I was born in the Borough of Crewe and Nantwich in January 1938 which makes me 70 years of age todate in the picture above I am sitting on the left.
On leaving school in 1951 went into Crewe North Steam Sheds as an engine cleaner,took examinations and progressed to Fireman on these steam engines,one of these locos pictured below.
after several years I took further exams and became a passed fireman,transferred to the south shed firing on the main line on frieght trains and occasional passengers,then returned to the North Sheds to the Perth Link,firing locos pictured to Perth and Glasgow learning to drive also, during this period I was selected to take the Royal Train to Perth where the Royal Family continued to Balmoral for their Summer Holidays.we returned with the Empty train the following day to Crewe,at the end of the Summer break, we returned with the empty train to Perth, then returned the next day with a fully laden Royal Train to Crewe.
I left the Railways Employment in Jan/1970 and became an agent with an Insurance Society,and within four years was promoted to assistant manager. also served as a Special Constable with the Cheshire Constabulary.I was then promoted to Manager at Peterborough branch and after taking the District to the top of the League for the Society I returned to Crewe Heritage Centre as Assistant Manager for the Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council,for the visit of Her Majesy Queen Elizabeth,who was due to officially open the Centre
