- I have read the profiles of former pupils and have admired the achievements of all who have become doctors, lawyers, scientists et al. Self-consciously, I have wondered if anyone would be interested in the profile of an under-achiever.
- Leaving school in 1951 having failed all my GCEs, I retired into my shell. I obtained employment with the Cooperative Wholesale Society until National Service in the Royal Air Force in 1953.
- After National Service, I drifted for about ten years until, whilst working in London, I met and married Evelyn (with whom I have enjoyed 47 years marriage). Having married, I decided it was time to find a real job and joined Lloyds Bank. They had a policy that only those who entered directly from school had any chance of progress, even though I had passed the exams of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (not a complete thicky after all).
- I tried to sell insurance but, unable to sell a life raft to a drowning man, I returned to banking, this time with Midland. I found the work interesting and enjoyable. Alas nothing lasts and the banking industry changed about 1990. No longer were skills such as the ability to create legal charges over land, etc. required. We were just required to sell insurance. See my earlier remarks about selling.
- In 1995, at the age of 60, I was offered early retirement, which I gratefully accepted.
- Ten years ago, Evelyn and I moved to Cyprus to spend our time sitting in the sun – someone has to do it.
- I’ve had a lifelong interest in railways both real and model. I have been lucky to be on first-name relations with many of the “stars” of railway modelling, of whom, sadly, too many now have joined the big model railway club in the sky.
- During retirement, I have designed and drawn the artwork for the tools to produce kits to build models in etched brass. So far over one hundred designs. In 2006 I co-authored a book on London and North Western Railway Carriages, contributing elevation and plan drawings for over 120 types of carriage.
- The accompanying photograph, showing me in characteristic pose with beer glass in hand, was taken in South Devon in 2009 during a visit to my brother Robert Tattersall (FGS 1939-1944) who lives in Dartmouth.
- If anyone remembers me, there must be someone. who is tempted to contact me (via Les of course*) for a “larff” and a natter, I shall be delighted to hear from you
* Les speaking:
My email address is fgs @dnet.co.uk but I'm afraid you can't click on it here as it's been doctored to foil the spam peddlers.
Please type it in.
|
