Gordon Lindsley
Gordon belongs to: The Doxford Engine Friends Association
Gordon’s grandfather Ambrose and father Robert worked at Bartram’s shipbuilders. Gordon served his apprenticeship at Doxford's between 1955 and 1961. After his apprenticeship Gordon went to sea on the MV Tactician, built by Doxford's. He finished his working career as a school technician in 2005.
Gordon was interviewed by Carl Greenwood on 9 March 2006. The interview took place at Sunderland Museum and lasted 35 minutes and 1 second.
First day at Doxford's
"15 then isn’t like 15 year olds now"
15 then isn’t like 15 year olds now. 15 year olds are more worldly wise. I wouldn’t say it was educated, more worldly wise, through this television and what have you. So I had a dummy run and my uncle took me to Doxford’s, he said, “we’ll get on a bus,” so we got on a bus at the Blue House and away we went, got off at the top of Watson Street, down to Doxford’s gate, showed me where the gate was and then we came back.
So anyway, the first day my mother was up early, fixes my sandwiches up and my tea and everything, and away I went down to Blue House, and I met this fitter going down and his name was George Parker, actually. And he said, “where are you going, son?” “I’m starting at Doxford’s, mister.” “Oh,” he said, “stick with me, son,” he said, “I’ll show you what to do.” So I went with this George Parker, and away we went. And he showed me to the gatehouse and I reported at the gatehouse. And he said, “now, look, son,” he said, “at bait time, just come up to the canteen and you can have your tea with me,” he said, “and I’ll keep you right.” So I said, “alright, Mr Parker,” and away Mr Parker went.
Anyway, I went to the store, was shown my routine and I went to the canteen after that, at lunchtime, and sure enough, there was George Parker. “Come here son, sit over here, sit with the men,” so I sat with the men, ate my sandwiches, and he was telling me a bit about Doxford’s.
Gordon has 13 memories in the memorynet:
Gordon's memories with a Community theme:
First day at Doxford's
- The apprentice Strike
Union membership card
Gordon's other memories:
This memory has these themes:
Community | Relationships | Roles and Routines | Work
Use this form to add your comment to the memorynet: