You push a little button, and…
Image © Barclays Ref: 33/513
Our branch at 41a South Audley Street opens in 1954, and only six years later hits the headlines as the first branch of a UK bank to process its daily transactions on a computer. ‘Pegasus’ (which is named after the winged horse of Greek legend) has arrived, and nothing will ever be the same again. Staff will have to get used to the idea of inputting work to a computer rather than writing up in a ledger, and this will be hard concept for many.				Image © Barclays Ref: 33/513
It is the aim of Martins’ Organisation Research and Development Department, spearheaded by Ron Hindle, to combine the activity of recording transactions on a computer with the automation of cheques through the use of reader-sorter machines linked to computer equipment. This is successfully achieved, and Pegasus soon processes the work of South Audley Street in London, with Pegasus II at LIVERPOOL COMPUTER CENTRE, covering the work of Liverpool City Office and Heywood Branches, and 68 Lombard Street London Office is electronically able to read and sort 950 cheques per minute by 1961. In 1966 a state of the art computer centre is completed in LONDON, vastly increasing Martins processing possibilities. Although Martins’ involvement in computers fades into obscurity with the takeover by Barclays, we cannot underestimate its importance in establishing the way that all banks have processed our cheques for over fifty years. The final issue of Martins Bank Magazine in Winter 1969 reminds us of this and recalls the arrival of the computer age:
					1959: “The announcement that the Bank has ordered a computer and that delivery is expected in no more than twelve months hence may have come as a rude shock to some who have prayed that it would not come in their time” – But come it had, and in Spring 1960 in co-operation with Ferranti using their Pegasus computer, we had taken South Audley Street as the guinea-pig branch. For the first time in this country, the current account work of a branch was operated day to day on an electronic computer.
For more information and images, please visit our TECHNOLOGY pages.
44 years not out (well almost)…
Our manager at South Audley Street, Mr G Turner, opened the branch in 1954 and has been at the helm ever since, seeing the branch into the computer age. Now in 1969 it is time for him to retire, but he is suddenly somewhat peeved that a virus has interfered with his service record! Read on…
very disappointed at failing to complete his 44 years' service by five hours, Mr Gilbert Turner was forced to leave the office and go home to bed on March 31. However, the 'extremely unpleasant virus' which caused his disappointment was retreating a week later and he was able to use the new portable typewriter presented to him by Mr W. E. Turnbull on March 27. On that evening a reception was held at South Audley Street branch at which many old friends and colleagues were present. Mrs Turner, who received a bouquet from Miss Angela Lamb, was accompanied by her younger daughter. Mr Turner's career began at Millfield in 1925 and he served at various branches in the North East until his transfer to 68 Lombard Street in 1937. After five years with H.M. Forces he was appointed Pro Manager at Curzon Street in 1951 and Manager at South Audley Street in 1954. Mr Turner tells us that the photograph supplied to us has also been filed with a film production company: his friends should therefore watch their screens carefully.
Remember Mario?
	From time to time we are contacted by people who worked for Martins but then left around the time of the merger with Barclays. Some had long careers, others short, but usually, all of them have happy memories and are keen to find mention of their former colleagues within our pages. One such former employee is Mario Berry, who contacted us in May 2012 with fond memories of working for just four years (1965-1969) at 41a South Audley Street, under the management of Mr G K Turner. Mario would like to get in touch once more with those who knew him, and if you would like to contact him, please write to us at the usual address: gutinfo@btinternet.com .
Mr G K Turner Manager 1954 to 31 Mar 1969		Mr C Askew On the Staff 1955 to 1956				Mr D G Hill On the Staff 1956 to 1958	Mr P J Hole Joined the Bank Here 1959 to 1960
Mr W J Vaughan On the Staff 1960 to 1964		Mr A W George On the Staff 1964 to 1968				Mr M Berry On the Staff 1965 to 1969	Mr N Deane Manager 01 Apr 1969 onwards
Title:			11-05-80 London 41a South Audley Street
Type:			Full and Automated Branch
Address:			41a South Audley Street London W1
Hours:			Mon to Fri 1000-1500
			Saturday 0900-1130
Telephone:			01 499 1501 & 1039
Services:			Nightsafe Installed
Manager:			Mr N Deane Manager
© gut informiert 2007 to date