LEO editor

• Interviewee: Alan Sercombe                                                  DOB:  1934

Interviewer: John Hoey

Date of Interview: 23/07/2014

Role in LEO: Programmer

Joined LEO: 1959

Abstract: Alan received degree in mathematics and after National Service joined Armstrong Siddeley as a programmer on a Ferranti Mark I.  The company’s merger with another aircraft manufacturer led to his leaving and joining LEO.  He worked on the LEO II at Standard Motors, but in 1963 joined Peter Gyngell in Australia working with a number of LEO computers sold in Australia and later with EELM and then ICL; finishing his career in 1996 as a very senior member of the successor companies working in an administrative and legal capacity.Repository: http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/50623/Alan-Sercombe-Interview-23-July-2014-50623/

Interviewee: Betty Cooper (nee Newman) DOB: 1930

Interviewer: Janet Abbate

Date of Interview: September 2001

Role in LEO: Programmer on LEO I and LEO II/I

Joined LEO: 1953

Abstract: Betty joined Lyons as a labour cost clerk in the Statistical Office in September 1949. In 1953 she was selected for a LEO appreciation course, and as a result was offered a job as a programmer on LEO I. Despite scepticism about what LEO would be able to do she accepted the offer. She worked on a number of applications – payroll under Mary Blood (Coombs) and Tea Blending under Frank Land. She gained a reputation as a sound and reliable programmer. She left LEO to work as a programmer with EverReady before leaving to start a family.

Copyright: IEEE

A transcript of this interview is available on the ETHW website.

Please Note: This item is not in the LEO Computers Oral History and this is a pointer to it.

Date : September 2001

• Interviewee: John Daines                                                        DOB: 28^th July 1943  

Interviewer:  Ray Hennessy

Date of Interview: 26/04/2012

Role in LEO: Computer Operator

Joined LEO: October 1961

Abstract: John was an operator in the LEO II bureau and then did acceptance trials for LEO III systems in the Minerva Road factory before moving onto System 4 trials and software development.  His oral history covers the role of operators in the early days.  He progressed through ICL until retirement as a senior consultant in 2002. Active member of LEO Computers Society

Repository: http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/53366/John-Daines-Interview-26-April-2012-53366/

Copyright: LEO Computers Society

• Interviewee: Simon Benedictus         DOB: 1933

Interviewer:  David Phillips

Date of Interview: 17.04.2012

Role in LEO: Statistician

Joined LEO: 

Abstract: Mathematics degree from Imperial College, followed after National Service by Masters  in Statistics from LSE.  Joined Lyons Maid (Ice Cream division of J. Lyons) working on weather based Ice Cream forecasting. Helped define LEO Ice Cream sales job, later working on bakery sales. Remained an employee of J. Lyons.

Repository: Partially edited Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1P6_RbLBT7dZ21Pajr1GmH26DfaZy9ITK/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106995194925914651236&rtpof=true&sd=true

Recording:          Part 1: https://www.dropbox.com/home/LEO%20Oral%20History%20project/LEO%20Oral%20History%20Recordings/Simon%20Benidictus%20interview?preview=BENIDICTUS+PT1.m4a

                              Part 2:https://www.dropbox.com/home/LEO%20Oral%20History%20project/LEO%20Oral%20History%20Recordings/Simon%20Benidictus%20interview?preview=BENIDICTUS+PT2.m4a

Recording: MP3/4

Text: Dropbox Unedited Transcripts Part 1 &2  https://www.dropbox.com/search/personal?path=%2F&preview=Simon+Benedictus+Unedited.doc&qsid=28523817330004498807401206891638&query=simon&search_token=maaZCi5EZfs9ghMHde3MaOmE5gIkeIs7mVlUbNhfSkQ%3D

Link: http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/53367/Simon-Benedictus-Interview/

Copyright: LEO Computers Society                  

• Interviewee: Roger Coleman                                                   DOB: 1932

Interviewer: Tim-Greening Jackson

Date of Interview: 22.05.2008

Role in LEO: Computer Programmer, Systems Analyst

Joined LEO: December 1954

Abstract: Roger left Mill Hill school in 1950 to self-study to become an actuary but in 1954 responded to an advertisement for a programmer job at Cadby Hall. Joined LEO aged 22, the then youngest programmer. Rapid progress led to him being given the British Rail station to station distancing job working with John Gosden under David Caminer. The oral history is confined to his early career and the details of the BR job.  A text-only Part 1 to the composite oral history provides a summary of his career to retirement.  His career after leaving LEO in 1957 included managing the LEO 2/9 at Ilford Limited, working for Ford Motor Company and rising to head much of their European Computer organisation, and finishing his career as a private consultant.

Repository:  

Composite Oral History: https://docs.google.com/document/d/12xzlyGxQrqJe6Y6Dp9QLpO6vAqb4JLmx/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106995194925914651236&rtpof=true&sd=true

Link: http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/53368/Roger-Coleman-Interview/

Recording: Windows Media Player

Copyright: Tim Greening-Jackson, but unrestricted access permitted subject to due acknowledgements. 

Restrictions: None Known

Interviewee: Gloria Guy

Interviewer: Elizabetta Mori

Date: 13 Nov 2018http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/55627/Gloria-Guy-Interview-13th-November-2018-55627/

Repository: https://docs.google.com/document/d/14Pjn04abzIqNhpt8I1md7m8Y6ZJ1fYIc/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106995194925914651236&rtpof=true&sd=true

Recording on Google Drive

• Interviewee: Alan King                                                            DOB: August 1936

Interviewer: Tony Morgan                                                             Died 2017

Date of Interview: 16.08.2011

Role in Lyons: Systems Research Office, then Lyons Computer Services 

Joined Lyons:  Autumn 1959 

Abstract: Alan studied Classics at Oxford and on graduating was taken on by Lyons in their Systems Research Office. A career working on a number of the Lyons LEO application followed by a senior role in Lyons Systems Services, formed to develop and service computer applications first on LEO machines and later when Lyons replaced LEO with IBM computers. Acting Chief Executive Institute of Administrative Management.

Repository: 

Text:

Edited Text: 

Repository:http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/53369/Alan-King-Interview/

Copyright: Leo Computers Society. 

Restrictions: None known

• Interviewee: Ray Hennessy                                                    DOB: December 1934

Interviewer: John Daines                                                                  Died November 2016

Date of Interview: 27.04.2012

Role in Lyons: Programmer 

Joined Lyons:  1959

Abstract: Joined as trainee programmer after being offered jobs by Elliott computing and English Electric..  Worked on many projects including British Oxygen.  Despite temptation to join other companies remained with LEO and its successor companies working in a senior capacity on a number of Government projects and after retirement working as a consultant to ICL and its associated companies. Active in LEO Computers Society until his death.

Repository: http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/53371/Ray-Hennessy-Interview-27th-April-2012-53371/

Copyright: Leo Computers Society. Restrictions:  None known

• Interviewee: Tony Morgan                                                     DOB: June 1937

Interviewer:   Ray Hennessy

Date of Interview: 08.11.2011

Role in Lyons:  Commissioning Engineer

Joined Lyons:  December 1947

Abstract:  Joined LEO as engineer.  Spent most of his career as commissioning engineer on LEO IIs and IIIs, finishing as senior commissioning engineer.  In retirement LEO Computer Society’s expert on all matters relating to LEO hardware. Active Member of LEO Computers Society

Text Repository: http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/53373/Tony-Morgan-Interview/

Text:  Transcript being currently edited by Tony Morgan 

Recording: 

Copyright: Leo Computers Society. 

Restrictions: None known