The company letterhead with the initials LDM/JT. 'JT' typed my reference letter at the completion of my apprenticeship in 1970. Mr. Les MacKenzie was the production director and later became MD whilst 'JT' was Julie Thomas who was shortly to become Mrs. Julie Carder.

I actually commenced the apprenticeship at the end of March 1966, but due to misadventures during the term, having been suspended from work on numerous occasions for miscellaneous misdemeanours, the aggregate suspension time meant that I was supposed to serve an extra six weeks. This was commuted to four weeks upon appeal for good behaviour by Mr. Mackenzie, hence the later start and completion date!

I also spent the whole of the last year working on a drawing board but this was amended to six months in the letter since it was thought that it may be used against me if I applied for a machinists position in another company due to limited experience; and whats-more, Mr. M., I spent a hell of a lot of time using a vertical borer turning railway engine tyres and machining heavy fabrications and castings on the plano-milling machine and crank-shaft grinding and rolling steel plates and on 'guvvy' jobs such as manufacturing numerous components and assemblies for a certain gentleman's 80 foot long, steel hulled, new motor launch. (but I was told to keep my mouth shut about that!). I was also aware that I often contributed to the upkeep and maintenance of the local lifeboat etc. - although I never objected! [001]