My first employment in the printing industry took place in 1948 in the proof-reading section of Knapp, Drewett and Co Ltd which produced the Saturday and Wednesday editions of the Surrey Comet together with a large amount of commercial printing, including the top-quality Architectural Review. A far cry from the garden shed in Richmond Road where they started!

Working in the Beverley School Press, prior to joining Knapp Drewett, under the tuition of Mr Fred Morris, I gained some experience in helping to produce a school hymn-book and also a science text-book, with many illustrations. Both of these were individually hand-set by students.

Although I worked mainly with proof-reader Mr Bill Glover, as his copy-holder (as it is termed) I was transferred, when required, to the Surrey Comet proof reader, Mr Bill Grimes, who worked in the newspaper production department. I well remember the altercation when in the "Weddings" very badly-written copy was printed as "the reception was decorated with sea-oysters" instead of sea-asters! (Perhaps it was a warm day?)

The junior apprentices toured the large works with enamel jugs of tea (price one ‘old' penny!) but not beer - as the term "to carry the can" originated!

The training I received served me in good stead, enabling me to progress to Lecturer in Printing Subjects at the London College of Printing, and also Richmond upon Thames Tertiary College, when prior to retirement, I was able to found the ‘Northern Lights Private Press' which is currently producing a book of specially-written poems in memory of my brother, Brian Charles White.

Peter J White
Church Road
Shepperton