The Knocker-Up & the Photographer (1 Viewer)

[Laron]

This is Mary Smith wielding a pea shooter at the east end of London, back in 1931. Her job was to get up early, sometimes at 3am, and rouse clients so they could get to work on time. Most “knocker-ups” used a long light stick, often bamboo, with a piece of wire at the end to reach windows higher up. Mary, and her daughter Molly Moore, had a long rubber tube as a pea shooter, loaded with dried peas. They were paid a few pence for this job and would not leave a window until they were sure their client had risen.

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This image of Mary was taken by policeman John Topham. To carry a camera was against the rules at the time, but he did it anyway. This photo changed his life after he sold it to the Daily Mirror for £5. He then became a freelance photographer, documenting urban life on the expanding edges of south-east London. His photos included ordinary people doing ordinary jobs. Eventually he capturing rural life and in WW2 he took many shots that stirred the emotions. Topham worked continually from 1931 to 1973, documenting (in his words) “the little things of life, the way it really was”.

We all have the capacity to follow our dreams, help others and express our creativity. Do what you feel pulled to do — that which feeds your soul.

 

[Snowmelt]

Gees, the East End of London, eh? at 3:00am. Braving the swirling mists and fog generated by the Thames and the freezing temperatures. But thinking about it, pea-shooters would only ping the one window, not like using a pair of clackers that would awaken the whole street. "Down to the docks with ye" might be the nagging line she would employ once she saw them tottering about.

I wonder what a few pence would buy her? Probably enough oatmeal to make oatcakes on the griddle pan over the coal-fed fire. Yes, you have stirred the imagination.

 

[Laron]

With Jack the ripper hiding around the corner and trying not to put too much power into the shot as to not break a window or wake the neighbors... tough job!

 

[Snowmelt]

Another "historical" note I recall from as late as the early 1980's was the use of the cord and plug telephone exchanges, in South Island, New Zealand. If you wanted waking up early, a physical operator would take the cord and plug into the appropriate spot on the exchange to ring you and give you your wake-up message. With the very limited number of people living in the general area, she probably knew you by name.

 

[June]

Another "historical" note I recall from as late as the early 1980's was the use of the cord and plug telephone exchanges, in South Island, New Zealand. If you wanted waking up early, a physical operator would take the cord and plug into the appropriate spot on the exchange to ring you and give you your wake-up message. With the very limited number of people living in the general area, she probably knew you by name.

I was a telephonist in the 1950s, working on the type of board below, loved it.

 

[Snowmelt]

Yes, I also did telephony work - but in the 1970's. So these exchanges were around for a long time! Imagine the trouble you could cause if you plugged the cord into the wrong hole!

 

[Anaeika]

I was a telephonist in the 1950s, working on the type of board below, loved it.

My grandmother was a switch board operator for the RAF during WWII. Reminds me of her, this picture.

 

[Lila]

A knocker-up is so much more colourful than an alarm. And you can interact with the human there too.