A story of hard work & long hours
Personal Details
Name: Channan
Date of birth: December 1937
Place of Birth: Sandhwan, Jalandhar, Punjab, India.
Arrival Date in the UK :18th July 1963
Migration Story
What did you or your family do in your original country. e.g. student, professional, farmer, etc. ?
I was born in small village in Punjab and I attended the DB High School Pharal Jullundhar from 1944 -1954.
Later I had an Office administration job in Delhi at the Ministry of Finance Clerical Expenditure. I lived in B-74 Kidwai Nagar, New Delhi with my family.
Why did you or your family come to the UK ?
I wanted to go to England for work, my cousin was already there and advised me to apply for a Work voucher. Immigration had changed and you now needed a voucher to go to England. So I applied for a work voucher.
Describe your journey to the UK and method of travel e.g. boat plane etc. ?
I came by plane from Delhi to London Airport BOAC, it was a simple flight and was good.
The day you arrived. Describe the first day, arriving, the experience, first thoughts?
My cousin collected me from the airport and me to Gledwood Avenue in Hayes. There was a house owned by family, where other family and friends were staying.
My first thoughts were it was very cold, but you didn’t have time to think about that you had to find a job quite soon.
Where did you go on the first day, e.g. family, friend, hotel, etc.?
I stayed at the shared house with my cousins.
First few weeks – what did you do?
You had to find a job as quickly as possible, after about 2-3 weeks I found a job as a fitters mate with Harry Hargreaves and Sons of Bury Land Sheet Lancashire. They were a specialist in Ducting, Ventilation and Air Conditioning. I helped fit the ventilation system into the new Heinz factory that was being built in Hayes Middlesex. It was hard work and long hours, but the pay was good and it was better than working in factory ro the conrete factory.
First few weeks – what did you miss the most?
I missed family the most, but work was very hard in England and you were always working, cooking or busy, so you didn’t get much time to think about things.
First job or settling what did you do where did you live?
I worked with Harry Hargreaves and Sons from 29/10/1963 – 19/2/1965 I used to get about £13- £14 a week. My cousin worked in the concrete factory which was also a hard job.
This job finished and I then started at Westland Helicopters from 23/2/1965 to 15/3/1965, I had several jobs after this.
First year what do you remember?
It was a very hard life and it was very cold, I missed my family.
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Life in the UK – Free section describe or add any comments you want here?
There used to be a food shop in Southall, they would drop off groceries dhals and other Indian foods, so we didn't really miss out. We had to make food, chapattis and dhals ourselves. Everyone helped and there was always food for everyone.
Later in 1966 my son arrived from India and stayed with me and cousins
I eventually saved enough to for a deposit on a house and purchased this in approximately 1968, my wife and rest of my family then came over.
Later I had a job at Nestle in Hayes, it was hard work and I often worked nights and overtime to save more money. I also sent money home to my family in India as well as supporting my family here.