BH Wood started at W H Allens of Queens Works, Bedford, according to his own service record, on 22nd April 1936 'as a boy'.

Service Record at W H Allen

His official 5 year apprenticeship began on 1st July 1936 while continuing his studies at Bedford Technical Institute where he gained several certificates.

From the additional note on the apprentice agreement, it seems he made good progress, being awarded the second year apprentices prize in 1938, followed by early promotion from apprentice to Junior Engineering Student.

After the war, he returned to Allens and spent a year finishing his training doing "a quick run round the departments" followed by two months in each of the steam, diesel and electrical test bays and a brief period in the Drawing Office.

The front office block of W H Allen in Ford End Road, Bedford. This photo taken around November 2007. The factory used to stretch all the way along Hurst Grove behind this building. As you can see, it has been replaced by the ubiquitous housing development.

On completion of his training, he took the job of Installation Engineer in the outside erection department. This involved working at various locations around the country, including installing the engines and pumps at Great Billing Water Treatment Works, near Northampton. Through this contract he made contacts and was eventually offered the position of Electrical and Mechanical Foreman.

Here is his CV from that time which includes information on the location of some of his other off-site work. I also understand that he was involved with the maintenance or installation of some machinery on the top of Mount Snowdon.

B H Wood left Allens in 1954 to work at Billing.