Mr William Grout in 1933 was in the employ of the contractors who put up the first buildings and made the first roads on the site of the East Tilbury Factory. When their work was done he joined the Bata organisation as a general labourer until, in 1934, his services were in demand as a pipe fitter in the first row of Bata houses. Here he gained experience in welding, plumbing, steel erecting and other constructional work. Mr Grout's application to his job led him to become foreman of Department 708 (concerned with pipe work) and later he became foreman of Department 714, which has a larger scope, and in which capacity he supervises the whole factory's plumbing, constructional work, and the making of cutting knives.
Now, at the age of 38, Mr Grout holds a most important position at East Tilbury, where he lives with his wife and family in King George VI Avenue. He is an enthusiastic motorist and gardener.