BACK
 Those like me who were doing, with small variations, the same work as they were doing in peacetime would return to the old job, if they existed. Some had ideas of starting up on their own. A chap on the Office staff tried to get me to go on into partnership with him in a Polishing and Plating business. It might have been good, but there was something about him that I didn't cotton on to. I didn't know enough about him. Mr Parr, Works Clerk, would be going back to his profession - a Concert Pianist. Those men still of military age were liable to call-up, and many were.

The Works Clerk's Office in Tunnel 3. Sadly this was demolished in 2008

 The bookmakers - Racing Touts, Billiard Hall Markers, Butchers, Gardeners, Professional Footballers, Carpet workers - we had them all. Where else could we get the Labour to build up war producton, than from un-essential industry, service industries and the spivs. At Drakelow they comprised 90% of the work force. In the beginning at No.l Acocks Green it was nearer 20%.

 When would the axe fall was uppermost in everyones thoughts. We waited, some in fear, others who hated being here at all, and couldn't get away quick enough, in anticipation. Locals who had never been so well off would be hard put to get such a good job on their doorstep. Life in the area wouId never be the same for them or for the folk who lived within a few miles radius from the Tunnels. They had experienced a decade of intense activity. The construction of 7 miles* of tunnels, to fully planned war production in 9 years. Astounding is the only word l can think of.

 About the end of September, an announcement on the wireless, there were so many that at times one didn't give them the attention they deserved. It was so in this instance. the gist of it was - Men who were in a Key Job in peace-time industry could be released from the present job, to help re-build industry on a peace-time basis. I had, during the war years, visited Middletons where I worked between the war's, about twice. He had been bombed out of Mott Street and had gone into partnership with another processor, Millington in nearby Hampton Street. Out of the blue I got a letter from him saying he had applied for my release, and offered me the job as Foreman in a new factory under construction. If l was interested would I call and see him. I did so on the following Saturday. We talked it over. I met the Partners who seemed happy about me, and agreed to put in an application to Rover for my release. This apparently was the proceedure l went to the works manager on the Monday. He was shocked. "Why, what's up". "Nothing here", I said, and showed him the letter which explained everything. "I'll put it before the Management."

 In four days it was cleared, being notified on the Thursday that I could finish on the Friday. Just like that. I think I must have been one of the first seconded back to peace-time industry. That Thursday was a real busy day. In theory all fitments etc. that l had signed for during my three years at Drakelow should be checked to see if they were in-situ. An impossibility. The only way was for another Foreman to take them over.

 Heaven knows how it would be all sorted out when it came to the last few there. Not my problem. The number of folk that came to my department to talk to me was staggering. "Going back to your old job - Congratulations". I got the feeling many wished it was happening to them. All my chaps wanted my address, some expressed the hope that l would have a job for them. I had been amongst the first 18 to go to Drakelow - l would be the first to leave. The great shock came on the Friday morning. There was a Notice on the Board. Works to close down. Al1 personnel would be redundant.

 Another stream of callers to my department. The first words were either "How did you know?" or "Did you know anything?" Just think I was the only one not to be made redundant. The Personnel Officer told me after I had finished with his clearance "You would have been the last to go." I have always thought that if I had stayed on I could have been transferred back to Rover No.1. You know - my heart was never in War work. Like millions of others, I did it because it had to be done, and as did most of us, to the best of my ability. Physically, mentally I was almost drained. Maybe a change would be a tonic.

 Three years of intensive living- to the week. To me it was the equal of three years in a University. I had learned to live with people, I was no longer the loner of earlier years. The break was clean and complete.

Albert Fowler 1904 - 1986

At this point Albert's recollections of his time at Drakelow come to an end. His diaries do continue, covering other aspects of his life and family. I would like to express our sincere thanks to Albert's family for sharing his diaries with us and for permitting us to reproduce them here. I hope that Albert would have been pleased with the result and the fact that his memories are now available to the world.

*The total length of tunnels is actually closer to 3 1/2 miles