clerical work, small station, personnel, management; childhood memories; school days; father, a lorry driver; mother also worked; left school early, aged 17.5 years to support his family; first job as a junior clerk at Ramsbottom; experiences at a small station; requirement for shorthand skills; "persuaded" to transfer to Manchester DOS (Personnel); 1953 National Service with RAF; returned to former office on demobilisation; joined trade union, but not active; Manchester Civil Engineers, personnel work; CCE London; married in 1957; reorganisation, transferred to Preston; joint personnel services; management training courses; Divisional Personnel Officer, Manchester; 1990 voluntary retirement; local business trust, working to place disadvantaged people; reminiscing over railway career; business plan, East Lancashire Railway; d.o.b. 1934-06-11, railway work 1950-1990. 3.1496 x 2.8346 x .315 in.