Ferranti

Apprentices

Names

Thank you to Alex Jackson for sending me the photo at the top of this page.

Thank you to Alex and others for sending me the names of most of the apprentices in the photo.

These are the names that Alex and others have supplied:

BACK ROW

George Goudall, Alex Morris, Joe Devine, Murray Sinclair (Soup), John Stirton, David Flight, Jim McLaughlan, Colin Adams, ? ,Duncan Kent, Selwyn Johnstone, ? , ? , Alan Lugton, John Inglis, John Smith (big Smithy), David Begbie, Norrie Ross, Jimmy Maitland, Bob Clark, David Colburn, Denis Stanton

SECOND ROW

George Reid, Tom Ashburner, Peter Lynch, George Lunn, Alex Graham, Ian Horsburgh, Jim Henderson, Jack Millar, Bill Sinclair, ? , Davie Anderson, Kenny Wilson, Gordon Aitchison, Graham Smart, Jackie McNamara, John Scott, Alex Jackson, Alan Alcorn, Bill Hunter, Bill Young, ? ,David Ogilvie

THIRD ROW

Curly Martin, Mike Paterson,? ,? ,? ,?, Eric Black, Cliff Anderson, Bill Dykes, Bob Morton, Roddy Mackay, John Byrne, Ally Marshall, Jim Clement, Bob Liddle, Bob Galloway, Bob Newlins, ? , ? ,Ronald Harvey, Adrain Howells, John McLean, Gordon Ramsay

FRONT SITTING

Pat Bale, Laurie Jardine, Willie Pattison, Bobby Johnstone, Eddie McDonald, Alex Scott, John McGillivray, Graham Kennedy, Norrie Paterson, John Cameron, Jock Corbett, David Sorley, Bill Prentice, Arthur McLean, Bill McCreadie, Jimmy Miller, Charlie Inglis, Mr Bristow**, John Sinclair, Ian Farquarson, Jim Dawson, John Whitson, Donald Simpson, Alan Ruddy, Graham Scobie

FRONT ON GROUND

? , Jim Cairney, ? , Peter Allan, Dowell, Tom Dobie, Tommy Thomson, Cameron Mitchell, Peter Benson (Benny) , Ben Kelly, George Brimms, Kenny Headspeath, Eddie Odonnell, ? , Jim Stables, Benny Boorman, ? , ? , John Scott, Allan Pryde

** = See also 'Recollections 9' below.

Thanks for the names above, to Alex Jackson, Mortonhall, Edinburgh: August 19, 2009

Thank you, also, to the other contributors below::

- Bill Hunter for the names added in blue above.

- John Stirton for the names added in maroon above.

- Bill Dykes for providing the names in green above

- Duncan Kent for providing the names in red above (22 Aug 13, via Alex Jackson)

- Alex Jackson for providing the names in purple above 24 Sep 2016, following another gathering of the 1963 Apprentices held on 23 Sep 2016.

Recollections

Alex Jackson

Mortonhall, Edinburgh

In August 2009, Alex Jackson wrote:

Group Photos

"Most of the people in this photo started with Ferranti in 1963.

Ferranti were a major employer in Edinburgh at that time. The yearly apprentice intake reflected this."

Alex Jackson, Mortonhall, Edinburgh: August 19, 2009

Reunions

"A 25th Anniversary re-union took place in 1988
We intend to have a 50th Anniversary re-union in 2013 .

If anyone in this photo would like to contact me, I would be pleased to hear from them."

Alex Jackson, Mortonhall, Edinburgh: August 19, 2009

"What Im really looking for are contacts from the 1965 photo to build up information for our 2013 re-union.

In the 1960s and 1970s literally thousands of apprentices went through the Ferranti training schools. I find that nearly everyone in Edinburgh that I come into contact with knows someone who worked in Ferranti at some time.

Alex Jackson, Mortonhall, Edinburgh: August 26, 2009

In January 2012, Alex added:

Update

The Next Reunion

"We have now set a date for the 50th Anniversary Reunion. It will be held on Saturday 17 August, 2013."

Alex Jackson, Mortonhall, Edinburgh: January 4, 2012

Messages for Alex Jackson

If you'd like to contact Alex to learn more about this reunion, or for any other reason, , please email me, then I'll pass your message on to him. Thank you.

- Peter Stubbs: January 4, 2012

Recollections

Bill Hunter

Silverknowes, Edinburgh

Thank you to Bill Hunter, has also contacted me.

