[J Jones & Co. Canal Street]

On 10/20/2017 at 1:42 PM, Richard Peach said:

Alan I'd be really interested to hear anything your dad can remember. Depending on how long he worked at J Jones. I've attached a photo of Joseph Jones circa 1950

Richard. Password sorted. I'm typing, he's dictating.

 I left school on Friday in 1941 aged 15 and started work at Jones on Monday for the princely sum of 4d per hour (60 hours for one pound). Walked down Joneses yard with great trepidation. I'd been to see Mr Wood the manager who'd told me to go to the stores, on the way there the first person I met was Jimmy Bust, a little gnome like fellow who to me looked in his eighties,  in the stoving shop. I was shown what was what in the stores,  people brought me chits and I handed them their stuff.This was pretty boring although once the police were called because stuff was going missing. The culprit was found and questioned and when asked where he got it he said "Jack Syson gave it me". Next thing there's a knock at the door at my parents home in Cotmanhay and two men who said they were policemen wanted to question me. I had some end of rolls winding tape, which were not used, as they made good football boot laces. I told the police he had chits so I had to give him the stuff. After an hour or so they left happy I was not involved. 

On another occasion, Mr West, the head storekeeper, told me to go and get a copy of Health and Efficiency magazine. As a naive 15 year old I didn't have a clue.

After a couple of months I was sent out as an apprentice with Dennis? , lived in Bullwell, can't remember his name, he died young, I think of cancer,  to Tathams in the Lace Market. Staffed entirely of young women/girls making brassiers. Had to ask my sisters what size they were and I got them seconds. Remember everything was coupons. The toilet and washrooms were in the bowels of the building. One lunch I went down to wash my hands where I was set upon by a gang of girls trying to debag me. I manfully (boyfully) fought them off. A couple of years later I wouldn't have bothered!

There's loads to tell. If you Want to pop over to Ilkeston get in touch with @alan sand we'll sort something out.

 

 

[J Jones & Co. Canal Street]

 First post (guided my son) who's shown me this site.

 

I started work aged 15 at J Jones & Co on Canal Street in 1941. Long shot I know but I was wondering if there's anyone on here with a connection to that place from that era. At 90 I understand this could be a futile request.

 

Thanks,

Jack.