Ann talks about her father Thornton Thomas, who was a sporting hero in Ilfracombe, a footballer, who was told that ‘he would never be chosen for a first league team, not because he couldn’t play but because he was black’.
Thornton was born in London and it’s believed his father was African-American and that he returned to America.
Thornton’s mother was from the Welsh Valleys. After Thornton was born much of her family disowned her. She moved to Swansea to find work. The work was menial and low paid. Frequently her and her son didn’t have enough food to eat and Thornton would get in trouble with the police for stealing food.
Though a very bright child, Thornton was not encouraged at school and some teachers discriminated against him due to his colour. He’d miss school and spent time around the Swansea Docks where, at the age of 13, he lied about his age and took a job on a ship heading to Ilfracombe.
He liked Ilfracombe and sea life. He’d give his mother all his earnings so she could pay the rent as she’d been threatened with eviction.
Thornton got into some trouble and was sent to Borstal. He thrived on the discipline and caught up on his education there, also learning about seamanship.
When he left he found work on ships going to the Middle East and also the ships sailing across the Atlantic to bring food during war time.
He settled in Ilfracombe and married a local woman, Gladys – Ann’s mother.
He was well-liked in the town and was one of the team to first bring electricity to Ilfracombe.
He was sustained by his love of football and played for the town’s football team.
Ann remembers her father as a brave man who had a good attitude to get him through life. He was always helping others and sided with the underdog.
Listen to highlights from Ann’s interview below:
Highlight 1: Football || Discrimination against parents’ marriage (in Ilfracombe) || Discrimination she faced as a child || Father joining the Navy in WWII [00:00:00 – 00:12:34]
Highlight 2: Ann’s father and how he got on with people || Being a good footballer [00:12:35 – 00:17:11]
Listen to Ann’s full interview here:
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