ALLINSON, Lawrence (#244)
#244
Lawrence ALLINSON
Civilian
Alan Pollock’s Rough Notes:
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Mr Lawrence ALLINSON: a MACHINE CAULKER, following his FATHER too in this highly demanding specialist work – among 100 apprentices they would normally only get two or at most four, who had the combination of strength and aptitude, stamina and skill to do the Job; self imposed quality control was high, although conditions were spartan by today’s standards – most workers then had high status if they “worked in ‘ Vickers”.
Larry had 51 years with VICKERS ARMSTRONG SHIPBUILDERS at the BARROW on Furness SHIPYARD and represents the massive importance of WARSHIP BUILDING in our national SEA POWER; the father and son worked on many famous WARSHIPS, seeing them grow from skeleton to fitting out, including AIRCRAFT CARRIERS (ILLUSTRIOUS, 1938), CAPITAL SHIPS & LINERS to many SUBMARINES (he particularly remembered their Captains coming to take them on final acceptance and Lt Cdr Alastair MARS, the “U” UPHOLDER (which would become a war loss, 540/730 tons, 31 complement, 197’x 16’x 14.75′, 311 gun, 8 21″ Torpedoes carried, 11/9kts) and the Trident class (1,09011,575 tons, 53 complement, 275′ x 26.5′ x 12’, 4″ gun and 10 21″ torpedoes, 1519 kts) TALLYHO, with its farewell hunting horn resounding merrily along the yard, as it went off to sea trials and war service