Don Sproul, builder

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Born 52 years ago in New St. Coventry, at the O Rare Ben Johnson pub. Other pubs and clubs in the street. Family, School in Mile Lane, Chelyesmore. Father’s work at Swift, the Swift works, Triumph, Stevengraphs [pictures woven from silk], Morris Motors. Grandparents, childhood – pub life, parental discipline and leisure time. Life as an apprenticed builder, played for Coventry and Nuneaton Rugby Clubs. Call up in 1939 for the army. The post-war building trade, conditions etc. 18 minutes.

Archive Record|Table of contents

The Richardson tapesRIC

Interview recordingsRIC/1

Sir Arnold Hall (b. 23 April 1915), aeronautical engineer, scientist, industrialist, and former chairman of Hawker SiddeleyRIC/1/1

Mr R.W. Hammond, Financial Director of the Rootes Group between 1959-1967, on RootesRIC/1/2

Sir Stanley Harley on Sir Harry Harley, founder of Coventry Gauge & ToolRIC/1/3

Mr. M.F. Hanson and Mr. W. H. Wanley on the Standard Motor CompanyRIC/1/4

Sir George Harriman CBE on British Leyland MotorsRIC/1/5

Mr. B. C. Harrison, CBE, Vice Chairman, Alfred Herbert LtdRIC/1/6

Walter Hassan, Chief Engineer, Jaguar (Technical Director, Coventry Climax)RIC/1/7

Lt. Col. Sir Claude Holbrook on TriumphRIC/1/8

Dr. W.J. Hilton, British Aircraft Corporation (formerly Hawker Siddeley), talks about his workRIC/1/9

Harold Green (1899-1971), farmerRIC/1/10

Roy Garlick of Garlick’s Building ContractorsRIC/1/11

Mr Godfrey (b.1887), talking about HillfieldsRIC/1/12

Reg Glover, retired factory workerRIC/1/13

Major F.M. Green (aged 88), designer of aero enginesRIC/1/14

Dr. J. Frost, Head of President Kennedy Comprehensive School and Mr. F Dyer, schools advisor on technologyRIC/1/15

Horace Evesham (b. 1906), member of Amalgamated Union of Engineering WorkersRIC/1/16

Francis ‘Frank’ Chater (b. 11 October 1911), Divisional Organizer, Amalgamated Union of Engineering Workers, CoventryRIC/1/17

Mr. Bird (b. 1902), Rotherham and Sons, watch manufacturers and engineersRIC/1/18

Sir William Lyons, Chairman Jaguar carsRIC/1/19

Charles Landstone, British dramatist and novelist, on entertainment during wartimeRIC/1/20

Trevor Knox (b. 1914) on tractors and the story of Massey Ferguson from 1930RIC/1/21

James Everett Kessell (b. 1915 in Coventry), artistRIC/1/22

Jack Jones, General Secretary, Transport and General Workers' UnionRIC/1/23

Rev. Robert William Hugh-Jones (b. 1911), Minister of Warwick Road Congregational Church 1949-1961RIC/1/24

David Hicks (aged 73) on watch-makingRIC/1/25

Miss Diana Nelson, solicitor, and member of old Coventry family, the FridlandersRIC/1/26

Mr W.S.D. Lockwood, former Director and General Manager, Armstrong Whitworth AircraftRIC/1/27

Mr J. L. Lloyd, aircraft designer, on the early years of aero-engineeringRIC/1/28

William Henry Lindsey (b. 1911) on Rolls RoyceRIC/1/29

Miss Alice Lynes (b. 1907), former Librarian in charge of the Coventry and Warwickshire collection for Coventry City LibrariesRIC/1/30

George William Riley (b. 1 October 1892) on his life, and being a conscientious objector during the First World WarRIC/1/31

Leonard Pelham Lee and Miss Morris, on the Lee family and Coventry Climax EnginesRIC/1/32

Horace Pryor, retired member of the Amalgamated Union of Engineering WorkersRIC/1/33

Mr G.S. Hill, silk weaverRIC/1/34

Very Reverend Richard Howard (b. 1884), Provost of Coventry Cathedral 1933–1958RIC/1/35

Charles van Eugen, Dutch engineerRIC/1/36

Mrs Freeman and Rev. Jack Putterill on St. Peters, HillfieldsRIC/1/37

Mrs Birch on watchmakingRIC/1/38

Miss Elizabeth Bidmead (b. 1880) on Coventry in generalRIC/1/39

Sir Charles Barratt, Town Clerk, Coventry City Council 1946-1970RIC/1/40

Mrs. Barker and Mrs. Cook of the Municipal Catering Department on emergency feeding during the Second World WarRIC/1/41

