Those we have known and loved? - 5
"Corrugated" was well known as being light fingered, he got his nickname from his hair style. It was a series of waves across the top of his head, it reminded us of a sheet of corrugated cardboard or steel as used in air raid shelters, hence the name.
If anything went "missing" it was usually when he had been in the vicinity. The dept. that I worked in used 240 volt electric light bulbs, most of the factory used 120 volt ones.
The electrician found that a number of his stock of bulbs had gone AWOL, he discovered them in Corrugateds coat pocket. I was asked, if and when he was working away from his coat, would I smash the bulbs inside his pocket without him knowing. This I did because others got the blame when he got up to his tricks.
The following day he returned to work, and not word was said, we expected him to come in with his fingers bandaged, there was not a scratch, but no more light bulbs went missing.
Johnny M; was a simple soul, he had served in a mortar unit during the War, and had suffered from a German unit mortaring them in return.
The cruel amongst us said that when they put him back together they left a few bits out.
He could never understand why when he had been told to kill as many Germans as possible. he then found wounded Germans being treated in the same hospital as him!
As a millwrights mate he was at the "beck and call" of the men he worked with, this meant that a variety of harmless tricks were played on him.
Cruel, but this was factory humour in the 1960's. One prank played on him involved a capstan lathe, we had transported it from one end of the factory to the other.
At its destination it was unloaded from the lorry, and placed into position with the help of an overhead crane.
The millwright, with a knowing wink to me, asked John to switch the machine on "to make sure it still works, and we have not broken it during the transporting of it", bearing in mind that it wasn't even wired up. "Bugger me" says the millwright, "it must be broke". There happened to be a few spare bulbs lying in the machine. "Try fitting some new bulbs John, and lets see if we can get it going". new bulbs were fitted,the effect was the same, the machine still didn't work. "Sod this" said the millwright, "let's clear off before anyone finds out we've bust it"
A hasty departure was made with John not twigging what had gone on!
Corrugated...Real name Frank B....., otherwise Frank the Dip ? I did the last 2 years of my Apprenticeship in the "Bond Trades" Department, situated opposite the Oscott Canteen and part of Witton Site Services.
"Bond" because the Block was, previously, a Bonded Warehouse, "Trades" because , from the Top end was;
1, The Fleet Motor Garage Workshop.
2, The Carpenters and Casemakers Shop
3, Mechanical Services, comprising,
i) Lifting Appliance Fitters (me, another 6 Fitters and 2 Mates
ii) Scale and Weighbridge Technicians
iii) A Store, holding Lifting Appliances and Spares, Jack's, Slings, Crane Wires, Hoist Chains for the whole Witton Site
iv) Scale and Weighbridge Fitters
v) Steel Erectors
vi) A Fabrication Welder
vii) a Records Clerk who logged all repairs, installations, service schedules, inspection records for EVERY piece of Lifting Equipment over the Whole of the Witton Site as it was deemed to be a Specialist Department with Trade Certificated Fitters who were the only Technicians Trained to carry out Repairs and Servicing to Cranes, Hoists and Lifting Appliances
4, Building Services, comprising, Plumbers, Builders, Bricklayers,General Labourers.
Other Elements of Witton Site Services were;
1, "Steam, Water and Gas" who were and installation and Service/Repair Department for anything carried inside Pipework. Their Central Shop was not far from the Main Gate at Witton.
2, "Central Electricians" who were responsible for Servicing and Installation of Electrical Systems and Services. Their Department was situated just inside the site, not far from the Amal Carbs Factory on Holford Road.
In addition
Most Mills and Factories had their own Maintenance Fitters and Electricians for dealing with their own, particular, Production Equipment, but Anything outside of this was Handled by Witton Trades.
Fair old memories stirred there, considering that I left in
Those we have known and loved? - 5
"Corrugated" was well known as being light fingered, he got his nickname from his hair style. It was a series of waves across the top of his head, it reminded us of a sheet of corrugated cardboard or steel as used in air raid shelters, hence the name.
If anything went "missing" it was usually when he had been in the vicinity. The dept. that I worked in used 240 volt electric light bulbs, most of the factory used 120 volt ones.
The electrician found that a number of his stock of bulbs had gone AWOL, he discovered them in Corrugateds coat pocket. I was asked, if and when he was working away from his coat, would I smash the bulbs inside his pocket without him knowing. This I did because others got the blame when he got up to his tricks.
The following day he returned to work, and not word was said, we expected him to come in with his fingers bandaged, there was not a scratch, but no more light bulbs went missing.
Johnny M; was a simple soul, he had served in a mortar unit during the War, and had suffered from a German unit mortaring them in return.
The cruel amongst us said that when they put him back together they left a few bits out.
He could never understand why when he had been told to kill as many Germans as possible. he then found wounded Germans being treated in the same hospital as him!
As a millwrights mate he was at the "beck and call" of the men he worked with, this meant that a variety of harmless tricks were played on him.
Cruel, but this was factory humour in the 1960's. One prank played on him involved a capstan lathe, we had transported it from one end of the factory to the other.
At its destination it was unloaded from the lorry, and placed into position with the help of an overhead crane.
The millwright, with a knowing wink to me, asked John to switch the machine on "to make sure it still works, and we have not broken it during the transporting of it", bearing in mind that it wasn't even wired up. "Bugger me" says the millwright, "it must be broke". There happened to be a few spare bulbs lying in the machine. "Try fitting some new bulbs John, and lets see if we can get it going". new bulbs were fitted,the effect was the same, the machine still didn't work. "Sod this" said the millwright, "let's clear off before anyone finds out we've bust it"
A hasty departure was made with John not twigging what had gone on!
"Corrugated" aka "The Dip" or Frank B.....
