Comptometrist Memories

By Dorothy Thompson

I think I started in Eldon Square in a little office, with just one man. I used to his books and things.

And then I think I worked at T&G Allans. What did I do there? Well, there again, it must have been in the office. I probably worked in the shop at Christmas I think. But I think I was mainly in the office.

That was a long time ago.

And after that, where did you go?

Vickers Armstrong, it must have been.

Yes. Well, now I don’t know whether it was Armstrong Whitworth’s when I went there, and then Vickers Armstrong took over. I might not be right, but I think it was Armstrong Whitworth I went to at first. I worked in the office. And that was on Scotswood Road.

Well, I must have gone to the Comp school at some point before then because I was a comp operator at Vickers Armstrongs.

Felt and Tarrant was the name of the place, and I think that was in Eldon Square. I was certainly in the town somewhere I went. It might have been off Northumberland Street. I can’t remember.

Can you tell me what that meant?

A comptomter. You know. It’s an adding machine, you sort of multiple and divided on it, you know.

Working out prices of jobs and then the wages of the men working there.

Oh! it was great working there, yes.

Father worked at the factory there and it’s a big place and there was plenty to do.

We used go and take our lunch and sit out by the river in the summer, you know.

And there were lots, it was a big office. A lot of people.

And were there other family connections to Vickers? You’ve mentioned your father, was there anyone else who worked there that you knew from your family?

Well, I had an uncle who worked at Elswick, my father worked at Scotswood in the factory.

My husband used to work there in the office.

I always use to remember one of the men. I’m not sure he was a boss, someone, we christened him “Ghandi”.

I don’t know why they christened him Ghandi? He must have looked a bit like Ghandi I think!

It was very nice. There was plenty of company.