Learning A Trade 1944-1949

<p><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>My apprenticeship as a fitter and turner at the Newport Workshops from 1944 to 1949 were no ordinary years. World War II was in a critical stage and the workshops were manufacturing a huge range of armaments as well as keeping the VR railways running. This book is not only about my apprenticeship but is a history of how Victorians coped with life particularly during the war years of 1944 to 1945.</span></p><p></p><p><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>When the war ended in 1945 a campaign by the unions for a 40-hour workweek began almost immediately. This resulted in many strikes during which the railway system was shut down. As an apprentice I was not on strike but like many other Victorians I could not get to work. Because of this I had to make up for the 38 days lost during my apprenticeship extending it to 1949 when I finally completed my five years and became a tradesman fitter and turner. The 40-hour work week was eventually won in 1947. The war and strikes interrupted my apprenticeship but through them I gained valuable lessons in politics human relations and newspaper reporting.</span></p><p></p><p><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>During my apprenticeship my weekends holidays and annual leaves were very exciting times for me hiking and skiing with the Rover Scouts and Youth Hostels Association which I felt were a very important adjunct to my apprenticeship because I learned a number of extra skills learning to ski and carpentry skills making a pair of skis.</span></p>