LevelItem
Ref NoRMB/30
TitleOral history interview with Dr John Mansell on 30 June 2015
Date30 June 2015
Extent1 wav file and 1 transcript
Name of CreatorUniversity of Surrey, Alumni and Development Department
Clement-Lorford, Francis
Mansell, John
DescriptionInterview conducted by Francis Clement-Lorford.

00:00-00:55: Introduction

00:55-02:12: Why Battersea? Physics was competitive; school recommended Battersea; close to home in Roehampton

02:12-04:02: Course: Started masters degree course after undergraduate degree and moved onto Doctoral Degree after year of research; Ken Folds, supervisor; describes commute to campus

04:02-05:45: Socialising: introduced to classic jazz; dances; Acker Bilk

05:45-06:26: Finances: Support from parents; grant of £7 a term; lived at home; part time work during holidays

06:26-08:32: Activities: Member of Students' Union; University of London Officer Training Corps; guard of honour for Queen Mother during graduations; graduations in Royal Albert Hall

08:32- 11:58: Undergraduate course: Summary of A level Physics at start of course with Dr Heath; Doctoral degree in Microwave Physics; Ken Folds; Professor Collin

11:58-14:04: Employment: role with Phillips; vacuum physics; travelling wave tube

14:04-18:50: Social life: Formal dress for lectures; skiffle group, jazz band; lunchtime recitals on organ; University of London Officer Training Corps, summer camps

18:50-21:36: Memorable characters: Dr Marsh; supervised classes during Doctoral degree; Bet Stern, course on radiation physics

21:36-26:29: Teaching: enjoyed teaching; found value in all of course; external students, studying part time whilst working

26:29-28:16: Romance: Met wife at Battersea College dance during second or third year; she came from Home Economics College, Manor House

28:16-31:25: Other memories: Commuted by bicycle; ate in canteen

31:25-33:16: BBC film: about rivalry between Battersea and Chelsea college; 'So Long to Learn'; boat and jazz band; filmed by river; aired in 1955

33:16-36:23: Events: Territorial Army Jubilee, march past Hyde Park, reviewed by Queen and Duke of Edinburgh; dinner with Queen Mother; Daphne Jackson, first female professor; early use of computers, 1959

36:23-42:14: Value of degree: taught how to research; developing relationships; improving written English

42:14-47:09: 1950s: No alcohol on premises at Battersea College; Edwin Tate library; Polish laboratory assistants; International Evening, Polish dancing

47:46 - End
Administrative HistoryDr John Mansell studied at Battersea from 1955 to 1961 (BSc and PhD) Physics
LanguageEnglish
CopyrightCopyright of the University of Surrey
FormatAudio
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