The Lamp Lighter

[John F Collier]

#49 When I worked for BT the Davy lamp was part of our kit, it was used for detecting gas or foul air in underground jointing chambers, we also knew hem as miners lamps. I believe they were invented about 1830 ish and the miners also used caged canary's as a safety precaution, I was tempted to keep my one and have it professionally cleaned up and polished to use as an ornament, but I never did. cheers JC

[john sutton]

Subject: Fw: A POEM TO WHICH MANY CAN RELATE ( FOR SURE !!!!)





































>>> I remember the bologna of my childhood,
>>> And the bread that we cut with a knife,
>>> When the children helped with the housework,
>>> And the men went to work not the wife.
>>>
>>>
>>> The cheese never needed a fridge,
>>> And the bread was so crusty and hot,
>>> The children were seldom unhappy
>>> And the wife was content with her lot.
>>>
>>>
>>> I remember the milk from the bottle,
>>> With the yummy cream on the top,
>>> Our dinner came hot from the oven,
>>> And not from a freezer or shop.
>>>
>>>
>>> The kids were a lot more contented,
>>> They didn't need money for kicks,
>>> Just a game with their friends in the road,
>>> And sometimes the Saturday flicks.
>>>
>>>
>>> I remember the shop on the corner,
>>> Where cookies for pennies were sold
>>> Do you think I'm a bit too nostalgic?
>>> Or is it....I'm just getting old?
>>>
>>>
>>> Bathing was done in a wash tub,
>>> With plenty of rich foamy suds
>>> But the ironing seemed never ending
>>> As Mama pressed everyone's 'duds'.
>>>
>>>
>>> I remember the slap on my backside,
>>> And the taste of soap if I swore
>>> Anorexia and diets weren't heard of
>>> And we hadn't much choice what we wore.
>>>
>>>
>>> Do you think that bruised our ego?
>>> Or our initiative was destroyed?
>>> We ate what was put on the table
>>> And I think life was better enjoyed.
>>>
>>>
>>> Author, Unknown
>>>
>>>
>>> If you can remember those days you can forward this or not,
>>> whatever your heart desires, no warts will appear if you don't.

[j.sabourn]

#52.... Very true to life John. I am glad as suppose others are that life although much harder in past years was more honest, as we made it so. As we get older we don't have the inhibitions we had as younger men as being silent and listen to our so called betters. It may have taken us a lifetime to speak out, but we made it through life in one piece where many didn't. Our fathers fought wars so that it would make a better world for their offspring. I only hope that the majority of youth today can read such poems and realize the truth in them, and not throw away all the priviliges that their predessors fought and died for. JS

[happy daze john in oz]

One other thing we never had in those days and it is everywhere now driving most nuts. POLITICAL CORRECTNESS. Remember that old song from the 50's sung by a Charlie Drake. Well it has been banned here in Oz in ABC programs as it mat upset the Aboriginals. The song, 'My boomerang won't come back'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Des Taff Jenkins]

HI Cappy.
I was on two coal burners that is engines plus galley, The Basford belongum a Welsh Company and a Baron boat the Baron Elybank.
I paid off the Cairnavon up your way in 1955, she went up on the breakwater the start of the next trip, was you after the coal in the Galley bunkers
Cheers Des


cairn 3.JPG

redc.gif

[cappy]

One of the distant water side winder trawlers (s.t.'Swanland') built 1914 was a coal burner and I shovelled many a ton of the black stuff

i think the original question has been answered ivan ...out of the whole site only 3 or 4 on coalburners yet as a boy i guess most of the hands would have been on them .....time rolls on regards cappy

[Captain Kong]

Hi Cappy.
I did a spell as a Coal Burning Fireman, 4 on 4 off, do your own trimming and dump your own ashes. a belt with buckle at the back.
A tough Job. "Feed `em. Rake and Slice"
Brian.

.
..

Remember a good film , William Bendix, `THE HAIRY APE,` he was a coal burning Firemen.
Lots of Good Scenes down below throwing a pitch on, Just like it was, In a Convoy, 1944
a voyage with Susan Haywood as a passenger and some good runs ashore.
there s that wonderful sound of a big steam up and down job, not diesel Not heard it for years.

Here is the FULL FILM.
Video for Film, THE HAIRY APE, william Bendix.▶ 1:35:20


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEeXS3R2SuI

[cappy]

that was worth watching brian ...those firemen had a hard life ....there was one like him in our street ......i was a mate of his son ......he had a blow back and was burned from head to toe the house stunk of burnt flesh and ointment ......all the time i knew him he shouted never spoke just shouted.....a long lost breed......regards cappy

[John F Collier]

#53 I don't know if this was the norm but I was raised in a "seen but not heard" way and was never allowed an opinion, as kids we were taught to
"keep our place" I was only told to do something once and it was expected to be done "pronto". In my case I think my parents used the experience of their upbringing. Mum went into service as soon as she left school so was expected to carry out instructions and keep her place. Dad came from a big family in hard times, so he was some way down the pecking order with his older brothers, I think these things became second nature to them
and they just carried it through to their kids. I was rarely physically punished a good tongue lashing usually sufficed, it done me no harm. My relationship with my son could not be more different, people have commented that we are more like mates than father and son and thats the way I like it to be. I will always remember my parents with great affection, they raised my sisters and me through a difficult time. cheers JC

[Richard Quartermaine]

Hope you don't mind Des, I have enlarged the wording on the picture you attached.
Cheers, Richard