Description:My name is Floribell Banbury and I was born in the Parish of St Ann, in a little district named Retirement in Jamaica. I came to England on the 4th June 1958, after travelling for 14 days by boat. This was my first long distance journey. I landed at Southampton Port. I managed to get a train from here to New Street, Birmingham. I clearly remembered that I had lost my suitcase at the time. It was mistakenly taken by someone else and I was really upset and was kindly instructed to stay on the train until New Street was announced.
I got a taxi to join my brother who was living in Bracebridge Street, Aston. My brother was contacted that very evening by the person who had taken my suitcase by mistake and I was thankful for this small blessing. I really missed my parents and the rest of my brothers and only sister.
My first job in this country was at the Cabden Hotel on Cherry Street, Birmingham, which is now known as Rackham’s. I worked there for nine months and left because of low wages. I got another job with British Rail working as a carriage service woman. I worked here for ten months until I started my own family. I had two sons and two daughters. I went back to work in 1968 at Good Hope Hospital in Sutton Coldfield until my retirement in 1994.This photograph was taken during my retirement celebration. I finished working at Good Hope maternity hospital after nearly 27 years of service as an auxiliary nurse.
Photograph courtesy of Floribell Banbury