At the age of fourteen Alan Charles Cosssins went with several other English boys to the Bata Factory in Zlin for a three years’ course of training in shoe making. During these three years he gained considerable experience in clicking all leathers and various operations on the assembly conveyors and heel department. He lived in the Internat, a gigantic replica of our own Young Men’s Training Hostel.
In 1935 he returned to England and came to work in the upper manipulation department at East Tilbury. He was soon promoted to foreman of a department and now, at the age of twenty, he is manager of the upper manipulation floor.
Not only has Alan made good in his work, he has also made a name for himself in local sport. For three seasons he has played regularly for the Bata “A” football team; he is a member of the Bata cricket team and table tennis section. To make him an all-rounder he plays for the tennis team and together with Norman Stevens he reached the finals of the Grays and District Men’s doubles championship this year.