Sport

Lerwill, Sheila (Part 5 of 7). An Oral History of British Athletics

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  • Type

    sound

  • Duration

    00:45:13

  • Shelf mark

    C790/30

  • Subjects

    Athletics: Field

  • Recording date

    2002-12-02

  • Recording locations

    Interviewee's home, West Sussex

  • Interviewees

    Lerwill, Sheila, 1928- (speaker, female)

  • Interviewers

    Cutler, Rachel (speaker, female)

  • Abstract

    Part 5: 1956 Olympic Games Melbourne story. Had trained and competed to get into UK team for Melbourne Games. But her Mother refused to look after daughter during the competition. Discussion of Mother's character as a parent. Ended involvement in athletics. Lost touch with athletics. Opinion of sport in UK since her retirement. Not interested in becoming involved in administration or officialdom until she became a member of The Olympians. Life outside sport. Life in Iraq 1954 - 1958. Husband's work took family to Middle East in 1954.Remained there until 1958 with exception of return in March 1954 to train and compete at Vancouver Commonwealth Games. Had a good social time - but failed in competition. Michael's job in Basra?, Iraq was in date importing company. Describes house and life in Iraq. House, chauffeur, social life, relationship with Iraq people. Revolution 1958 - describes the fear of the thousands of people on the streets. Evacuated with children (aged 3 and 10 months) in plane. Describes journey home and arrival in UK. Separated from husband for following year. Family life in UK. Schooling for children. Settled in East Sussex. Amateur dramatics. Back to full time work and The Samaritans. Story of family attempted suicide.Joined Cruise. Memories of widows. Story of Father's death. Mother's senility. Mother moved to a Home. Returned to work after a period out of work. More detail of children's life, work, education and children. Son Clive, sportsman and works for civilian side of police force. Discovered son dyslexic. Daughter Trisha policewoman.

  • Description

    Interview with high-jump athlete Sheila Lerwill

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