Bill, who still works at Ferranti, now Selex Galileo, wrote:

1963

"I joined Ferranti in 1963 as an apprentice. We were all sent to Couper street training school in Leith for a year.

Every year a group photo was taken for posterity. These were posted on the walls of the training school

Bill Hunter: August 24, 2009

Bill added that he still has the original copy of the 1964 Ferranti Apprentices' photo that was hung on the wall at the training school.

Recollections

John Stirton

Portobello, Edinburgh

Thank you to John Stirton, now living in Portobello, who wrote:

Where are they now?

"I am on the back row of this photo, near to (Soup) AKA Murray Sinclair, Alex Graham and Ian Horsburgh.

Does anybody know where Ian Horsburgh or Alex Graham is now? I'd like to make contact with them.

I did not make it to the last reunion as I was working offshore in Africa."

John Stirton, Portobello, Edinburgh: October 30, 2009

Answer?

If you can help to answer John's question, please email me, then I'll pass your message on to him.

Peter Stubbs: August 30, 2009

Update - Ian Horsburgh

Thank you to Bill Hunter for telling me where Ian Horsburgh was living at the time of the Ferranti Apprentices' first reunion in 1988. I have passed on the information to John Stirton who asked the question above.

Peter Stubbs: September 1, 2009

Recollections

Bill Dykes

Thank you to Bill Dykes who wrote:

More Names

"I am Bill Dykes, third row between Cliff Anderson and Bob Morton.

In the front row, between Cameron Mitchell and Ben Kelly is Peter Benson (Benny) at that time from Dysart.

Last on the front row beside John Scott is Allan Pryde.

Reunions

I would be interested in hearing more about the planned reunion if you can pass on my details"

Bill Dykes: February 9, 2011

I've now added the names that Bill and others above have provided to the list near the top of this page. I don't have any details of the proposed reunion myself, but I have passed Alex Jackson's contact details to Bill.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: February 12, 2011

Recollections

Patrick Lindsay

Perth, Western Australia

Thank you to Patrick Lindsay who wrote:

Nuclear Enterprises and Ferranti

"I'm wondering if this photo is 1963, as I left school in 1965, apprenticed to Nuclear Enterprises (Sighthill).

Nuclear Enterprises was a competitor with Ferranti for electronics technician apprentices but had a much, much smaller intake.

I and the other two NE technician apprentices in 1965 attended electronics craft training with about 15 or so new Ferranti lads, for a year. We were based in Leith Tech (Nautical College, I think) right beside Leith Academy near the foot of Easter Road."

Day Release

"The whole class went up to Lorne Street School to have weekly English and Current Affairs education for about 2 hours.

We also had, one day per week, day release to Napier College of Science and Technology. Yes, that was it's name then!

The photo may be of only the Mechanical or possibly only the Craft apprentices."

Qualifications

"I had two particular friends from Ferranti in that class who I have not heard of since, and I cannot see them in the picture?

They were:

- Tom Harrison, who lived at Blackhall.

- Peter ...?... , who lived on Milton Road near ASDA.

We all got ONCs in Electrical Engineering in our final exams at Napier in May 1967.

Anyone who attended the industry Electronics Apprentices Classes at Leith, around that time will remember Ken Bailey, the boss and a very, very nice person."

Patrick Lindsay, Perth, Western Australia: February 13, 2011

Reply to Patrick?

If you know where Peter's two friends above might be now, please email me, than I'll pass on your message to him. Thank you.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: February 13, 1011

Recollections

Allan Brown

Canada

Thank you to Allan Brown who wrote:

1964

"I started as an apprentice (electronics) in 1964. I first went to Dean School then to the main building at Crew Toll. I then moved to the labs at Crew Toll, then Dalkeith and finally to the biscuit factory.

I believe I was also at Couper St for a short while. I also went, one day per week, day release to Napier College. I left the company in 1970 and moved to Canada

The only person I can remember who was in my class is Robin (Robert, Bob) Turfus."

Allan Brown, Canada: February 19, 2011

Recollections

Christopher Wood

near Kelso, Borders, Scotland

Thank you to Christopher Wood who wrote:

1952

Cooper Street School

"Ferranti Ltd. of Ferry Road, Edinburgh took over the ground floor of Cooper Street School, Leith, in 1952 for their Apprentice School. The intake in those days was enormous, and there were over 100 apprentices there."

