Comments

29 Jan 24 16:46   Roger Hale from Topsfield, Massachusetts, USA

I was very interested to come across this website yesterday in searching for possilbe information on the apprentice school at DH Portsmouth. I joined in March of 1952 and left there in March of 1960. I got interested in the the programme after hearing a lecture by Jack Glover and well remember him. Several of the names mentioned are familiar. I went flying with Barry Lance, remember Godfrey Knight and Mick Vaughn. The latter dived with Alan Lee and myself for a while. Alan was my best friend up until his recent death. From 1962 on I worked for a while with Bill Cole and George Williams at their small factory called Redform Engineering. Redform derived from redundant foremen. If anyone out there remembers, and would like to contact, me please do so at rh627@msn.com. I now live north of Boston in Massachusetts.

05 Jan 22 21:37   Derek Knight from Idsworth Hampshire

I was in the September 1955 intake and read the article by Bob Wright which brought back many memories. My brother Godfrey was part of the intake featured in the article and has sadly died recently. I am still working and sometimes use the tools made in the training school. A dockyard apprentice and myself started a small engineering company in the 1970s and his wife is the daughter of Ted ( Chippy ) Carpenter who taught us the basics of fitting and machining, I was fortunate enough to take both of the courses.

15 Jun 17 21:39   Allen Hawkins from Jersey

I read your article with interest. My father, Les Hawkins, variously operated the hugh Brake press and was foreman of the workshops . He was with the firm untill it closed.

22 Mar 15 04:40   Jim Wade from Australia

I joined in September 1954. The name of some of my fellow trainees I remember are Brian Collins (still in contact and lives in Weymouth), Brian Russell, Trevor Scott, Dave Marks, Mike Smith, Dave Kenna and Dick Mundell. Some of the first things we had to do was craft a 6 inch long 1/2 inch square bar from a piece of 1 inch thick boilerplate using a hammer and cold chisel and files. I still have the scars on the knuckles of my thumb and first finger. Also remember making the washer vice, the drill vice and the inside and outside callipers - I still have and use them occasionally. Had a great time going around the various shops and departments - especially the tool-room. Used to cycle there from Copnor and seem to remember the wind was always against me whichever way I was going especially when it was raining. When the weather was rough I used to get soaked when the waves broke over the sea-wall across Eastern Road. Transferred to the Christchurch stress office for the last six months of my apprenticeship and then when it was transferred to Hatfield went there initially doing type recording of the Sea Vixen and then doing all the stressing of the flaps, ailerons, airbrakes and the wing panels of the DH125. Had a great time at Hatfield and six of us still get together with our better halves when I visit the UK (doing so again this October). The DH Technical school provided me with a great start to my working life and I have many fond memories of time working for DH. I still am in contact with Keith (Dick) Travers (who also lives in Australia) and John Smith, two apprentices who started at Portsmouth in September 1955. Would love to hear from any of my 1954 intake. Jim Wade.
USE 'CONTACT US' TO GET IN TOUCH WITH JIM

12 Dec 14 18:55   Chrisopher Fuchter from Paris

I joined DH Portsmouth in Feb 1957 and remember Mr Fox (Foxy) and (chippy) Carpenter . I learnt to fly at the Portsmouth Aero Club with the Mitchels as instructors, amongst others and cadged flights with Mr. Snooks.

10 Apr 09 22:44   Tony Kemp from Cowplain, Hampshire

I very much enjoyed reading your article, which brought back a lot of memories! My good friend Brian Wood and myself would be interested in meeting with you. Brian (who lives at Chessington), and I, were DH Apprentices at the Portsmouth factory from 1957 to 1961. We cannot remember a group photograph being taken of the 1957 entry, which was a great pity. A group photo of the 1956 Portsmouth Apprentice entry appeared in the Portsmouth News earlier this week. I recognised the name of the sender, who lives in Portsmouth. I will endeavour to contact him. Best regards, Tony Kemp

08 Aug 08 01:02   John Mills from Los Angeles

Neville Shute's autobiography "Slide Rule" is well worth reading. John Mills Christchurch 1956-61

Comment on this article

Enter your comment below. Please make sure you enter your name and a valid email address. Your name, but not your email address, will be published on the website.