Miss E. Corbett on Barclays Bank; and Miss Band on Hatton, solicitorsRIC/1/42

Mr H. G. Adams on watchmakingRIC/1/43

Frank Craven, Leicester builder, on emergency work after the bombing of Coventry on 14 November 1940RIC/1/44

Sir Alan Cobham, aviation pioneerRIC/1/45

Francis George Chater, Divisional Organizer, Amalgamated Union of Engineering WorkersRIC/1/46

Thomas Chapman, Armstrong Whitworth AircraftRIC/1/47

Major Bulman on Ministry of Aircraft, production during wartimeRIC/1/48

Mr Walter Dunn (b. 1880), talks about Foleshill and weaving (Cash’s)RIC/1/49

Cecil H. Dodson, Coventry City Council Housing Officer, responsible for Corporation housing in Coventry 1946-1960RIC/1/50

Sir Alick Dick, Standard Motor Corporation 1933-1961RIC/1/51

Canon Arthur Diamond, Roman Catholic PriestRIC/1/52

S.C.H. ‘Sammy’ Davis, former British racing motorist and journalistRIC/1/53

Jim Archer of Aldershot (b. 1887), motorcycle and motor car distributorRIC/1/54

Sydney H. Ashby, retired machine tool designer (parts 1 & 2)RIC/1/55

Frank Bradford (b. 1921 Sunderland, County Durham), Amalgamated Union of Engineering Workers, Rolls RoyceRIC/1/56

Dennis Brandish with E. Hazlewood on Brandish and Sons and early days in motor car manufacture and distribution in CoventryRIC/1/57

Canon Arthur Diamond and Father Clunan, Roman Catholic clergy in CoventryRIC/1/58

Father Darwin on the Jesuits in CoventryRIC/1/59

Alderman George Hodgkinson, OBE (b. 1893) on his early life(part 1)RIC/1/60

Alderman George Hodgkinson, OBE (b. 1893) on his work and life in Coventry, trade unionism and the labour movement (part 2)RIC/1/61

Thomas Healey, Justice of the Peace (b. 1919, Lanarkshire) on early and working life, trade unionism, the Amalgamated Union of Engineering WorkersRIC/1/62

Mr. Ingram, retired verger, Holy Trinity Church, CoventryRIC/1/63

Mrs. May Ford (b.1893) on work and conditions for women in Coventry from 1906RIC/1/64

John Gibson (b.1908, Fifeshire, Scotland) on his life, trade unionism and the Transport and General Workers' UnionRIC/1/65

Mrs. Jones (aged 90) and Mrs. Taylor (aged 80) talking about their livesRIC/1/66

Frederick Jones (aged 84) on his work at Birmingham Assay Office, which began in 1906RIC/1/67

Frank Lane (aged 73), retired sheet metal workerRIC/1/68

Frederick Lock of Solihull (b. 21 August 1906) on early car industry and coachbuilding (part 1)RIC/1/69

Frederick Lock of Solihull (b. 21 August 1906) on early car industry and coachbuilding (part 2)RIC/1/70

Donald McDougall (b. 23 September 1900), retired member of Amalgamated Union of Engineering Workers (technical and supervisory staff)RIC/1/71

G. J. Chance and A. Dawe on the Massey Ferguson Farm School, StoneleighRIC/1/72

Mrs Edith Mayell (b. 1886), sister of Sidney Stringer [a former mayor of Coventry], and trade unionist (part 1)RIC/1/73

Mrs Edith Mayell (b. 1886), sister of Sidney Stringer [a former mayor of Coventry], and trade unionist (part 2)RIC/1/74

H.G. Miles on the wartime messenger serviceRIC/1/75

Miss S.W. Michell, Headmistress, Stoke Park Girls’ Grammar School 1926–1947RIC/1/76

Rev. E. Lincoln Minshull, Minister, Methodist Central Hall, Coventry 1952–1961RIC/1/77

Charles Needle (aged 77), Lay Preacher, Primitive Methodist on his life and times in BirminghamRIC/1/78

Various retired members of the National Union of Vehicle Builders (part 1)RIC/1/79

Various retired members of the National Union of Vehicle Builders (part 2)RIC/1/80

George Park, Justice of the Peace and City Councillor, later a Coventry Labour MPRIC/1/81