Fire

"When in Leith, some ten years ago, I looked in on the site of Cooper Street School, only to find it razed to the ground. I understand that vandals broke in when the building stood empty and set it on fire. Only the Porter's Lodge now remains with its bell tower.

Like many Edwardian buildings, the floors were constructed of heavy timber. This is why the building burned so fiercely when the vandals set it alight."

Christopher Wood, near Kelso, Borders, Scotland: May 27, 2011

1952 Photo

Please click on the thumbnail image below to see the 1952 photograph of Ferranti Apprentices that Christopher sent to me.

Recollections

Christopher Wood

near Kelso, Borders, Scotland

Thank you to Christopher Wood who wrote:

1952

Cooper Street School

Fire

Like many Edwardian buildings, the floors were constructed of heavy timber. This is why the building burned so fiercely when the vandals set it alight."

Christopher Wood, near Kelso, Borders, Scotland: May 27, 2011

1952 Photo

Please click on the thumbnail image below to see the 1952 photograph of Ferranti Apprentices that Christopher sent to me.

Recollections

Tam Smith

Germany

Thank you to Tam Smith who went to Peffermill then Niddrie Marischal schools (where he was known by his middle name, David Smith) for writing:

Apprentice

"After leaving school, I became a Ferranti apprentice. Couper Street was where we picked up our wages on a Friday.

I spent a year at the Telford annex at Sighthill and another year in the Dean Village."

Emigration

"I left Scotland for Germany in 1971, and have been here ever since."

Tam Smith (David Smith), Germany: July 20, 2011

Recollections

Neil MacLeod

Thank you to Neil MacLeod who wrote:

1969-70

Arthur Maclean

"I came across the EdinPhoto web site recently while searching for information on Arthur Maclean. He was Head of Mechanical Apprentice Training when I was there around 1970. Sadly, he passed away a few weeks ago.

Fred Bristow

"Mr Bristow who appears in the photo at the top of this page is Fred Bristow. He died quite young when I was still at the 'school'.

More Photos

"I have a photo of the Ferranti apprentices for 1970, and I did have one for 1969."

Neil MacLeod: September 20, 2011

Recollections

10.

George Goudie

Thank you to George Goudie who wrote:

Couper Street School

"It may interest you to know that Couper Street School was in use to teach technical subjects to pupils from Broughton Secondary until at least 1961.

I know this for certain, as several pupils, including myself, managed to achieve Higher Technical Subjects while attending there.

We were released from the School several days a week and made our way down there from McDonald Road.

Couper Street School itself was still in use as a Ferranti apprentice training department at that time."

George Goudie: March 13, 2012

Recollections

11.

Bill Hunter

Silverknowes, Edinburgh

Thank you to Bill Hunter for writing again in response to George Gouldie's comments in Recollections 10 above.

Bill wrote:

Ferranti Apprentices

"I see that George Goudie says Broughton pupils were sent to Couper Street School, but I was at Broughton until 1963 and we were sent to Leith Academy for technical subjects, so I wonder if George may be mistaken.

We went to the annex across the street from the main Academy building."

Bill Hunter: April 23, 2012

Recollections

12.

Bill Hunter

Silverknowes, Edinburgh

Bill Hunter also sent a message about the proposed Reunion for Ferranti employees, mentioned by Alex Jackson in Recollections 1 above.

Bill wrote:

Ferranti Apprentices' Reunion

"We are trying to get the details of everyone who started in 1963 so that we can get as large a crowd as possible.

Before I retire in November of this year, to celebrate our 50 year reunion I am going to arrange for us to have a tour of the factory so that everyone can see what it’s like now.

Alex is proposing Saturday 17th August 2013 for the Reunion. The factory tour would need to happen on a working day, so that would probably be Friday 16th August 2013."

Bill Hunter: April 23, 2012

Attending the Reunion

If you'd like to be part of the Reunion, please email me, then I'll pass your message on to Alex Jackson. Thank you.

- Peter Stubbs: May 10, 2012

Recollections

13.

John Stirton

Offshore, Israel

John Stirton wrote

John wrote:

50 Year Reunion

"I was one of the apprentices in this photo:

I was in touch with Bill Hunter about the 50 Year Reunion in on 17 August next year. It would be great if I could be home then.

I still work offshore in Israel. Any contact would be good."

John Stirton, Offshore, Israel: October 15, 2012

Recollections

14.

Betty Hepburn (née Boland)

Waikanae, Kapiti Coast, New Zealand

Betty Hepburn wrote:

David Begbie

"I recognise my husband's cousin, David Begbie, standing at the back of this photo, 6th in from the left.

