LEO editor

• Interviewee: Ian White                                                                             DOB: 19^th November 1930

Interviewer: Mike Hally

Date of Interview: 6^th December 2016

Transcribed: 27^th December 2016

Editor: Bob Marsh received copy for editing 5^th January 2017

Joined LEO: Summer 1955

Role in LEO: Design Engineer on LEO II

Abstract: Studies Natural Sciences at St Andrews, specially interested in Electronics.  Commissioned in REME and posted to teach at Shrivenham,  On discharge interviewed by Pinkerton and joined LEO engineering team in Olaf Street.  Left LEO for a career in electronic control devices, but retained an interest in LEO.  Joined LEO Computers Society and started collecting LEO memorabilia

Repository: http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/53386/Ian-White-Interview-6-December-2016-53386/

Copyright: LEO Computers Society

Restrictions: None known

• Interviewee: Tony Earnshaw                                                   DOB: 8^th November 1935

Interviewer: David Phillips

Joined LEO: Not clear.  Worked on LEO III/6 Shell-Mex and BP in 1965 as part of site engineering team

Role in LEO: Maintenance Engineer

Date of Interview: 16^th February 2017

Transcribed: 19^th February 2017

Editor: David Phillips is undertaking a first edit of the transcript of a very confusing and chronologically muddled interview.  Tony Earnshaw will be asked to re-edit the revised script.

Abstract: Worked as untrained TV repair man in 1950s, Spotted by passing LEO engineer, invited to apply to LEO.  Started work as assistant to site engineers on the Shell-Mex and BP LEO III in Hemel Hampstead.  Prides himself on his successful career as an engineer without having acquired any qualifications. Rose to be chief site engineer at Minerva Road responsible for seven sites.  Left ICL to become independent engineer,

Transcript: 

Link: http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/53387/Tony-Earnshaw-Interview/

Copyright: LEO Computers Society

Restrictions: None known

• Interviewee: Peter Hermon                                                                    DOB: November 1928

Interviewer: Neville Lyons

Joined LEO: September 1955

Role in LEO: Programmer, Consultant

Date of Interview:  15^th June 2017                                                

Transcribed: 28^th June 2017

Editor: Bob Marsh. Edited version to Dropbox 7^th July 2017

Abstract:  Peter Hermon joined LEO after he obtained first class honours from St. John’s Oxford, and seeing an advertisement for a mathematician from J. Lyons. He was one of the most brilliant LEO recruits and quickly made his mark as a programmer and consultant.  He was involved in a number of LEO sales, working first with Wills Tobacco and later with Dunlop Rubber.  He joined Dunlop to first run their LEO installation, but subsequently rose to head Dunlop Management Services world-wide.  He moved to BOAC where he was responsible for the development of BOADICEA the airline reservation system which became a major UK success story and later became a Director of British Airways.  After retirement in 1989 he became an active member of the LEO Foundation, acting as its treasurer.   Peter’s other interests were walking in North Wales and he has published a number of guides for walking in Wales.

Repository:http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/53388/Peter-Hermon-Interview-15th-June-2017-53388/

Copyright:  LEO Computers Society

Restrictions: None known

Interviewee: Peter Byford                                                               DOB: 1944

Editor: Frank Land, May 2018

Abstract: Peter had a long career in computing starting when he left Grammar School aged just 17 and following an advertisement applied to LEO Computers Limited.  Passing the aptitude test as the sole non-graduate applicant at that time, he was trained as a programmer to work on the LEOIII/1 Hartree Service Bureau.  He worked on a number of applications, rising in seniority, but left LEO in 1965 to join the AA as a programmer and data analyst.  His subsequent career, primarily in Data Management included a 27 year stint at Eastern Gas, followed by the software contractor and consultant John Hoskins, and later as an independent contractor/consultant.  Despite his relatively short stint at LEO at the beginning of his career, it is to his LEO roots he returned on retirement.  After attending an early LEO reunion he took over the chair of the LEO Computers Society, and oversaw its growth to over 800 members (May 2018), and continues to fill that role with undiminished enthusiasm.

Repository:http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/53389/Peter-Byford-Interview-22nd-August-2017-53389/

Copyright:  LEO Computers Society

Restrictions: None known

Interviewee: Geoff Pye                                                                     DOB: 1932

Interviewer: Paul Bygrave

Date of Interview: 3^rd August, 2017

Editor: Frank Land

Joined LEO: 1956

Abstract  Geoff Pye was brought up in near Ilford, East London, took a degree in Geography at Kings College, University of London, and after 2 years National Service, looked  to start a career as a Management Trainee.  Applying to Lyons amongst other companies he was diverted to the fledgling LEO organisation,  Interviewed by Ted Rowley and David Caminer he was impressed took the aptitude test and was offered a job as a programming trainee under the tutelage of Leo Fantl.  After a period rising in the programming/system ranks, including secondment to the MPNI LEO II/6 in Newcastle changed tack to running computer operations taking charge of first of the London LEO service bureaux and subsequently the EELM and ICL bureau operations.  Following a brief interlude working for consultants John Hoskyns returned to ICL as a^[1] senior manager for BARIC the joint service bureau company set up by ICL and Barclays Bank. As batch services were sold off to be replaced by INS – the ICL network services company Geoff took up the reigns.  More senior jobs in operations followed before retirement age 60.

