Your first job in Coventry

Could easily be, Mick.

Helen The Black Horse Road where I worked was Exhall, and at the Little Heath works for about two weeks.

Dodds was next to the Wheatsheaf Pub, it was further than the Wolfe from the town. The cycle shop opposite the Wolfe would have been Swifts.

Gas Centre, Hi, yes of course, just got them mixed up. Thank you.

Do-It-All was owned by W H Smith.

My first job was an apprenticeship with Wickman Ltd on Banner Lane. Due to start work on 5th September 1966 and told to report to the gatehouse with a 6 inch steel rule. As I left Woodlands as soon as I had finished my exams, and my apprenticeship in the bag, I had a few weeks to kill so I got a job at Victor Value in Queens Road shelf stacking. So, my first job actually became my second job.

Not wishing to appear a 'copycat' but...... My first job was an apprenticeship with Wickman Ltd on Banner Lane. Due to start work on 6th September 1965 and told to report to the gatehouse with a 6 inch steel rule. As I left Woodlands as soon as I had finished my exams, and had my apprenticeship in the bag, I had a few weeks to kill so I made the most of my last few weeks of teenage freedom by being totally idle. So my first job actually was my first job. Actually, looking at the dates, it is clear to me that if anybody is the copycat around here, it's Mick Strong.

Hi Tony C, welcome to the forum Was the 6 inch steel rule essential?

Hi Helen F, thank you for the welcome. Well, little did I expect that a random and seemingly unrelated Google search would have me happen upon this fine forum, where I've found myself reading, relating to and reminiscing about, various different aspects of my earlier years in Coventry! I think it's fair to say that I have rarely been able to look back on life and recall events and people with the degree of clarity I might like. So, my thanks go to members who have posted levels of detail that can only serve to enhance my otherwise, likely, fuzzy recollections. I hope I may be able to contribute to a thread or two along the way. Yes. The 6" steel rule was considered to be essential starter kit for an apprentice engineer and was required to be handily located in the breast pocket of your overalls. Amongst other things that ensured you had instant easy access to something to stir your tea with at break time. Sadly, what arguably should have proved to be a one-off, lifetime, purchase that would be cherished and passed on down the family, became no more than a useless strip of scrap metal following metrication in the seventies.

Welcome, Tony, you are going to LOVE this forum.

My first real job while still at school was working weekends and holidays at a swill-fed pig farm in Hawkes Mill Lane, late 60's onwards. Anyone?

Hi Tony, I purchased mine from Phillips in Primrose Hill Street.

Hi Mick, Mine would also have been purchased from H E Phillips in Primrose Hill Street. They supplied the company in Earlsdon that my Dad worked for. (Nudge, nudge, wink, wink) Truth is it was legit and above board for him to let me have it. Little did I know that some five years later, and totally against my expectations, I would leave Wickmans to work for that company for the rest of my working life.

Hi Tony C, That steel rule considered to be essential but in my husbands case was 12", he carried through all his working life from his Dunlop apprentice years, Keelavite Hydraulics and then over here to Australia (Lucas Hydraulics) also travelled with him over most parts of Australia. It now sits in our sideboard drawer and helps me to draw straight lines for addresses on envelopes and other such uses. His name has been etched on the back. Although he is looking down on the world now I bet he could tell you the exact width of the Pearly Gates. Incidentally, I still have his toolbox with many precision tools neatly inside. His 12" rule was made in Japan ! At the time of coming to Australia (1974) engineers were allowed to bring their 'tools of trade' free travel on board the plane and he had two with his steel rule amongst them. I use that rule many times a week so thank you Tony for the jolt of memory. He's another Tony too !

I never needed a steel ruler at work but a small collection of screwdrivers was essential.