2 May 1944: First day on the railway for my dad. Messenger at Plumley. According to MANIS, and MANIS knows everything, dad had ***NIL*** discipline. Like father, like son.

March 1950: Demobbed and back to Plumley.

1952-1955: Record of Free Tickets Issued.

In September 1952, my dad was issued with a return from Plumley to Hull, from where he must have sailed to Rotterdam. We know he bought my mother's engagement ring in Hull and, given they were married later that year, this is almost certainly the trip.

Thereafter the free tickets issued for 'self' become for 'self' and 'wife', the majority being Plumley to Harwich PQ and Hoek van Holland to Middelburg. Never in their wildest dreams could they have imagined not that long after they'd have a son and eventually he would end up living in one of the houses opposite the station in Middelburg.

 

January 1959: I saw this ticket for sale on-line in 2019 and recognised the writing; so I bought it. It is dated 26 January 1959. For hand writing comparison some new technology is shown below. A punched card from TOPS, vintage late 1970s. 47236 is on the ground at Middlewich.

I always thought this photo was taken in the Booking Office at Plumley. It was printed in 1963 by which time dad had moved to Hale. I'll have to visit Hale station and refresh my memory about the layout of the Booking Office there.

The late 1950s, maybe early 1960: Plumley station in the paper. Left to right: Mr Charlie Casson (Station Master), D.S. Cooper, dad, and in the flower bed Alf Hewitt. I think I am right in saying Alf Hewitt had lost some of his fingers when shunting. This of course was fascinating to a little boy.

20 June 1960: Transfer to Hale

The archives aren't all pieces of paper and photographs.

1960s: Knutsford, Down platform.

Late 1970s: In the TOPS at Northwich with computerers. I did my Latin homework on punched cards and got a grade A at O level as a result. Pliny didn't see that one coming.