Family History

I wonder if anyone can offer any information on a series of articles from either ME or MEW from (I think) the late 70s to mid 80s.

The series was based on the memories of apprentices in engineering and their antics at work but also in some cases, gave names of senior engineers/instructors.

My memory tells me that in one article my father was named, however my memory is not always to be relied on and I may be wrong !

If my memory is correct I think the article was written/contributed to by an apprentice at Woolwich/Greenwich arsenal.

I know very little of my fathers history ( he died aged 82 when I was 14) mother died when I was 6, but I do have him to thank for my practical skills and interest in all things mechanical.

His name was Nathaniel (Nathan) Sharpe and at my birth was based in Hartlepool (West as it was then) and ran his own small company.

If anyone can help I'd be grateful.

Nathan.

Nathan, the copies you probably want are 1987 no., 3803 and 3810 Tricks of the Trade, by John Day

Ian S C

Edited By Ian S C on 01/03/2015 02:32:14

He did a whole bunch of stuff in the old days

put Nathan Sharpe in here

Ady1 / Ian S C

Many thanks to both of you. I had no idea about any of these even though as a boy I saw bound volumes of ME in his study at home.

Now to find out where to get copies or do the digital archives go back that far ?

Nathan

No but if you were to start again I'm fairly sure you'd get a good few takers.

I have Model Engineer and Electrician bound volumes which date back to 1905 however I find a lot of it deja vu in terms of steam practice. A bit muddled on internal combustion and very primitive if not primeval on electrical projects. I'll bet two bob it was very exciting though.

The editorial speak sounds distinctly middle class which I guess is about right considering the cost of a lathe back then compared with disposable income.

Edited By Jesse Hancock 1 on 01/03/2015 13:07:18

You asked this question in September 2012, Nathan.

You need Model Engineer Volume 159 (2 October 1987), Issue 3810, Page 379, "Tricks of the Trade" by John Day. Your father's name appears in the second line under the sub-heading "About Milling Machines" on page 380.

A profile of him, with a picture, appears under the heading "Who's Who in Model Engineering", No.29, in ME Volume 77 (22 July 1937), Issue 1889, Page 74.

He contributed some sixty nine articles and letters to the ME between 1905 and 1938, including the thirty four installment "Metal-Craft in the School Workshop" series.

Chris.

Just shows how bad my memory has become in recent years ! Thanks for the info.

Nathan.