RAOC No. 1 GHQ PRINTING PRESS, FAYID 1951-53

As Remembered By Bernard Calvert

 

I was called up to do my National Service on 21st June 1951. I reported to Parsons Barracks, Aldershot which was the Selection Battalion of the RAOC. After two weeks I was selected to train as a clerk and posted to Blackdown Camp. After ten weeks training and two weeks embarkation leave, I was posted to the Canal Zone, sailing on the Empire Medway. I landed on November 5th when the troubles were at their height. After a lot of problems landing and sleeping in the open air for a couple of nights, a call came over the radio asking for volunteers to work at the GHQ Printing Press, Fayid because all the Egyptians who had worked there had cleared off. Being a printer, I went for it and spent the rest of my army days at GHQ Print Press. During my time there I had two delightful breaks – a fortnights stay at the Golden Sands Leave Camp at Famagusta, Cyprus and another at a camp in Port Said. I returned home by air on Coronation Day (2nd June 1953).

"Inkspot" was first produced in September 1952. Giving the 'would-be' amateur journalist the sctope to write on a varied range of articles, short stories,news, sports or any other subject that they believe have been overlooked. Produced by personnel under training at No.1 GHQ Printing Press. Editor was Sgt Noakes

 

PRODUCING YOUR RADIO TIMES

The Forces Broadcasting Service have invited No. 1 GHQ Printing Press, RAOC, MELF 17, to take prominence in this week’s edition of The Radio Times, as they feel listeners would be interested in the processes through which your weekly Radio Times is produced.

All programmes and copy are compiled and edited by J/T Wilkinson and
FBS personnel, this being despatched to the Press 2 weeks prior to
publication date.

Mechanical composition Pte Morton operating a Linotype

PLANNING
A weekly conference between the O.C. Printing Press and his technical
production experts is held on receipt of the copy. The general design and
layout is determined, a rough drafted by Cpl. Rosser and passed to the
Linotype Section for mechanical composition.

Pte Edwards at work on the plates and blocks

TYPESETTING
The linotype machine produces type in lines of the required width, proofs are
taken and passed to the Readers for checking. The next stage consists of
“making up”, this is a term applied to positioning the lines produced on the
linotype in page form. This is done by two hand compositors, Ptes. Blackler
and Coombs. Before any further technical production, Mr. Powley,
Programme Officer, FBS, vets the page proofs. On return to the Press, final
amendments and corrections are made and the pages imposed (Positioned for
printing). Now the Composing Department had completed the typesetting, the
next stage is the actual printing. Here, the Machine Department takes over.

 

Cpl Fisher & Pte Withers trimming finished copies of The Radio Times

PRINTING
Mechanical composition The combined type, blocks and plates are called a “forme”. This forme is placed on the bed of the machine and impressions taken. These are checked Linotype for correct position on the paper, adequate ink and legibility. Sgt Ross has this responsibility, and he passes the final proof after the necessary adjustments are made. Pte. Griffiths, the “machine minder” as he is known in the trade, starts his machine and at a rate of approximately 2000 sheets per hour another issue of your Radio Times is printed.


Pte Griffiths making final adjustments before printing commences

Once the printing is finished, the sheets are then taken into the Binding Dept,
where they are trimmed on a powdered guillotine to finished size, folded and
packed ready for despatch to various units all over the Canal Zone.

There it is then – a very brief description of the work entailed in the production
of one week’s issue of your Radio Times. Through limits of space, mention of
the numerous highly technical operations necessary have had to be omitted,
but every week this grand crowd of “back room boys” work in unison to the plates and blocks produce your Radio Times – on time!

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