Ruth Marshall’s Story
Gorleston Summer 1947
The beginning of 53 Years
I went to Gorleston Holiday Camp with my friend Chris where we worked as waitresses in the camp for the summer season in 1947.
Here I am (3rd from the left) with some of the other waitresses outside the Dining Hall, Chris is at the end on the right. Unfortunately I cannot remember the names of the other waitresses.
And here we all are again this time being photographed with a very tall camper, everyone wanted to have their picture taken with him!
And another picture of the girls in the Camp grounds:
I enjoyed waitressing at the camp. It was a very friendly place to work with lots going on including joining in the dances in the Main Hall. There was of course the band which included Nicky, Stan, George and “Wakie” shown in this picture:
Each week a photograph was taken of all the campers under the clock of the main building. The picture below is from one week that was to turn out to be the start of something new for me.
It was during this week that, while I was working in the Dining Hall, one of the other waitresses said there was someone interested in meeting me after the meal. It was one of the campers who had just arrived and that was the first time I saw John Hall. I had no idea then that we would be married two years later.
John asked me if I would like to join him on one of the outings from the Camp. I was off that afternoon and went with John, along with a group of other campers, to Scobie Sands – our first date!
This picture was taken by John of the group; I am the first in the back row.
And this is me with John:
After that I was able to spend a little more time with John. On one day there was a Camper’s cricket match where the team dressed up as women!!! It was an ideal time to take a few pictures:
The Team:
One of John, ready for action:
John, my friend Chris, me and the Steward who was in charge of the waitresses:
This is one of Chris, the Steward, me and one of the cricket team playing the fool!!
Finally here are a couple of pictures of me and John outside his chalet:
At the end of the week John went home. When I finished the season at the Camp I moved to London to meet up with John which led to a long and very happy marriage that lasted 53 years.
