Bill Bendelow
Bill belongs to: The Doxford Engine Friends Association
Bill was born in Sunderland in 1927. He served his apprenticeship at the Doxford Engine Works, starting fifth January 1942. After five years at sea he returned to Doxford's where he worked until its closure in March 1987. Bill was the last person to leave Doxford's and was given the task of switching off the power to the works.
Bill was interviewed by Carl Greenwood on 26 January 2006. The interview took place at Sunderland Museum and lasted 40 minutes and 53 seconds.
Packing in the sea
"If ever I got married, I would pack the sea in"
If ever I got married, I would pack the sea in. Because when I used to go from my watch to call somebody else for the next watch, I always seemed to be on this midnight to four o’clock in the morning watch, you know, and likewise, midday to four o’clock in the afternoon watch, you see. And when I used to go and wake up the night shift lad at four o’clock in the morning to get him to come on watch and relieve me, the first thing you saw when you opened the cabin door was a photograph of, say he was married, him and the wife, you know. I said, “I’m not going to be getting out of a bunk to see a photograph of the wife. If I get married, that’s it.”
Bill has 13 memories in the memorynet:
Bill's memories with a Work theme:
First day at Doxford’s- Packing in the sea
- Returning to Doxford's after the merchant navy
- Staying until the closure of Doxford's
- Industrial action at Doxford's
- What does the sea mean to you?
50th birthday card- Workers at Doxford's
- Last day at Doxford's
Bill's other memories:
This memory has these themes:
Change | Relationships | Work
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