At the end of June, 1934, a stalwart young ex-sergeant of the Grenadier Guards began work as a gatekeeper at East Tilbury. Now he is one of the best known foremen in the rubber factory - Bill Allott (right), whose son, daughter-in-law and sister also work for British Bata. Allott completed 20 years service with the Company exactly a weed ago.
“I had finished my regular service in the Guards,” said Bill, senior, “and received a letter from a former regimental colleague who was working at East Tilbury, suggesting that I, too, should go there. I started at the gate, and was there for four years. Then I was asked if I would like to be transferred to the factory, and I went to the rubber preparin-room, which was then in the three-storey building, and in charge of the buying department.
“In 1939, I was called up as a reservist, and became a weapons instructor at the Guards

Depot at Caterham.”
On returning to British Bata at the end of 1945, Bill went on the three-bowl callenders, and was charge-hand for the mixers. Two years later he was promoted foreman. He is one of the senior foremen in the rubber factory, and all workers, especially those on the ground floor, which has an outstanding reputation for workers with long service, like and respect him.
In all his 20 years of service, Bill has never once been late for work - a record of which he is pardonably proud. He is one of the oldest residents of Bata Estate, having lived there since 1935, and is one of the few original members of Bata Fire Brigade, and holds a 15 years’ National Fire Service Medal. He naturally believes that no Regiment in the British Army is as smart as the Grenadiers, and he keeps the local flag flying proudly as honorary secretary of the regimental association for Tilbury and district. His father worked for two years in Dept 1202, and he has a sister and a brother-in-law working for the Bata organisation at Benghazi.

Her present job is socking; at first, she was on joining.
Veronica has always been keen on singing, and was a member of several operatic societies near Manchester, appearing in a wide variety of light opera and musical comedy. Three years ago she won a “silver voice” competition at a holiday camp at Skegness, and she won second prize in a radio talent contest at Oldham. She is also a strong swimmer, but does not go into the water very much now, as she want to preserve her strength for her voice.
“I love singing” she said, “ and wish there was an operatic or musical society near here.”
Not having been away from Lancashire long enough to dispense with its accent and idiom, Veronica is a typical product of that county of the red rose - frank and friendly.

When asked what he did when he did not work, Bill, jnr.(left), replied: “nearly everything.” In other words, he is a handy-man, with an urge to be active. fit and burly, he is one of the mainstays of Thurrock Rugby Club, for which he plays as a front-row forward.
His wife, Veronica (below), who works in Dept 342 sewing section, on the top floor of the rubber factory, will be remembered as “Princess So-Shi” in the Bata Sports and Social Club's pantomime “Aladdin,” early in the year, and as the possessor of an attractive soprano voice. She met young Bill while working in a mill at Ashton, married him there, and came south with him, joining British Bata last September.

“People down south are not so friendlyas they are up north,” she remarked, “but I like them, and I love the surroundings and working conditions here. I am very glad I came.”
Veronica is a general favourite in the department, and is a good, steady worker.
Fourth member of the Allott family at East Tilbury is Dora Allott (left), sister of Bill, senior. She is a mender in the hosiery department where she has worked for three years, and is a quiet but competent worker.
“One could wish for a better job,” she said to Bata Record. “I enjoy every minute of it. What do I do at evenings or week-ends? Knit, look at television - there is always plenty to do.”