Manor House
"If I'd been born 100 years ago a woman of my class would almost certainly have been in service. And I'd like to know what that meant." Antonia, kitchen maid
THE PROJECT|THE HOUSE|THE PEOPLE|EDWARDIAN LIFE|YOU IN 1905|TREATS|SNOB QUIZ
A collection of archived photographs

You are a Dock Labourer!
- A Snapshot of your life as it might have been in 1905

Education
You won't go to school.

Career Prospects
Your health is poor and you can't afford to see a doctor. When you feel well enough, you pick up casual work, mainly as a dock labourer. You do 18 hour days from dawn to dusk in summer.

Leisure Time
You're a Labour supporter and believe the party is trying to help working men like you. You have the odd flutter on the horses when you can and you regularly use a pawnbrokers to tide you over until you get paid.

Living Conditions
You live in one room with your brother's family. You live in the same house as families of Polish Jews who've fled from persecution. Often you're not able to afford to eat and pay rent. When this happens, you queue up in the street for hand-out food parcels which are distributed by charities. By the age of 13 your nephew will go in front of the magistrate more than once for drunken behaviour and using obscene language in public.

Marital Relations
You never marry but you enjoy a trip to the brothel when you've got enough cash.

World War One
You buy a third class ticket for the maiden voyage of the new White Star Liner, Titanic in 1912, hoping to escape from your life here. You drown while trying to escape from the hold.

Position in Society

Position in society
Further up Your life as it might have been further UP or DOWN society's ladder.
Further down
Position in society Position in society

Other Possible Occupations
Blacksmith, Bricklayer, Weaver, Postman, Railway platelayer, Dock labourer, Sawyer, Porter

General Statistics

  • In 1910, there were only 1000 divorces a year
  • A married couple would not normally share a bedroom
  • There was no National Health Service or social security service

Background to You in 1905