My first WAGES
Eastleigh Locomotive Works was the heart of railway engineering in the south of England for a century. What began in 1891 as a repairs workshop for steam engines became the main hub of the locomotive industry in 1910 when the workshops of Southern Railway were transferred to Hampshire from Nine Elms in London.
By 1938, the works was heavily involved in the war effort producing parts to convert Bristol Blenheim Bombers into fighters.
Then by the 1950s, steam was being replaced by diesel and the railway was nationalised under British Rail. Local resident and former employee, Mr L J White, left school in 1959 aged 15 and applied successfully to become an engineering apprentice at the works. He writes: “However I couldn’t begin the apprenticeship until I was 16, so I had to start in the apprentice school.
“But I was still paid a wage and received the welcome sum of £2/10 shillings (£2.50) weekly.” When L J White transferred to the main works, he was overjoyed to find his wages increased every birthday. He adds, “Plus I was paid piece work.” The historic site is still there today serving the rail industry with its mile of inside track and huge overhead cranes that can lift 50-tonne machines. We’ve also had a letter from Innisfree Care Home in Weston-super-Mare which carried out a survey of residents to find out their first jobs.
They did everything from potato picking and delivering newspapers to washing (both clothes and dishes) gardening, and even painting and decorating. One resident worked as a window dresser in a bridal shop while another started as a hairdresser, and a couple served in a cafe and seafront kiosk.
But my favourite so far is my dream job – working in a bakery.
■ How did you earn your first pay packet? Email siobhan.mcnally@mirror.co.uk