AS a regular of the Daily Echo, I have read with interest the letters from L. A. O’Bee about his younger years. My husband who is 91 years old, and me, 89, uphold all he has written.

I left Swaythling School at the age of 14 the year war broke out and went to work as a shop assistant in Portswood Road. I earned 7 shillings and 6 pence a week for a 48-hour week.

My mother was a widow who took in washing (no washing machines) to help out her very small widow’s pension.

She was glad of my wages to make life a little easier, she let me keep sixpence each week which was enough for me to have some chocolates and go to the pictures. I was quite happy with that. We lived in a council house and most people were very poor. If my mum were here today she would think she was in paradise.

Well done L. A. O’Bee

MRS V. I. SHILLABEER, Address Supplied.