Book of the week: More memories of a Didcot Steam Apprentice by Patrick Kelly

Posted

by

Our latest book of the week is a follow up to Kelly’s memoir published in 2008 and digs even deeper into the day-to-day details of an unexperienced 15 year old thrown into the uncompromising world of working men.

The first volume of Pat Kelly’s memoirs of his time with British Railways in the early 1960s, Didcot Steam Apprentice, was published in 2008, and found an enthusiastic audience.

Since then Pat has felt the need to dig deeper into his memories, and reveal much more detail about his day-to-day life at Didcot shed on BR’s Western Region in the dying days of steam, as a young inexperienced 15-year-old thrown into the tough, uncompromising world of working men.

Article continues below…
Advert

His new book, hugely expanded, describes in detail some of the perilous and dirty jobs they did on and beneath the steam locomotives, long before the days of ‘Health and Safety’, and how he perfected his skills at the shed’s forge.

It also covers daily routines, initiation ceremonies, and his assorted workmates, some friendly, and some whose greatest pleasure was trouble-making and back-biting.

In particular he describes his warm, encouraging and almost father-and-son relationship with his mentor, lifting shop fitter Jim Tyler, and with the running and maintenance foreman, Arthur Brinkley.

Article continues below…
Advert

Almost novelistic in its breadth, Pat’s book also tells of his difficult home life, his close friendships and his girlfriends, the latter strongly disapproved of by his domineering mother.

Here then is the enthralling story a boy learning to hold his own in a man’s world, revealed in fascinating detail and told with great honesty.

Featuring not only Didcot shed, but also spells at Swindon, Reading and Old Oak Common, it will appeal to anyone who has ever found themselves in a similar situation, as well as railway historians and enthusiasts.

Article continues below…
Advert

More Memories of a Didcot Steam Apprentice was published in June of 2022 and is available for purchase here.


Advert

Railway Reads

From the history of steam through to 21st century rail transport news, we have titles that cater for all rail enthusiasts. Covering diesels, modelling, steam and modern railways, check out our range of magazines and fantastic subscription offers.

Posted

in

Latest Issue

Newsletter Signup