The Intrepid Apprentice Book

This is basically a true story of my first year as an apprentice mechanic commencing in the year of 1955. Though the incidents are based on actual happenings, they have been embellished somewhat to give a little extra spice and comedy for the reader's benefit. The place and character names have been changed to protect the area and of course, the individuals, though there are only one or two of the original "crew" still living. My story essentially has been written to enable the reader to appreciate just what it was like 50 years ago: the conditions, the types of vehicles, the scant regard for the work force which would never be allowed to exist today. The fact that I was told by my father where I would be working and what trade I would follow, irrespective of my own wishes, was then the norm. I was born in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, in November 1939. My wife (Trina) and I married in 1962 and have two married daughters and four grandchildren. My wife was born in Hinckley, and I came to Hinckley with my parents in 1946. Apart from a period of three years (1979-1982) we have lived in the area ever since.