LEO editor

• Interviewee: Margaret Baty                                                   DOB: 

Interviewer:   Peter Byford

Date of Interview: October, 2015

Role Lyons:  

Joined Lyons:  

Abstract: 

Repository: http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/62997/Margaret-Baty-Interview/

Copyright: Leo Computers Society. 

Restrictions: None Known

• Interviewee: Ernest Roberts                                                    DOB: 1931

Interviewer:  Ray Hennessy

Date of Interview: April 2016

Joined LEO: 1954

Abstract: Joined LEO following Mathematics degree at Oxford University and National Service.  Started as programmer under Leo Fantl working on mainly mathematical applications on LEO I.  Spend whole career with LEO and successor companies as a senior application and software programmer retiring aged 60.

Repository:http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/53379/Ernest-Roberts-Interview/

Recording:

Copyright: LEO Computers SocietyRestrictions   None known

• Interviewee: Derek Jolly                                                                          DOB: 1930

Interviewer: Cyril Platman                                                                               Died June 2018

Date of Interview:  11th  April 2016

Joined LEO:  Circa 1953-55

Abstract: After grammar school started training as an accountant, but decided to try something else and was interviewed by David Caminer, and Tony Barnes and offered a job with LEO I as an operator.  Worked on LEO I, LEO II and LEO III.  Became shift leader and then Chief Operator.  Left LEO in 1974 to join Access at Southend.  Retired aged 60.

Repository: http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/53380/Derek-Jolly-Interview/

Copyright: LEO Computers Society

Restrictions  None known

• Interviewee: Peter Bird                                              DOB: 1934

Interviewer: Tony Morgan                                                Died: September 2017

Date of Interview: 6^th September 2016

Joined Lyons: 1964

Abstract:  After a career in the Merchant Navy achieving his Masters certificate ‘discovered’ computing, studied programming and applied for Jobs in computing.  Interviewed by Lyons for an operator job and joined Lyons 1964 as an operator on the LEO III.  Promoted rapidly to Operations Manager, then overall Systems Manager.  After retirement became interested in the history of Lyons and in the LEO story resulting in the publication of his books on LEO and subsequently on Lyons the Food Empire.

Repository:  http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/53381/Peter-Bird-Interview/

Recording:

Copyright:  LEO Computers Society

Restrictions: None known

• Interviewee: Peter Wharton                                                    DOB: 1941

Interviewer: John Daines

Date of Interview: November 2^nd 2016

Joined LEO: 1962

Abstract: Joined as a mathematical working on linear programming transportation applications.  Long career with LEO and its successor companies working at various locations including Hartree House and subsequently Kidsgrove.  His work involved hardware and software design as well as applications and he finished with the title of Chief Engineer.  Appointed visiting Professor at Southampton University.  Regarded his early learning of CLEO as a key step in his understanding of design in his later career.

Repository: http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/53382/Peter-Wharton-Interview-2nd-November-2016-53382/

Copyright:  LEO Computers SocietyRestrictions: None known

• Interviewee: Paul Dixon                                                                                          DOB: September 29^th 1928

Interviewer: Mike Storey

Date of Interview: 4^th April 2016, Transcribed 2^nd February 2017

Joined LEO 1955

Role in LEO: Programmer, Consultant

Abstract: Paul Dixon, a refugee from Czechoslovakia (Prague) in 1947, graduated from Manchester University with an honours degree in Economics and Politics. Intrigued by an advertisement for programmers, applied, was interviewed by Peter Hermon and joined LEO Computers as a programmer. Although only with LEO for two years had a rapid rise ranging over a range of applications. Joined Roger Coleman at LEO II customer Ilford’s.  Emigrated to Canada and later the USA for a career in computing, including very senior, and prominent positions with major companies.

Repository: http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/53383/Paul-Dixon-Interview/

Copyright:  LEO Computers Society

• Interviewee: Michael Mills                                                                                     DOB: 1935

Interviewer: David Phillips

Date of Interview: 7^th February 2017

Joined LEO: 1958

Role in LEO: Maintenance Engineer LEO II

Abstract:  A lively, chatty interview full of personal anecdotes relating to his life and work experiences.  Concentrated on Maths at School and awarded scholarship to Cambridge.  But opted to do National Service in Royal Signals, for two years, rising to rank of Lance Corporal.  Opted for a degree in Physics at University of Birmingham, graduating with II/1. Saw LEO advert for engineers, taken on at Minerva Road and after training school became maintenance engineer on a range of LEO/IIs.  Spent 3 years with LEO, then joined Honeywell as manager of software development.  Subsequent career with Rank Xerox in marketing, as consultant with CACI, then working with James Martin and after a spell in Australia (1997), set up as independent consultant before retirement. 

Transcribed: February 2017

Edited March 2017

Repository:  http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/53384/Michael-Mills-Interview/

Copyright:  LEO Computers Society

Restrictions: None known

Interviewee: Patrick Blakes I

nterviewer: Cyril Platman

Date of Interview: 27^th July 2016

Joined LEO: 1958

Role in LEO: Commissioning and Maintenance Engineer LEO I and LEO III

Abstract: Received background training in Electronics doing his National Service in the Royal Air Force. Decided on career in that field after seeing an advert for trainee engineers from LEO. After  training worked first as commissioning engineer on LEO II/7 than became site maintenance enginner on LEO II and LEO III sites including acting as chief engineer on Ilford’s LEO III.. Retired from ICL in 1969 to join an independent computer maintenance company working on LEO machines.

Repository: http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/53385/Patrick-Blakes-Interview-27th-July-2016-73385/

Copyright: LEO Computers Society

Restrictions: None known