Volume Eight - Pre-Victorian to the present day - more aspects - Chains at Penarth Dock - Macey, Mules and Wallace Family History . . .

William would have remembered the event from 33 years before, when he was just 26 years old and had worked in the docks for 6 years. Why did he write this? He had been involved in Union activities some 15 years before, so was certainly a supporter in 1873.

William was a committed worker and the diary recorded few leisure opportunities. However, there were some trips to Cardiff with Elizabeth - ‘January 20th 1906 - Me & Mother go to Cardiff Theatre’.

Boots and shoes were very important and were a regular major cost, especially for William as they were vital for his work in the docks. In January 1906, he bought ‘new Working Boots & Mothers new shoes’ at a cost of 14s.10d (74 pence). This was a third of his weekly wage. He bought a new pair again in October 1906 at a cost of 17/- (85 pence).

There were regular payments of 2/6 (12 pence) to a ‘Shepherds Club’. As he was a religious man, this may have been a Christian Cooperative.

In January 1906, there were weekly payments to a Mrs Watts who was making him a ‘serge suit’. At the end of the month, William puts in a double shift followed by 4 night shifts. The financial schedule reveals that he then spent the extra money on the final payment for a ‘serge suit’, pocket money for his two youngest daughters, Emily & May, and new boots for May. His wife Elizabeth bought a new skirt.

February 1906 was also a good month. After 5 night shifts plus overtime on the Saturday, there was ‘steak for tea’, and ‘flannel for Mothers petticoat & my shirt’. At the end of February, William was taken ill. He went to the Cardiff Infirmary for attention. The Schedule then says ‘Pay out 12/- (60 pence) on a/c of my going to Infirmary’. No National Health in those days.

April 1906 was a bad month. William was ill and was off work for a fortnight. He wrote: ‘Home bad. This is another downfall for me. Not feeling well, & take some drink. Very low and cast down, but the Lord is still merciful & helps me once more. I am so thankful to my Heavenly Master that I laid out my money before my sickness came on’. To keep the household going, he also draws 10/- from the Dock Dividend and gets a 10/- ‘sub from Dock Office’. The Shepherds Club which he had been paying into also gives him 12/-.