married women were not allowed in the CS until WW2 when they were indispensible.

I went to West End School when I was 3, 1946, and my teacher, Miss Greenwood, married and became Mrs Green while I was in her class. Perhaps the requirements of wartime had changed the rules for teachers as well as civil servants.