c 1959: Presentation in the Composing Room, HMSO War Office Press

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Presentation being made in the Composing Room of the HMSO War Office Press, Whitehall (opposite the Horseguards) about 1959. The comp room was situated in the basement of the War Office, but opposite the wall were plenty of windows as a shaft came right down in the centre of the building. Left to right: Ernie Seabrook, Keith Bristow (mono keyboard), Tom Chambers, Michael Terry Harrington, Ernie Powers (reader), unknown comp, John Hunter, Freddie Fenton, unknown lino op, Henry Hall, Harry Taylor.

A very happy place of work, there was singing nearly all day, and it smelt like a perfume factory as everyone took snuff in those days. The apprentices were often sent for an ounce of ‘Golden Cardinal’ or ‘Jockey Club’ from Smith’s Snuff Shop in the Charing Cross Road.

(Photo from Michael Terry Harrington)