Last year I published on this blog an article about Miss Lorna Dawes and her memories of working ‘inside’ (that is inside the GWR Works). Yvonne Neal, of the Swindon branch of the Wiltshire Family History Society, has managed to collate the articles Lorna wrote for that Society’s newsletter and has kindly given me permission to print them here. Yvonne also contacted Lorna’s brother Ken who has supplied this photograph of his sister. So, published here in three instalments is a piece of Swindon’s history – Lorna’s story – in her own words.
GWR Memories – Lorna Dawes
Swindon Railway Works grew over many years and became the site of a fantastic organisation, with many sub-sections and with everything needed to support and organise the volume of work, i.e. possibly more than one locomotive a week. Even had its own window cleaners, clock man and master clocks connection to Greenwich time, ambulance, fire engine etc. all in situ.
As a shy 14 year old, I came for interview with my mother, but really wanted to work in a flower nursery, not that there was any work experience in those days.
I joined an army of boy and girl office messengers, some in the main offices and others in workshop offices, dealing with immediate personnel. I ended up in No. 13 Staff Office (see further information below); the hub of the Works and in control of quite a few events all over the West and Wales. One small element was the letting of railway houses and cottages, which included a crossing cottage in the west, which carried the comment ‘water in churns’. It set me wondering at the possible difficulties.
I’ve realised lately that, whilst someone must have introduced me to my job, I actually ended up running it all myself as regards programming. It was extremely busy and most of it physical as I went to so many areas and hardly stopped. It was a job I loved and led on to all kinds of interests, so I never regretted it and I’ve always had friends.
The whole background was a pride-based one and it wasn’t unusual for new engines to bring an admiring crowd along the lines.
The messengers went on to apprenticeships for the boys and office jobs for some of them also, as well as clerical posts for the girls.
I had already started shorthand and typing privately, and it became a condition of work to proceed so I went to night school three nights a week 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm at the college in Sanford Street, which included Commerce, English and Arithmetic. The work-related ones were sometimes taught by men (Clerks) from the Works. I managed 130 wpm shorthand and really loved it.
The only way I was ever given ‘instructions’ was as part of a bell system for individuals, and I was about four or five rings to go to an officer at post time. For instance:
Early morning: sorted copies of last night’s post and distributed
Every morning: Bank bags to Railway Bank on London Street
Sometimes called into the Railway Union Group in next street, or Railway Club, Bridge Street.
On return every day, collected Time Book at main entrance. This contained information on anyone leaving/returning from outside the Works.
Then round the offices obtaining signatures to cover reasons given i.e. dentist, surgery, etc.
Then made coffee, individual cups for about 25, and washed up downstairs.
I was responsible for obtaining and distributing dusters, towels, soap, string etc. to ‘my’ office, around 25, and sometimes to General Stores, which was between the Main Offices and the Station. It was a large building with three floors and I had to find the correct location.
The Stationery Office and another office was accessed by crossing all the lines in front of the Engine Shed where engines were being shunted and men cleaning. (Graded – cleaner, fireman and then driver.) The Stationery Office had typing paper, some water-marked, ink pens and also confetti from punch cards!
The Duplicating Office was in the wall of the Body Shop. Here there was the traverser hazard and I quite often had to divert. I had to go there a lot and quite often in a rush with special or urgent notices. Printing was slow and with a hand roller, one at a time, which meant I had to wait around.
At Park House I saw drivers with piles of coloured wool which were used to give vital eyesight checks. Yes!! Also went into the cellar for old files, some were accident originals.
At the Mechanics Institute, I had to transport books to and fro between ‘Officers’ who read and vetted books before they were put on display in the Mechanics Library (may be something no one knew).
I took ‘travellers’ to the Loco or Carriage Works and also interviewees to the Carriage Canteen.
Sometimes I was sent to the Loco Canteen, for clerks who needed sandwiches because they had unexpectedly to work overtime. The Loco Canteen was underground and in electric light.
The Works had its own Telephone Exchange – push/pull units.
The Head Messenger’s office, Mr Bill Ferris, was where the postal boxes were kept.
The Storehouse consisted of three floors and was to the rear of the offices. Very creepy there as it was quite often empty except for files.
I also had to go to the Laboratory at Church Place.
The Drawing Offices were on the third floor, main building – you could see Purton from the landings.
The above were my duties, and places I had to go in the mornings. In the afternoons:
Make tea and wash-up.
Get post signed and despatched – that was very busy
Works Cash Office
Visit to the fourth floor – no lift, exhausting!
Mileage Office – SPL, toilet for older women in this office!
Extra jobs would include advertisers and lardies
A little story: I was sent in search of saccharines (sweeteners) for a desperate officer one day after Bank duty!
These are all rough memories but my work seemed to get more and more interesting all the time.
I spoke before about No. 13 Office. The layout in 1945 was:
Boss of Staff Office – Percy Mills
Deputy – Ted Click – in the corner was my bit of desk and a cupboard
Four typists – I was one here, later. One of the typists was a big fan of WEA Hikers and I joined. Another was the daughter of Louis Page, Football Manager. She took me to the Isle of Man, with two others, when I was around 14½.
Then there were row of Clerks.
More than once I passed F.W. Hawksworth, Chief Mechanical and Electrical Engineer, in the tunnel. My wages in 1945 were 18/- a week. (approx. 90p).
I probably have enough to fill my own book with my very wide GWR experiences and, in fact, Rosa Matheson has used a lot of my information. I once gave an hour’s talk to the Railway Lounge Group.
To be continued …
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