No Room For Passengers

About the Book

With the help of Trafford Publishing (UK) Ltd, the author of his first book -- "No Room For Passengers" John Trevor Trueman welcomes you as readers of non-fiction. Some may class this a history book. Not many records of life as a National Service person in the U.K. after the prolific accounts of the two World Wars has been documented. We hope this proves both interesting and amusing.

Young people at the age of 18 were "called up" to serve The Queen and Country for two years to train in one of the Armed Forces. This "call up" came to all ranks of life. Upper class, Middle class, and Lower class families alike. If fit, no one was exempt! This mixture of intellects created a trained force never seen before. The author in 1955 to 1957 was a member of that force and in his account of his two years service in H.M. Royal Navy still recalls clearly after fifty years thought provoking memories both serious and amusing.

Although deferred until 24 years of age an Arts graduate from the Regional College of Art & Design Manchester, he has never regretted his break with civilian life and often comments on the fact that if the present Government introduced conscription again most of the crime on our doorsteps, drugs and armed robbery would gradually sort itself out.

In the 1950's and 60's "Flower Power" was in vogue and National Service was at its highest demand. I can not recall it did any harm then. It gave the memories the author recalls of making men out of boys.

About the Author

The author of No Room For Passengers was born on the 4th September 1932 in a northwestern town called Stalybridge. An only son, he left with his parents to live in a town callled Hyde. Both towns had been thriving in the cotton mill days.

He attended a CoF junior high school until gaining a place at the local Grammar school where he gained his school certificate and also a Cheshire Educational Scholarship to the College of Art in the city of Manchester. He spent five years in college, four years to gain his diploma in design for interior design. One year in teacher training. From early childhood he had an interest in the theatre and was in local drama groups. Also at college he was in the college's first jazz group playing new orleans style as a drummer.

Then came national service -- the subject of this book -- and on leaving in 1957 started a career in the professional theater as an assistant designer at the Coliseum Theatre in Oldham, another well known northern town. From there he became a fully professional stage designer. Working for a number of theatre companies at Norwich Sheffield a four year residency at Oldham then Venture productions at Manchester and Morcambe. At all these companies he was on the acting staff as well so had an all around knowledge of the professional theatre he loved so much.

He was married by now and starting a family so weekly Rep. had to be put on hold.

Going back into contact with commercial art was at first strange but he persevered and free lanced with a big firm of exhibition builders in Manchester designing stands for large exhibitions in London Birmingham and Belle Vue Manchester.

Working for four years in the Crown Wallpapaer and Paints division at Darwen gave plenty of opportunity to travel doing his first craft Interior Design. By this time he decided to move back to Manchester and he worked for the next 24 yers designing displays and major exhibitions at the Manchester Museum, Manchester University, Oxford Road.

His theatrical interest kept him busy as a hobby until recently in 2003 when at seventy he went to his dream city in America - New Orleans, LA.

He now paints for pleasure and remembers his time spent in amateur theatre as an all-rounder designer, actor and director of drama and musical productions. He says his "Tap dancing days are over" but still drums in local jazz groups in order to keep music "Live".

The author of No Room For Passengers was born on the 4th September 1932 in a northwestern town called Stalybridge. An only son, he left with his parents to live in a town callled Hyde. Both towns had been thriving in the cotton mill days.

He attended a CoF junior high school until gaining a place at the local Grammar school where he gained his school certificate and also a Cheshire Educational Scholarship to the College of Art in the city of Manchester. He spent five years in college, four years to gain his diploma in design for interior design. One year in teacher training. From early childhood he had an interest in the theatre and was in local drama groups. Also at college he was in the college's first jazz group playing new orleans style as a drummer.

Then came national service -- the subject of this book -- and on leaving in 1957 started a career in the professional theater as an assistant designer at the Coliseum Theatre in Oldham, another well known northern town. From there he became a fully professional stage designer. Working for a number of theatre companies at Norwich Sheffield a four year residency at Oldham then Venture productions at Manchester and Morcambe. At all these companies he was on the acting staff as well so had an all around knowledge of the professional theatre he loved so much.

He was married by now and starting a family so weekly Rep. had to be put on hold.

Going back into contact with commercial art was at first strange but he persevered and free lanced with a big firm of exhibition builders in Manchester designing stands for large exhibitions in London Birmingham and Belle Vue Manchester.

Working for four years in the Crown Wallpapaer and Paints division at Darwen gave plenty of opportunity to travel doing his first craft Interior Design. By this time he decided to move back to Manchester and he worked for the next 24 yers designing displays and major exhibitions at the Manchester Museum, Manchester University, Oxford Road.

His theatrical interest kept him busy as a hobby until recently in 2003 when at seventy he went to his dream city in America - New Orleans, LA.

He now paints for pleasure and remembers his time spent in amateur theatre as an all-rounder designer, actor and director of drama and musical productions. He says his "Tap dancing days are over" but still drums in local jazz groups in order to keep music "Live".