George Perry on 42 years with Armstrong SiddeleyRIC/1/82

George Pottinger (aged 94), member of Amalgamated Union of Engineering Workers FellowshipRIC/1/83

R[obert] J. Scrutton, founder of the Christian Unity Movement, and the Social Credit MovementRIC/1/84

Miss Anne Shaw of the Anne Shaw Organisation (management consultants)RIC/1/85

Don Sproul, builderRIC/1/86

Various members talk about the Women's Voluntary Services/Womens' Royal Voluntary ServicesRIC/1/87

Keith Malcolm Watson (b. 1921), garage owner and car distributor, on his life in the industry (part 1)RIC/1/88

Keith Malcolm Watson (b. 1921), garage owner and car distributor, on his life in the industry (part 2)RIC/1/89

Ernest Alfred Cecil Roberts, Assistant General Secretary of the Amalgamated Union of Engineering WorkersRIC/1/90

Mr. Arthur Hollick Senior, member of well-known local family, son-in-law of Sir Alfred Herbert [industrialist and museum benefactor]RIC/1/91

Amalgamated Union of Engineering Workers Fellowship members George Dunkley (b. 1897), Frank Kemble (born in London) and W. Fentham (b. 1903, Coventry)RIC/1/92

John Raven, retired member of the Amalgamated Union of Engineering WorkersRIC/1/93

Philip Povey (b. 1920 Bedworth), member of the Amalgamated Union of Engineering Workers, Deputy Convener at Standard Triumph, RadfordRIC/1/94

Mr A[lbert] E[dwin] Bowyer-Lowe (b. 27 February 1884), engineer, early motor car designer, and designer of the Phoenix carRIC/1/95

Mr. Harry Clarke (b. 1922, Hillfields, Coventry), Works Convener for Amalgamated Union of Engineering Workers at Hawker SiddeleyRIC/1/96

Mr. Eric C. Gordon-England (aged 83), early aviator and racing driver (part 1)RIC/1/97

Mr. Eric C. Gordon-England (aged 83), early aviator and racing driver (part 2)RIC/1/98

Rev. D. Ivor Rees, West Orchard Congregational ChurchRIC/1/99

Rev. W.H. Oliver (b. 1882) on the Anglican Church, Cooperative Movement, trade unions (part 2)RIC/1/100

Rev. W.H. Oliver (b. 1882) on the Anglican Church, Cooperative Movement, trade unions (part 1)RIC/1/101

Mr A. Patterson on Harry Ferguson, the development of the tractor and the firmRIC/1/102

Mr. G. Smith on Smith and Molesworth Ltd, cycle manufacturers established in 1888RIC/1/103

Mr. J. Probert, retired member of the Coventry Fire ServiceRIC/1/104

Mr Stanley Pearson on Courtaulds, Bablake School, Birmingham UniversityRIC/1/105

Mrs Beatrice Callow reading from her “Hurdy Gurdy Days” (part 1)RIC/1/106

Mrs Beatrice Callow reading from her “Hurdy Gurdy Days” (part 2)RIC/1/107

Mrs Beatrice Callow reading from her “Hurdy Gurdy Days” (part 3)RIC/1/108

Col. E. A. Rose, founder member of the Self-Propelled Traffic Association and The Automobile Club of Great Britain (later the Royal Automobile Club [RAC])RIC/1/109

Mr. John Joseph Parkes, Managing Director of Alvis 1946-1973RIC/1/110

Miss M. Shepherd, retired Personal Secretary to George Heath (d. 1955), and Mr. Ron Ruscoe, Managing Director George Heath Ltd, on George Heath Ltd and personalities in the early motor industry (part 1)RIC/1/111

Miss M. Shepherd, retired Personal Secretary to George Heath (d. 1955), and Mr. Ron Ruscoe, Managing Director George Heath Ltd, on George Heath Ltd and personalities in the early motor industry (part 2)RIC/1/112

Interview at Triumph, British Leyland works at Bordesley Green, Birmingham of ex-workers from Mulliners (Birmingham), coachbuildersRIC/1/113

Mr. William Baldwin on his early working life in petrol distribution by road to garagesRIC/1/114

Mr. Horace Pryor, Works Manager Humber- Hillman, on his working lifeRIC/1/115

Mr. W.H. Stokes, CBE (b.1874), Divisional Organiser, Amalgamated Engineering UnionRIC/1/116

Mr. C.M.B. Simpson, retired Chief Engineer at DaimlerRIC/1/117

Mr Stanley Edge, personal draughtsman to Herbert Austin during the period of the design of the Austin 7RIC/1/118

