December 2008 - Halcrow

Soapbox scribe
In order to give the numerous letters and emails we receive a
suitable forum, we’re launching a letters page to coincide with
the first issue of Vox. Write in and share your thoughts – anything
from your take on a Halcrow project to your opinions on the US
presidential election. Whatever you’ve got to say, this is your chance
to get it off your chest. Each edition, the best letter will be printed
and will win a £25 book token for its author.
We’re kicking things off with a
letter from 83-year-old Dave Smith.
The Halcrow pensioner gives us
a fascinating insight into his life
prior to joining the company.
Dear editor
I was born in Chiswick, London, to a modest family, with a younger brother and three
sisters. We lost our mother to cancer when we were all quite young. My father brought us all
up on his own – I realise how difficult it must have been for a man to do this.
Then came the war, up-rooting countless families. When a raid started one night, my dad
sent us all to the air-raid shelter in his sister’s back garden, along with our grandmother.
As it was quiet, I went to visit my friend, promising I would be back later. But the air raid
got worse: his family made me stay until it quietened down, so I stayed the night with
them. They said they would explain it to my dad in the morning.
But as it turned out there was no explaining to do as the shelter received a direct hit, killing
most of my family. When I was allowed to go home my father must have thought I was a
goner, as he had no idea I had left the shelter that night. My dad had my family buried in
five individual coffins – what was left of them. That wasn’t to be the end, as on the day of
the burial there was a raid and we were machine gunned at the grave-side.
As I got older – I suppose I was seeking revenge – I put up my age and joined the Royal Navy
Volunteer Reserve, not telling my dad. I was still just a boy. I gained a bit of experience
during my years of service: Atlantic convoys; Russian convoys; mine-laying at Norway;
D-Day landing, then on to the Pacific when the war finished. I was based in Australia, and
visited Hiroshima after the bomb was dropped – I was in Tokyo Harbour when the war peacetreaty
was signed. When I got home I got married.
What made me come out of the navy after all that was that I could not claim marriage
allowance as I was under 21 – this is after 11 campaign medals! Otherwise I would have
made it my career – I loved every minute of my service. I suppose I can’t grumble: I have had
63 years of marriage, and congratulations from our Queen. We have ten grandchildren
and six great grandchildren, so life ain’t that bad. I only wish England was the same as
before the war – it seems we are losing all our traditions and heritage.
I did enjoy the years I spent working for Halcrow. I met some very clever people – it proves it
by the way the company has progressed over the years.
Yours truly
Dave Smith
Ex Halcrow maintenance department
Hiroshima – two days later
Lily and Dave Smith,
21 May 1946
Roger, over and out
Stuffed with residence visas and adorned with a
customs stamp rainbow, Roger Hoad’s passport
has rarely been out of action for long.
After spending more than half his life at Halcrow,
Europe and Central Asia’s regional managing
director has retired, bringing to a close a
distinguished career spanning three decades. Not
one to sit still, Roger’s career has taken a steady
trajectory – and a distinctly international flavour –
since he joined the company in 1977.
Naming a Calcutta sewer-cleaning pilot among his
toughest projects, Roger contemplates the iconic
schemes that didn’t quite make it off the drawing
board: “Baghdad Metro, the original Jubilee Line,
and Birmingham tunnel network come to mind.”
Rapid transit schemes pepper his CV – passengers
shuttling around Bangkok, Cairo, Manila and
Singapore now come into close contact with
Roger’s work during their daily commute. A raft
of senior positions followed, namely regional
managerial roles in Europe, Asia and the Gulf.
Officially signed off on 2 October, Roger received
words of thanks from Peter Gammie, Halcrow’s
chief executive, at a gathering of colleagues.
Reflecting on his time steering parts of the
Halcrow ship, Roger said: “Over the years I’ve
worked with a great bunch of people, who have
demonstrated huge personal commitment to
ensuring projects were won and then delivered on
time and to budget.”
To remember...
Mrs Violet Stares passed away on 29 May at the
age of 80. Violet was a postroom supervisor at
Burderop Park from 1976 to 1987.
Robin Goodwin died on 23 May, aged 65. Robin was
an associate director of Halcrow Fox and worked
as a project director and transport planner on
major transport modelling projects in the UK and
overseas between 1986 and 1995. He is survived by
his wife, Linda.
Dave with his friend, Fred,
in Hyde Park, Sydney
Lynne Harbin died on 21 April 2008, aged 49. She
worked in the transportation team from 2003 to
2005 in Darlington. She is survived by her adult
children, Christopher, Jonathan and Kathryn.
To send condolences, email pensions@halcrow.com