Robert Samuel Porteous

Dad started training as an apprentice weaver in George Street in Edinburgh when he left school. The premises burned down and he then began an apprenticeship as a hot water plumber at Gladsmuir. The second world war put paid to that so he started work as a repair book clerk at St. Margarets depot on the LNER in Edinburgh (1941). He then worked as a cleaner, passed cleaner, fireman, passed fireman and finally driver. During the war as he was in a reserved occupation he acted as an Auxiliary fire messenger in the Home Guard, based in Longniddry. His career on the railway started at St Margarets, then Seafield, St Margarets, North Berwick (where he met Willie and Darling Runciman and so Mum). Then St Margarets, Polmadie, Leith Central, Ballater (training on DMU's), Leith Central, Haymarket and finally Edinburgh Waverley. A keen golfer, bowler (6 times Longniddry BC champion) and gardener he loved outdoors. He would have loved to see where his family tree led to.