He travels with his job to Asia and other places, but is due to retire next year. I think his home base is Falkirk."

Betty Hepburn (née Boland), Waikanae, Kapiti Coast, New Zealand: October 24, 2012

Recollections

15.

George Black

Leyburn, Yorkshire, England

George Black wrote:

Apprentices

"I'm interested in the Ferranti Apprentices Reunion in August this year. I started my apprenticeship at Crewe Toll in September 1950. At that time, the usual intake was around 18 lads.

Classroom + Workshop

There were two rooms added on at the top of the machine shop, one being a classroom and the other a workshop. The first year lads had the classroom in the morning and the workshop in the afternoon. The teacher was Bert Agar and the Workshop instructor Bob Longdon.

Wages + Hours

We started at 7.45am and finished, if I remember correctly, at 5.30pm. We also worked on Saturday mornings and had to attend evening classes 3 nights a week. Our starting wage was 29 shillings and 10 pence in the old currency.

I remember being a bit dischuffed when I found that we did not get a Christmas Holiday - just 2 days at New Year.

Research Labs

After I had been there about 18 months, the Research Labs decided to take on two apprentices on a trial basis and, as I was interested in electronics, I applied. Along with Hamish Murray, I moved to the Radar Lab and remained there until 1959 when I was called up for service in the RAF.

Nuclear Enterprise

On leaving the RAF in February 1961, I went to the R&D Department of Nuclear Enterprises where i worked with a number of ex-Ferranti personnel. At that time it was a small, but expanding company and did not take on apprentices."

George Black, Leyburn, Yorkshire, England: February 25, 2013

Recollections

16.

George Black

Leyburn, Yorkshire, England

Thank you to George Black for following up his 'Recollections 15' above.

George wrote:

Couper Street School

"I forgot to say that around spring 1952, the apprentices were moved out of the classroom and workshop on top of Ferranti's Machine Shop, temporarily to different departments, while Couper Street School at Leith was being converted for their use from summer 1952.

I was one of the apprentices at Couper Street School, but I was only there for a short time before moving permanently to the Radar Lab.

One snag with that was that I had to drop the Higher National Studies and attend evening classes for the City and Guilds Radio and Telecommunications Certificates. That was the normal certification for the electronic technicians.

Most of the technicians in the Radar Lab were ex-navy or ex-air force technicians, or ex- merchant navy radio officers."

George Black, Leyburn, Yorkshire, England: February 27, 2013

Recollections

17.

Duncan Kent

New Zealand

I'm still receiving messages from around the world from people who would like to learn more about the Ferranti Apprentices' Reunions.

Duncan Kent wrote:

Reunion - 2013

"I was looking at info on Ferranti when I saw this 1965 photo and read about the reunion on 17 August .

I am Duncan Kent in the middle of the back row. I was in the group that started at Lorne St. in 1964. I have been living in New Zealand since 1974.

It just so happens that I will be in Scotland in August and will be able to come to the reunion. Could you let me know the venue for the reunion and any relevant information."

Duncan Kent, New Zealand: June 9, 2013

I've now forwarded Duncan's message to Alex Jackson and have asked him to give Duncan the details of the reunion.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: June 9, 2013

Recollections

18.

Brian Jeffrey

Brian Jeffrey also asked about the 2013 Reunion.

Brian wrote:

Reunion - 2013

"Can you send me information on the August reunion, I am a former 1963 Ferranti apprentice (Pre apprentice), Easter intake. We went straight to Lorne street as the first intake of electronics apprentices?

While not in the photograph of Summer 1963 at Couper street, I know most of the guys in the photograph either socially of from playing football.

Can you let me know where this reunion is?"

Brian Jeffrey: August 6, 2013

Reunion - 2013

I don't know the answers to the questions that Brian asks. However, I've forwarded his message to Alex Jackson. I expect that Alex will send a reply to Brian within the next few days.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: August 7 2013

Recollections

19.

Alex Jackson

Mortonhall, Edinburgh

Thank you to Alex Jackson for telling me about the recent reunion for the Apprentices who joined Ferranti in 1963:

Alex wrote:

Reunion

2013

"Our 50th year re-union came and went on Friday 16th August, a great day. The day comprised:

- MORNING: Selex Visit, including meeting present apprentices.

- AFTERNOON: Concorde Visit, Museum of Flight, East Lothian.

