| Description | Interview conducted by Amintha Buckland.
No transcript was made of this recording. This recording has been edited to allow access.
00:00-00:59: Introduction: Graduated in 1947 with University of London Bachelors in Science in Engineering; internal degree of University of London
00:59-07:11: Why Engineering? Remembers interest in engineering as a child, recalls choosing science over Greek at school; mentions starting on Kingston Technical College sandwich course and placement with Holloway Brothers, building Mulberry Harbour for invasion of Europe; mentions Mr Sully, chief engineer of company; mentions Sydney Harbour Bridge; recalls requiring degree in Engineering; remembers completing intermediate course in Engineering in evening classes, then applying to Battersea College
07:11-07:51: First Impressions of Battersea College: describes Battersea Main Building as impressive and well equipped; mentions classrooms, drawing offices and laboratories; mentions Battersea Park
07:51-09:31: Commuting and socialising: recalls cycling to college from home; remembers age 17 when started at college; recalls playing hockey and cricket for college; mentions Saturday afternoon cross country races; mentions social activities, including dances
09:31-11:44: Course structure: lists main subjects, including structural design, theory of machines, hydrodynamics, mathematics; recalls course mostly taught through lectures; remembers use of drawing offices; describes laboratory work on strengths of materials and foundations; remembers surveying course, practical on Wimbledon Common
11:44-12:03: Memorable lecturers: unable to remember names
12:03-14:58: Work experience: recalls organising industrial placements during summer holidays; mentions employment with Holloway Brothers on Gravesend site; mentions floating docks for invasion of Japan; describes career decision after graduation relating to national service; mentions Hiroshima bombing
14:58-17:28: Effect of War: recalls positive attitude; mentions bombing of London; remembers commuting by bicycle across London; mentions rationing of food and petrol; recalls cycling to countryside to stay for weekend at youth hostels
17:28-20:02: After War: recalls election as president of Students' Union during final year; recalls writing article in magazine about increased mix of students following war; mentions ex-servicemen and women keen to get their qualifications after deferment
20:02-21:30: Ex-servicemen students: describes contrast with younger students; recalled students interacted well
21:30-22:56: Students' Union Presidency: describes three main committees, one for sport, one for social events, and one for cultural and current affairs (organised visiting speakers)
22:56-24:22: Music: remembers gramophone in college clubroom playing alternating classical music and jazz; recalls purchasing student tickets for rehearsals at Royal Albert Hall, mentions Sir Thomas Beecham
24:22-25:57: Socialising: remembers living at home, in Worcester Park; remembers studying in evenings; recalls also spent time with girlfriend, Monica, domestic science student at Battersea College; mentions nursing classes; remembers gender balance
25:57-27:53: Events: describes disagreements with Chelsea Polytechnic; recalls taking part in raids to capture mascots
27:53-30:22: Inter-college contact: mentions sports competitions between colleges, hockey and football; describes a harvest camp in summer holiday in Gloucestershire, remembers hotel and catering students organised bed and board; recalls summer competition against Goldsmith College in village near harvest camp
30:22-33:05: Memories: praises education at Battersea College; recalls good balance of theory and practice; remembers charter to become University of Surrey; mentions employment with Atkins, including committee advising University of Surrey on civil engineering degree content
33:05-34:47: Students' Union Magazine: released annually - Polygon; recalls writing article as President of Students' Union concerning influx of ex-servicemen to college
34:47-38:47: Teaching: praises quality of teaching staff; recalls conversation with lecturer about degree result; describes balancing studies with extracurricular activities; remembers studying at Battersea was very rewarding; mentions pride in University of Surrey
38:47 - End
|