Summerland Factory staff photo - Grace is sitting in the front row 4th from the left.
At some point during my grandmothers teenage years she was employed at the Summerland Factory in Rouge Boullion, Jersey, Channel Islands. I know that according to her identity card , on the 16th January 1941, Grace was employed as a machinst. Jersey was being occupied by the Germans at this point.
I haven’t been able to find out much about the factory, unfortunately. I did send the photo to the J.E.P. a few years ago in the hope that they would put it in their Temps Passe section. I never heard back from them, which is a shame and not the first time they have failed to reply. It is a shame on the grounds that I sent it when two of my grandparents were still alive, and therefore so would have been more of their generation. It is possible quite a few locals might have written in to give some very useful feedback and memories. So, I use my blog, this website to share these resources with you.
On the website jersey.com there is a little section about the conditions of everyday life during the Occupation, here is an extract from their page about shopping and a mention of the Summerland factory:
Shopping hours were reduced to 10 am – 12.30 pm, and 2 pm – 4 pm, as goods became scarce. Textile shops were open only on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. They received limited supplies from France, the Summerland factory in Rouge Bouillon, and from local residents. Textile factories were re-opened to provide employment for local women, as well as supplying much needed raw materials.
So these women in the photo above would have had an awful lot of work on their hands. I do not know what work they did exactly although there is a possibilty they made the ‘Jerseys’ and the ‘Guernseys’ jumpers that were often seen worn on the local fishermen. I would love to hear from someone who is more knowledgeable than me in this area, so please fell free to contact me.
The fantastic thing about this photo is not only the image itself, but on the back my grandmother had written down everyone’s name!
My grandmother’s sister Barbara Rabet is also on the photo in the 2nd row, second from the left. I even think that Betty Boucherie that is in the photo is the sister of my other grandmother Edith Bouchere.
Here is a list of the names I could decipher:
Nina Steptowe
Muriel Windsor
Mary Frane
Freda Hutchings
Miss Mallet
Edna Druby
Miss Le Marquand
Mavis ?
Doris Holley
Bessy ? Moyse
Betty Boucherie
Doreen White
Dorothy Wiverl ?
Jose L’affoley
Mrs Sleep
Emmie Hall
Evelyn de Gruchy
Barbara Rabet
Margaret Hunt
Jone Moyse
? Smith
Rhoda Smith
? Lane ?
Grace Rabet
Winnie Norman
Irene Bisson
Mrs Perchard
Joan Labou
Joan De La Cour
Check out this photo, maybe your grandmother or another relation is in the photo somewhere? If so let me know, I would love to hear from you.
HI, I have just enjoyed reading your blog. I was researching Philip O’Toole who was transported from Jersey in 1854/5. The links brought me to the information on Summerland.
I worked there in 1983-6. It was by then owned and operated by Peter Sangan who designed a range of men’s knitwear (high-end) labelled ‘Pierre Sangan’ You are correct that the traditional Jerseys were also made there. I believe originally Summerland was attached to or affiliated with an orphanage and the girls from the orphanage worked at Summerland. The Jersey museum has some info on it.
I’m not sure when it closed down, but was probably in the 1990′s.
Thank you for a very enjoyable read.
Chris
Hi Chris,
Thanks for writing on my blog and sharing some great information. I recall being told that Summerland had been an orphanage too, but know very little about it. Your research into Peter O’Toole sounds fascinating, if you discover any great stories, let me know, you could always do a guest post on this blog if you like!
My mum Jose laffoley is in your photo also Evelyn de gruchy my husband aunt . My mother has passed away now.but Evelyn is still alive, unfortunately not very well. My mother used to darn jumpers and also make them she loved working there it was her happiest time. My mother had a wonderful singing voice . One day they turned all the machines to find out who was singing , And they found out it was her she used to sing all the time at work. She knitted through out her life only stopping in the last few years of her life. Thank you for posting photo it was lovely to see. Regards sue
Dear Susan,
Thank you for sharing your information, especially the lovely story about your mothers singing while working at Summerland Factory. I wish the Jersey Evening Post would do an article about the factory as I am sure there must be more stories out there!
Ramona