Before That Generation Passes

"Before that Generation Passes" is the autobiography of Bobby Cameron. The early part of his story features the social history of the author's home town of Antrim and an apprenticeship during the 1950s and 60s in the aircraft factory of Short Bros & Harland Ltd, Belfast. Later, as an engineer officer at sea, Bobby Cameron describes life in the engine rooms of the period - that of one in a turbine steamer on the North Atlantic, and belonging to the Head Line of Belfast; those in triple-expansion steamers, Ellerman Papyanni Lines, Liverpool, and glimpses into the engine rooms of motor ships. With the Ministry of Defence came work on missiles and torpedoes, and there is in-depth description of the working of the amazing Mark 8 torpedo semi-diesel engine. During Cameron's time with Shorts, he worked on a number of aircraft that were on the frontiers of the technology of that time: the Comet II, the Britannia, the SC1 Vertical Take-off and Land aircraft, and the remarkable SA4 Sperrin bomber, a one-time contender as Britain's atom bomber. There are detailed technical explanations relating to the disasters which befell the Comet I and the early Britannias. Coverage is also given to the development of the Hawker P1127, which later became the "Kestrel" and, later still, the famous "Harrier". Central to the foregoing is the story of how Cameron made a recovery from a major setback early in his apprenticeship, as a consequence of a serious road accident. This provides an insight into life in hospitals of that era - in particular, Musgrave Park Hospital, Belfast. "Before that Generation Passes" is the recollection of Cameron's passage in life, of the diversity of his experiences, the philosophies and values of the people he encountered, and also including his 25-year career as a lecturer in further education and his continuing commitment to education.

Table of Contents:
I commence my apprenticeship; escape from the de-burring bench; life as I knew it comes to a stop; the struggle back begins in earnest; getting to grips with reality; a world of steamships and men; towards a new career; the world of a teacher; there is a life after school; in retrospect; people of interest (but for different reasons); the great betrayal of the further education lecturer, the traditional place of the technical college; some recollections and philosophies for living.