| Description | Interview conducted by Frank Clements-Lorford.
00:00-00:25: Introduction
00:25-05:45: Why Battersea? Two choices of industries after A levels, metallurgy and glass technology; found place at Imperial College, but failed first year exams; applied to Battersea College to try again, 1960; Battersea course was more practical and professors were more approachable
05:45-06:59: Accommodation: Halls of residence in Clapham Common North Side, then moved into rented accommodation in Reigate; studies and accommodation funded by scholarship
06:59-10:06: Industrial Placement: sandwich course; Sandwich and Lloyds steelmakers; K&L Steel founders; descibes pay from placements; grant from Bank Clerks' Orphanage
10:06-12:18: Food: Breakfast and evening meals supplied by halls of residence, voucher for Refectory if missed dinner; lunchtime at Refectory or Green Café; The Eagle public house, The Grove public house
12:18-14:37: Staff: very helpful; form tutors; Diploma in Technology sandwich course, two years studying, one year in industry and final year before exams
14:37-24:10: Socialising: Captain of Battersea College Rifle Club for six years, practices in army ranges, Sloane Square and Birdcage Walk, roof of building near Euston Station; college shooting competitions, Bisley, Queen's Prize
24:10-25:54: Metallurgy teaching: Dennis Martin, mineral dressing lecturer
25:54-:: Students: some students told to leave after first or second year; half students were English, some were Scottish, but most were Indian; Polish college had been absorbed, many Polish lecturers, Kopiyak [Kopiak?], Mackowiak, Kontowwd, Miodovnik [Miodownik?], Kell Kloss, Skopiyak [Szkopiak?]
32:11-36:26: First Impressions: Small site, limited parking; lots of underbuildings; lectures in old school over the road; annexe in old swimming pool in Putney, fluids laboratory; postgraduate metallurgy students at primary school; Mervyn Long
36:26-39:33: Work Ethic: attended all lectures; no alcohol on campus, The Eagle and The Grove public houses
39:33-43:02: Students' Union: Rifle Club; RAG week, The Six Bells public house, treasure hunt around central London
43:02-46:55: Memorable people and events: William Joyce; friends with visiting professor; headteacher of Dulwich College became Principal of Battersea Polytechnic
46:55-49:09: Relationships: School at Dulwich College; student halls of residence, gender segregation; recalls dates with female student
49:09-54:44: Doctoral Degree: Board of lecturers requested candidates for doctorates; research funded by Ministry of Aviation; finished at Battersea in May 1968;
54:44-01:01:03: Move to Surrey: Left Battersea College before move to Guildford; employment with Ministry of Defence, wrote up Doctoral Degree in spare time; occassional visits to Dr Miodownik, supervisor; interview with Professor Norman to answer questions on thesis; Victor Kingswood
01:01:03-01:03:39: Student demographic: half of students were Indian, did not mix much, but very friendly; hover craft, Sir Christopher Cockerell
01:03:39-01:09:33: University of London Union: Battersea was a college of the University of London; able to use facilities of Union building; member of the scientific society, went to special lectures; Kremer Prize
01:09:33-01:14:55: Personal Development: series of personal goals; improvement in organisation; enjoyed work with fighting vehicles during Doctoral degree; demonstrated experiments whilst studying for doctoral degree;
01:14:55-01:17:47: Industrial placements: Worked with Telcon in Crawley shortly after school; Stewarts and Lloyds at Corby, Kryn and Lahy Letchworth during undergraduate course
01:17:47-01:18:55: Graduation: 1970, Royal Albert Hall, Queen Mother; wife and mother came to watch, married after submitting thesis
01:18:55-01:22:40: Retirement: holiday on canal boat; still shoots once a week; son is a blacksmith
01:22:40-01:32:02: Battersea memories: shooting in evenings; pub trips; Dennis Marking; Dr Daniel, good at leading discussions; links with industry
01:32:12 - End |