Repository:http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/56449/Geoff-Pye-Interview-3-August-2017-56449/

Copyright: LEO Computers Society

Restrictions: None known

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Interviewee: Mike Gifford                                                                 DOB: 1936

Interviewer: Dag Spicer

Date of Interview: 30^th September 2017

Editors: Bob Marsh (P1) and Frank Land (p2) Nov 2017

Joined LEO: 1959 or 1960

Role in LEO: Started as temporary assistant at Minerva Road, then trained as consultant at Hartree House and rose rapidly working as consultant in a variety of locations including the Midlands, North West London ICL region. Finishing work with ICL as Chief Executive of ICL Australia for two and a half years, before leaving computer industry.

Left LEO/ICL: 1975

Abstract: After Grammar School education opted for National Service in Royal Navy before taking his place at University.  Seconded to work in Aircraft Carriers and specialised in meteorology.  Following two years National Service went to London School of Economics for a B.Sc. in Economics.  Greatly influenced by Karl Popper’s ideas on Scientific Methods.  His father suggested looking for a job up in a rising industry – either computing or microbiology.  Selected computing and following an advertisement started a temporary job with LEO at Minerva Road. See above for role in LEO which included working as the LEO consultant with customers such as Cerebos Salt. Tote Investors, Eveready Batteries and Heinz and abroad the Czech steelworks. Identified early as potential high flyer by David Caminer. Following the merger with ICL he took charge of one of the major marketing regions. Following a number of senior appointments was Appointed Managing Director ICL Australia (1974).  After a successful two and a half years left the Computer Industry on appointment as Managing Director of the newly merged Cadbury Schweppes Australia Company.  More senior management positions followed back in the UK culminating in being appointed Chief Executive of the Rank Organisation, an enterprise he transformed from an ailing enterprise to be highly successful.

Repository:http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/53392/Mike-Gifford-Interview-30th-September-2017-53392/

Copyright: LEO Computers Society

Restrictions:  None Known

Interviewee: Mike Thompson, 

Interviewer: Elisabetta Mori
Date of interview: 6 December 2017
Length of recording: 1h3m56s
Format: original .m4a recording 141.85MB (transferred to .mov video for presentation on YouTube 233.94MB)
Copyright in recording content: Mike Thompson and LEO Computers Society

Transcript editor: unknown

Abstract: Joined LEO Computers in 1962 as an operator on LEO III/1 and later trained other operators, staying through the various mergers until moving to work for Diebold Corporation. After spending 3 years in Zambia, returned to working on LEO III/4 for London Boroughs as a manager in Systems and Programming.

Date : 6th December 2017

Repository: http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/70217/Mike-Thompson-Interview-6th-December-2017-70217/

Interviewee: Jean Elliott (Cox)                                                                                                             DOB:

Interviewer: Elisabetta Mori

Joined LEO: Probably 1948/49 having been a Lyons clerk

Role in LEO: Clerical assistant to John Pinkerton

Abstract: One of the earliest to join the LEO team as a clerical assistant involved in a variety of tasks such as filing and note taking for the design team comprising John Pinkerton, Ray Shaw Ernest Kaye and Ernest Lenaerts. Even permitted to do some soldering.  Always remembers with great fondness working with LEO

Repository:http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/53391/Jean-Cox-(Jean-Elliott)-Interview-17-July-2017-53391/

Copyright: LEO Computers Society

Restrictions:  None known

Interviewee: Alan Hooker                                                   DOB: 23rd May 1934

Interviewer: Paul Bygrave

Date of Interview: 21st November 2018

Editors: David Phillips (P1) and Mike Jackson (P2)

Joined LEO: May/June 1958

Role in LEO: Programmer on LEO I, LEO II and LEO III rising to Programming Manager.

Left LEO: 1965

Abstract:  After failing to take a Physics degree at Bristol University followed by National Service in Royal Engineers as commissioned officer, a chance meeting with a fellow Bristol student Brian Mills who had been recruited by Lyons for LEO, took the LEO aptitude test and after interview by David Caminer joined LEO as a maintenance programmer on LEO I. Worked in Betty Cooper’s team whom he describes as one of the best managers he ever worked for.  Converted LEO I programmes to run on LEO II, then involved in programming a number of service bureau applications and the Standard Motor LEO II/8. Involved at a more senior level with the LEO III to demonstration to prove to the Post Office LEO IIIs multiprogramming capability. Became Programming Manager leading team of 25  charged with producing standard business routines. Left LEO after merger with English Electric,  Moved to DataSolve as Technical Director. Returned to ICL after grand merger as Project Manager at Data Skill.   

Repository :

http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/68654/Alan-Hooker-Interview-21st-November-2018-68654/

Copyright: Leo Computers Society.

Restrictions: None known             

Interviewee:  Alan Jacobs                                                                D.O.B. 16.06.1931

Interviewer: David Phillips

Date of Interview: 17.10.2018

Editor: Frank Land

Joined LEO:  1957

        Abstract: Alan, born in Stoke, took a degree in History at St John’s, Oxford, commencing in 1950, after National Service in the RAF and tried a number of jobs as management trainee, but was not inspired by them. Tempted by LEO advert and after interview was invited to join as programmer.  Involved with a succession of service jobs rising in seniority.  Despite his admiration and like of working at LEO decided to further his career by leaving LEO, first for BEA and then other organisations none of which had the sense of knowing what they were doing he had found at LEO.  When the opportunity came in 1962 he re-joined BAOC to join the team being built by Peter Hermon to develop a comprehensive Airline Reservation System.  Alan headed a team developing ground-breaking Airline Departure system.  Alan left British Airways and was recruited by Sainsbury’s as their Director of IT helping to transform the business. After Sainsbury’s Alan retired

Restrictions:   None known

Repository: http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/56451/Alan-Jacobs-Interview-17-October-2018-56541/