KATH ALLEN (nee Mogg)

KATH ALLEN (nee Mogg).

Kath was born in Churcham in 1932. At the tender age of 16 she applied for a job advertised in the local paper. It was for clerical work in the Light Machine Shop Inspection Department. She was interviewed by Mr Prior the Personnel Manager and was offered the position.

She had moved from Churcham to Minsterworth, where she caught the bus to Gloucester. From the terminus in Westgate Street she hurried to the factory, passing the prison on the way and hoped to arrive in time so that she did not lose any pay. The factory environment she found a bit frightening but soon settled in. Those working in the department were Bill Galling, Tony Griffiths and Bill Shanks. Two people working in the machine shop she fondly remembers. They  were Tony Franklin and Ray Smith. After a bit of prompting Kath said :-                                                                                                                                                           “Oh yes and there was Fred Allen” She became engaged to Fred and subsequently married him in 1953. She stated:- “I became Mrs Mad Jack Allen”

Eventually she moved downstairs to work in the Drawing Stores. The work entailed collecting drawings from the Drawing Office and distributing them to the various departments around the factory. This she enjoyed because it meant she had contact with a much larger number of the work force. Kath didn’t use the canteen but like many more, enjoyed the wide variety of ‘goodies’ available from the trolley at break times.

Kath left the company in 1955 when Philip, the first of three sons was expected. Two other sons followed, Nigel and Richard. Both Philip and Nigel served apprenticeships at Fieldings. Later on, Kath became involved with the social side, providing teas and organising dinners for the cricket teams and working behind the bar at the clubhouse at Hempsted. She also participated in interdepartment skittles, as did her brother Bill.

Kath’s first photograph shows one of the cricket teams, back row:- Dave Humphries, ? Fred Rossiter, John Mabbett, Neil Dickenson, ?   front row:- Paul Daniells, ? Don Keys, Neil Pocket, Ken Daniell

In the  first of two taken at Cricket dinners are:- ? Elaine Daniell, Ken Daniell, ? ? ? and sitting alone,Kath and Fred Allen. The other shows ? ? ? ? ? George and Mrs Bircher ? ? ?

Next, the supporters. This photograph was taken at Cirencester Park, back row we have:- Kath Allen, Maureen Dickenson and son Andrew, Eileen Booth, Yvonne Little, front row:- Richard Allen, Robert Dickinson, Mark Boon, Garry Little and ?. The Ford Anglia 221 EFH belonged to Neil Dickenson.

The final two show Fred Allen enjoying a pint at F & P club and then Fred, George  Bircher and Tony Franklin having a post match drink at the Longford Inn.

Kath remembers with great affection, her association with the company and all of her many friends who worked there.

If  you knew Kath or any of the persons mentioned and would like to share your memories with everyone,  then please click on the words Add a comment about this page below.

 Click on the hyperlink to listen to her Brother Bill’s memories of the company

Click on the hyperlink to learn about Kath’s son Phil’s experiences at the company

 Click on the hyperlink to listen to her son Nigel’s memories of his apprenticeship at the Company. 

 

 

 

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