Interviews with employees of Wolverhampton Motor Services; and Mr. Harold HughesRIC/1/119

Mrs. G. Sellors (b. 1880), on life and conditions in Scarborough and Coventry, and munitions workRIC/1/120

Rt. Hon. Ernest Siddeley, on his father, John Davenport Siddeley, first Lord Kenilworth, car manufacturer; and others in the car industryRIC/1/121

Mrs Esther Warr (b. 1904), on her early and working lifeRIC/1/122

Mr. W.H. Wanley, Chief Inspector at Standard Triumph InternationalRIC/1/123

Mr. A.C. Bertelli on cars (part 1)RIC/1/124A

Mr. A.C. Bertelli on cars (part 2)RIC/1/124B

Mrs Burrows and Mrs J. Emanuel on their life in CoventryRIC/1/125

Mr. G. Duggins, village blacksmith, Tile Hill, Coventry and Mrs. Lucy Woodhall, working in handmade chain manufacture, Cradley Heath, on their livesRIC/1/126

Horace Miles, Trim Supervisor, Standard TriumphRIC/1/127

Mr. Silvester Grimshaw (aged 75), retired car worker talks about his life and work in the cycle and car industriesRIC/1/128

Mr. George Hall on his early days as a car workerRIC/1/129

Mr. Victor Horseman (b. London in 1886), pioneer motorist and garage proprietor (parts 1 and 2)RIC/1/130

Mr. T. Howell talks about his work at Daimler, Alvis, Lea Francis, Singer and Humber in the drawing office.RIC/1/131

Mr. Arthur Jarrard on the early days of motor industryRIC/1/132

Mr. W. Johnson on his work at Standard and MorrisRIC/1/133

Miss Nancy Kletzenbauer (b. 1920 in Coventry), former Secretary at HumberRIC/1/134

Mr. Charles Lander, retired bodymaker on car interiorsRIC/1/135

Mr. Philip Noel-Baker, Labour MP for Coventry 1929-1931, on the Labour Party in CoventryRIC/1/136

Mr. William Oubridge, British Piston Ring Company Ltd (BRICO)RIC/1/137

Mr. E.T. Peirson (b. 1897), Chartered Acountant, on his life and worksRIC/1/138

Mr. M. Player of Sterling Metals, Nuneaton, on his life and familyRIC/1/139

Lt. Col. Ramsay-Fairfax lecture at Lanchester Polytechnic on carsRIC/1/140

Mr. Cliff Randle, fomer employee of Hamshaws motor body builders of LeicesterRIC/1/141

Mr. W. R. Randolph on carsRIC/1/142

Rev. H. Salmon on HillfieldsRIC/1/143

Mr. W. Spencer (b. 1908 in Coventry) on the City Council and life in CoventryRIC/1/144

Mr. William Stanley on his early working life in cycle and car factories, CoventryRIC/1/145

Mr. P. Stephenson on community relationsRIC/1/146

Dr. John N. H. Tait, retired engineer, on 34 years with Daimler and nine years with JaguarRIC/1/147

Mr. C. Taylor of the Amalgamated Engineering Union and Standard motor cars, on his life and worksRIC/1/148

Sir. Miles Thomas [later Lord Thomas of Remenham], Managing Director of the Morris Motor Company 1940–1947RIC/1/149

Mr. William Isaac Thompson (b. 1903), Ex-Alderman, Coventry City Council, on the Labour PartyRIC/1/150

Mr. George Turnbull on British LeylandRIC/1/151

Sister Verity on race relations, the Anglican Church, CoventryRIC/1/152

Mr Wilson, Patent Agent, CoventryRIC/1/153

Rev. Dr. Sidney Watts (b. 1892 in Bishop's Stortford), Warwick Road Congregational Church 1924-1937RIC/1/154

Alderman Harry Weston (b. 1896 in Earlsdon), on his life and the City CouncilRIC/1/155

Mr. C. Wilson and his wife, on the early Labour Party in CoventryRIC/1/156

Mr. A.W.A. Watson, Armstrong Whitworth aircraftRIC/1/157

Lawrence Wyles reading extracts from a biography of his father Alderman Vincent Wyles J.P., Lord Mayor in 1931RIC/1/158

Mr. J.A. Yates (b.1911), Safety Officer, on the Labour Party and CoventryRIC/1/159

Mr Allmark and Mr. C. ChadwickRIC/1/160

Unknown woman born in Spon Street, CoventryRIC/1/161

Files and administrative materialRIC/2