I left Broadway School in 1937 at the age of 14. I got a job straight away at Standard’s service/spares division opposite the cinema in Fletchamstead.
In the repairs department I was to collect and file on tallies all the piecework, with the respective details of work done and wage claim in cash. From these the respective repair jobs were costed up. On occasions it required chasing up jobs as customers waited for their bills.
We had two trips to London service departments per year – travelling by company bus (Social Dept). The London crew visited us in return and we played cricket and football matches together – they were free and wonderful days out.
We were given the chance of a tour of London by the Londoners.
Captain Black – as he was then known (later elevated to Sir John Black) was the big boss of the company. He was a stickler for discipline but a very fair man. I graduated to costing and sometimes estimating and invoicing.
Called into the army in 1942, I served until 1947. Returning to the Standard I went back to my old job but some time later to spares – or scheduling parts.
We became Standard Triumph and I well remember travelling by bus to Banner Lane to view the new Herald car.
However, in about 1976 the whole situation had changed. The motor trade was going downhill, production at Canley had stopped and the company requested volunteers for redundancy. I volunteered and departed.
By then I had been with the company for 39 years which included my five years in the army – agreed by the company as counting towards retirement benefits.
Standard also had a fine boxing team and I enjoyed many displays at Canley and Banner Lane. I enjoyed my time at Standard.
Alan Savage, Southam.