One of the first I remember was one bright summers day
We were coming from Sunday school with Jean and May
But Bill being ambitious suggested a walk
So we all got together and had a bit talk

Bill said what about Shields it’s not very far
So of we started to this Shangri La
We kept walking and walking at brother Bill’s bidding
“It’s not very far” He must have been kidding

However we managed to reach Simonside
And that’s the last I remember of this Palais Glide
So after this rather long hike
Somehow or other we got hold of a bike

Now this bike had to be shared between John you and I
And the first home from school used to say goodbye
As whoever it was went on this trusty steed
Round and round the block at very high speed

But then this had to stop when John started working
As he needed the bike ‘cos he didn’t like walking
So he used it for transport to get to his job
And left Bill and I to try out a jog

When Bill reached fourteen he was ready for work
And being the lad that he was he did not shirk
So off he went searching with very high hopes
And I went with him to learn the ropes

So one sunny day at Leslies we arrived
And the pair of us got a big surprize
‘Cos a man appeared and asked what we wanted
So Bill stepped forward not the least bit daunted

“It’s a job that I’m after but you’ll have to be slick
Before some other firm snaps me up quick”
So the man spoke to someone over the phone
Then turning to Bill said there is a job going

So Bill got started though only a novice
Doing odd jobs in the dock office
His wage was a handsome 19/1d per week
And thats how he started earning his keep

Now after he’d been working for a little while
He thought of an idea which would earn him a pile
So he made a lathe of mothers sewing machine
To make chisel handles as the demand was keen

But as the contraption had no motive power
He thought of the bike and this was fixed in a hour.
This was done by turning the bike upside down
And between lathe and back wheel a belt was wound

Astride of the bike I was made to stand
And pedal like mad using both of my hands
Thus the lathe was turned at very high speed
Churning out chisel handles perhaps more than we’d need

The payment for me was a half penny per handle
Which I thought to myself was a bit of a scandle
So I stopped the job and asked for a rise
But that almost finished this bright enterprize

‘Cos Bill the old skinflint just wouldn’t bite
And that my friends started a bit of a fight
However eventually it was settled O.K.
As we both got together and made the job pay.

The next job he tackled was the mending of watches
Which he brought home from work in rather big batches
He would give them a shake and a prod with a needle
And turn round and say that is all that was needed

And away back to work the watches would go
And Bill would come home with his face all aglow
Because of the money he earned for his labours
Allowed him to indulge in one or two capers.

However his interest in watches did wain
So he looked around for some further gain
And this time photography took hold of his fancy
But this at first was a little bit chancy

However with practise turned out photos first rate
As eventually he managed some very good portraits
He next turned to swimming and became very keen
And at Life-Saving lessons he swam like a dream

His prowness became so good after a while
He was promoted to instructor a job he did in style
So after many years service to this good cause
The highest honour in life saving on him was bestowed.

Then sadly along came rumours of war
Which got us all worried having suffered before
Then when rumour became fact and war was declared
Bill joined the home guard just in case Jerry dared

But when Hitler got word of Bill joining up
The invasion he planned was quickley called off
Then after a spell with this Dads Army
Bill thought it was just a little bit barmy

However in time his call up papers arrived
And it was the Navy and Army who were deprived
As Bill had decided on the R.A.F.
As this was the service he thought best.

After war service he went back to his job as a packer
But he thought to himself I’m a bit of a cracker
There must be some better work in the offering
So he applied for a job in Reyrolles Office

He passed all the tests right up to the last letter
And his working days then were very much better.
As the rest of his work days were in the sales office
Working alongside one or two boffins

In conclusion I can’t let this opportunity pass
To thank Bill for his help with the jobs that ammassed
‘Cos if at anytime I was ever in trouble
I just called up Bill and he was there at the double
And no matter what job either big or small
It has always been done at the very first call.