NAPIER FILMS

Napier Films

Whilst clearing out the attic, I came across some old 8mm film which might be of interest. Of poor quality and very short, one shows a Dark Class FPB being put in the water at Saunders Roe at Beaumaris on Anglesey where I was one of two Service engineers on site in January 1956. At the end of the film is a very short shot of the Prototype Deltic being driven out of the shed at Willesden (I think), with a shot of Frank Yellen and Harry Crowther. The other film is of a trip on the Darks to St Peter Port on Guernsey in April 1956. This was with the Navy from HQ Coastal Forces at HMS Hornet, where I was one of the 2 Napier Service Engineers posted down there. If they are of interest to anyone they could be transferred to CD as they are not brittle even after all this time.

My e-mail address is below. I was a Napier Apprentice (Trade to Student), 1950 to 1955. I trained with Frank Bonney and Len Seymour in the school at Park Royal and I have been trying to remember the names of some of my apprentice colleagues from that time. Len Rust, John Hardy, Jack Haigh, Pat Patterson ( who had a Riley 9 sports car, I remember), Johnny ?, are some of the names which spring to mind. Are any of them still around? On finishing my apprenticeship, I joined the Napier Sales and Service Department under Mr Southam, the Sales Manager and Mr Clifton Clarke, the Service Manager and the amazing Rear Admiral Cowland.. I initially worked on the Dark Class FPBs then the Protoype Deltic Loco on Dynamometer trials and the night sleeper from Euston to Carlisle and return. I then moved to Turbochargers and stayed with them until I was caught for National Service and went in to the RAF for a 3 years Short Service Commission as an Education Officer.

I stayed in Service education and never went back to Napiers.I only came across this website by accident and it raised many memories and I would be pleased to hear from any of my old colleagues before it is too late. Maybe it is already!