Tonsil time

Wearing my Dad's fireman's hat

Photo from WRVS Heritage Plus Archive

Aged one

Photo from WRVS Heritage Plus Archive

I was quite young when the NHS came in. Your own doctor came to visit you, you always knew them. When I was four I had my tonsils out. There were no pre-meds then, they put a gas mask over my face and I struggled until I passed out. They gave me jelly and ice cream when I came round.

Very strict visiting hours, a bell was rung at the end.

Everyone was scared of the school dentist with the drill that worked with a foot pedal".