Greenhow, P: [The Autobiography of Mrs P Greenhow, extract] DOB: 1910 DOD: UNKNOWN Born in a Wiltshire village. Sixteenth child of a carrier and coal merchant and the twelfth child of his second wife, a former parlour maid. Grew up in a working-class family with limited means. Attended village school from 1915 to 1922. Won a scholarship and attended secondary school until 1926. Began work at age 17 in domestic service as a children’s maid, nanny, and personal maid. Trained as a nurse from 1929 to 1933. Lived in India before WWII and later in Cyprus. In the 1950s resumed part-time nursing. Later preparing to emigrate to Australia. Married to a professional soldier. No mention of children. Skilled in sewing, mending, embroidery, making curtains, lacework, and dressmaking. Engaged in nursing as a profession and later part-time. No specific leisure hobbies are detailed. First job interview in London at age 17; felt intimidated but was accepted for the post (1927). Experience of strict domestic service rules, including meticulous dress codes and house protocols. Worked in a large London household, befriended another young maid. Served a particularly demanding employer who required elaborate morning and evening dressing rituals. Suffered under the hierarchy and stress of domestic service, including incidents of accidents and strict discipline. Worked in a household with thirteen staff, including travel to Claridge’s hotel in London. Participated in Christmas traditions of servant gift-giving (received meagre gifts like socks or artificial flower buttons). Refused transfer to a Scottish shooting lodge for household duties, leading to the end of domestic service employment. Transitioned to nursing training thereafter. The document is type-written. Wiltshire, Domestic service,Children’s maid, Nanny, Personal maid, Housekeeper, Nursing, India, Cyprus, Emigration to Australia, Claridge’s, Sewing, embroidery Strict household rules, Social class hierarchy, Early 20th century women’s work. n.d. [post 1928]