Part 2: Looking for work - 1898 and 1899

Tuesday 26th July 1898
Had a spin on bicycle to Crawley on the lookout for a job. First saw Ockenden who can probably give me a day or two’s work at Lynwick at the end of the week. Then saw Ward (Bartley & Ward) who promised to write me later on having a job in hand but not ready yet.
 
Wednesday 27th July 1898
Heard of another job this morning, a London firm working at 13 Causeway. Called there and was told to call again on Saturday. Think I shall be right here.
 
Friday 29th July 1898
Had a post card from Ockenden’s this morning to start at Lynwick so rode down on my bicycle.
 
Saturday 30th July 1898
Worked at Lynwick (Farm Buildings) till 11.30, caught train and got home by 1 p.m. and found word had been left for me to start on the Causeway job, so went back to station and saw Mr Ockenden to “give him the sack”. The job would only last a few days so I think it is the best thing to do although this firm seems a fairly easy going party.
 
Less than a month later, Billy is looking for another job.
 
Wednesday 24 August 1898
Called on Mr Attwater today to see how they stood for work as our job is drawing to a close now. Told to call again, did so this evening and was offered a job in Crawley Road. Wants me to take charge. Accepted it and very reluctantly threw my Causeway job up. Walter was very nice about the matter. Had he made any demur I should probably have stayed on till the end. Didn’t like the idea of turning him up like that after being treated so well.
 
Billy then spent a few months back in Horsham helping his father with the family carting and chimney sweeping business. It wasn’t till the following summer that he was able to look for a job outside Horsham.
 
Tuesday 11th July 1899
Not being very busy just now at home and not very likely to be, after talking the matter over with Dad, decided to go to Town for a job of Painting. So went up this morning, had a few unsuccessful tries but finally got a promise of a start in Grosvenor Street for Monday next.
 
Sunday 16th July 1899
Think I have now pretty well squared the bookings etc, at home, got out all the quarterly accounts last week, also settled several other affairs, Sunday School etc. Left all at home A1 and came away by the 4.10. After a rather tedious journey, arrived at the diggings I engaged last Tuesday at 14 Shrotton Street, Lisson Grove then went back to Hyde Park and heard Band of 2nd Life Guards.

 
The Drive and Rotten Row, Hyde Park, reproduced from Billy Hoad’s copy of the Queen’s London, p. 129.
 

Week ending 22nd July 1899.
Started on Monday at my new job. It’s at Grosvenor Street. The firm is R.S. Buckeridge, 37 High Street, Manchester Square. It’s a big job. The house was till lately the residence of Sir Tatton-Sykes[1]. The foreman (Fred Brampton) doesn’t seem half a bad sort and most of the chaps seem alright. Anyway, I’ve got on alright with them so far.
 
December 1899 (the last entry in the diary series)
After all this time, thought I would resume the diary again as , having got so used to it, I seem to miss it. Have now more convenience for writing than I had at Shroton Street. Left there after about 6 weeks and took a room at Rose and Crown, 17 High Street Knightsbridge. Remained there about the same time then shifted again to present place, 78 Ebury Buildings, Ebury Square S10. On the whole it’s an improvement. Have been very fortunate in remaining in work. Am still at Buckridges. Was soon shifted from my first job at 46 Grosvenor Street to 52 same street, the residence of Bevan Esq. the Banker. Had a good job there after which did a little job at National Bank, Baker Street S4 and from there to Wilton Place for a few weeks under a fresh foreman, Bill Bartholomew. Didn’t think much of him at first, but like him alright now. Am still with him at Mortimer House, Egerton Gardens where we went in September. Have had a very good job there (but nearly all plain white). Drawing to a close now, in fact I never expected ’twould last so long.
 
Early in September I joined the Westminster Technical Institute for the Painting and Decorating Class, also the Applied Art class. The former is held on Monday and Thursday evenings by Mr Castle; the latter Tuesday evenings and Saturday afternoons under Mr W. Fournis, a very clever and genial old gentleman. Enjoy those classes. Wish I had had the opportunity of attending them years ago.

• [1] Sir Tatton Sykes, 1826-1913 is remembered principally for restoring 17 rural churches in Yorkshire.
  This is the last post in this theme, to continue reading please click on the Odd Jobs link below.
  
  
  
• Odd jobs - Carting with Dad, 1896
  

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