- EVENING: Meal at Carlton Hotel.

Alex Jackson, Mortonhall, Edinburgh: August 22, 013

Reunion Photos

Thank you to Alex Jackson for sending me Photos 2 and 3 below, taken at the 2013 Reunion. Please click on the photos below to enlarge them and to read the names of apprentices in Photos 1 and 2.

Photo

1963 Apprentices - 1965 Photo

This was the original photo that started all the discussions on this page.

Photo

1963 Apprentices - 2013 Photo

with the apprentices placed in the same rows as they were in the 1965 photo

Photo

1963 Apprentices - 2013 Photo

gathered around the showcase, with some recent apprentices and Selex staff

Photo

1963 Apprentices - 2013 Photo

at the Evening Dinner at Carlton Hotel

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: August 22, 2013

Recollections

20.

Paul Wallace

Thrapston, Northamptonshire, England

Thank you to Paul Wallace who wrote:

Philip Wallace

Apprentice in 1950s

"My father (Philip Wallace) did his apprenticeship at Ferranti. Dad was born in 1935, so I am guessing it would have been in the early 1950s.

He left Ferranti to join British Aerospace in Stevenage in the early-1960s. He would really like to get in touch with some other ex-apprentices from Ferranti, in particular a chap called David Bold.

Dad is travelling up to Edinburgh next month and would really like to meet up with as many old acquaintances as he can! Any help in contacting any of them would be really appreciated."

Paul Wallace, Thrapston, Northamptonshire, England: February 20, 2014

Reply to Philip Wallace?

Do you remember Philip Wallace and would you like to contact him, ideally before he visits Edinburgh in March 2014.

If so, please email me, then I'll pass on the email address of his son, Paul, to you.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: February 20, 2014

Update

Davie Bold

Contact details found for Philip Wallace?

Thank you to Eddie McDonald for his email, sent to me on 22 February 2014, giving the contact details of a long time friend of Davie Bold. This friend should be able to let Phillip Wallace know how to contact Davie Bold.

I've forwarded Eddie McDonald's email to Paul Wallace (above) so that he can pass on the details to his father, Phillip Wallace.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh, April 1, 2014

Recollections

21.

Dave Anderson

Dave Anderson wrote:

Class of 1963

"I've lost all communications with all the class of '63. I would like to receive emails from some who were in that class."

Dave Anderson:: April 20, 2015

Reply to Dave?

If you'd like to send a reply to Dave, please email me, then I'll pass on his new email address to you, so that you will be able to contact him.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: April 26, 2015

Recollections

22.

Francis Keenan

England

Thank you to Francis Keenan who wrote:

San Francisco Computer

"I remember an incident, in the early-1970s, that was brought to the attention of the Press by my late friend, the well known Councillor John D. Kidd who was always in the press at the time exposing all the 'terrible goings on at the Council', as he put it.

Apparently, the city required a new computer system to keep track of all the council properties and the only appropriate one in the world was reported to be in San Francisco.

It was agreed that The Lord Provost McKay, The Lady Provost and a team should make a 'fact finding' visit to San Francisco, at the time one of Edinburgh 'twin cities'. The purpose of this visit was to was to see this new computer and, most importantly, find out who made it and where - though the hosts would have, no doubt, been happy to supply this information by letter!

The day of the visit came, and what was on the side in two inch high letters?

'Manufactured by Ferranti, Edinburgh, Scotland'

Edinburgh Lord & Lady Provost

"Those were the days, when the Lord Provost had a Rolls Royce Phantom (registration number 'S 0') and the Lady Provost had then exclusive use of her own Daimler Limousine (registration number S 10) and they would often drive, one behind the other, to engagements as the Lady Provost had to leave ten minuets before her husband!

I would often see them drive into the city from their home in Barnton, when I was out walking my dog, reminding me of a Royal Visit.

It's 'changed days' now, but I have happy memories of a great cast of real characters!

Francis Keenan, England: July 5, 2016

Recollections

23.

Edward Charles

Thank you to Edward Charles who wrote:

1963 Apprentices

"I am sitting on the ground in this photo, far-left, with glasses:

Jim Cairney is sitting next to me, then Ross Kerr.

The only other name that I can pass on is Ian Thomas. He is in the 3rd row, 3 from the left.

I had forgotten about those photos and was wondering if they had survived. I was reminded when I met an old Apprentice at Rosyth Dockyard this month.

Edward Charles: 19 August 2017