George Gardner
George belongs to: The Doxford Engine Friends Association
George was born in 1940 in Hendon. He began his apprenticeship in 1956 and finished in 1961. From Doxford's George served in the merchant navy on tramp ships, cargo liners, container ships and oil tankers until he retired in 2005.
George was interviewed by Carl Greenwood on 26 January 2006. The interview took place at Sunderland Museum and lasted 31 minutes and 54 seconds.
The value of a Doxford's apprenticeship
"It was fascinating. As I say, there was a broad spectrum of people from all walks of life"
It was fascinating. As I say, there was a broad spectrum of people from all walks of life, all types of people. People who were great lads, and people you would cross the street to avoid, you know. When I started in 1956, the figure which comes to my mind then at that time, Doxford’s employed 900 apprentices, now this included lads aged between 15 and 21, and in all departments- that was the engine works, the ship yard, and in all trades, so it’s quite feasible, but that’s the sort of number of people who were employed there. And that was apprentices, that didn’t count the adults, the men, or the girls who worked in the office and things like that, so there would be a considerable number of people just working in that one place.
That’s one of the things I find sad today- that these opportunities are no longer there because that was 900 boys who were off the streets and 900 guys who were operating under a disciplined structure because you had to do as you were told or you were out the door, or you didn’t get paid.
George has 12 memories in the memorynet:
George's memories with a Training theme:
Apprenticeship at Doxford's- Benefits of a Doxford apprenticeship
- The value of a Doxford's apprenticeship
Engineer's Certificate
George's other memories:
This memory has these themes:
The North East | Training | Work
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