PATRICIA ARMSTRONG - OFFICE MANAGER & TELEPHONIST / SECRETARY

A Foot on the Ladder - An Office Junior Patricia Armstrong describes how she got her first job in the office in 1951. She recalls how she had to fill in work sheets and make the tea for the directors.

Life As a Telephonist Patricia Armstrong describes life as a telephonist at Swan Hunter's. She recalls having to work on a system that looked like an archaic knitting machine.

The Modern Telephone Exchange Patricia Armstrong talks about coping with new office technology and the pains of learning new automated telephone exchange systems.

Characters in the Yards Patricia Armstrong remembers the poets and personalities of the shipyard including Jack David. She recalls the close-knit shipyard community in all its colour and complexity.

Importance of the Yards Mr and Patricia Armstrong talk about the ship launches and royal visits at Swan Hunters. They also talk of their sadness when the yards closed and jobs were lost.