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Book keeping – a slow and steady job…
Martins Bank Statements are produced for our customers by our branch machinist staff. Each line of the statement is produced by fitting the sheet into the machine just like a typewriter, and using the various keys to select and calculate the many different types of transaction. This is quite laborious, and there is no room for error without having to start all over again. it is also fairly messy, as the same sheet is pulled out of a file and put into the machine every time there is activity on an account. The more advanced machines have two platens side by side so that a copy statement (known as a ledger) can also be produced line by line for the bank to keep. As Martins’ computerisation plans are put on hold for the Merger with Barclays, sadly this is how statement production continues in the majority of Martins Branches until the end of the bank, and the advent of Barclays’ own ambitious automation plans.
This is a mocked up example of one of the earliest statements to be produced using Martins Pegasus Computer System, coupled to the Frieden Flexowriter. It is used mainly to produce statements for business customers with a large volume of transactions through their accounts, and also to computerise the book-keeping for staff loan accounts from around 1967 onwards. the first immediate advantage is the reduction in time and manpower used in the production of statements, and without wishing to offend the hard working machinist, the computerised version is definitely neater and easier on the eye! You can read more about Martins’ computerisation plans at LIVERPOOL COMPUTER CENTRE and LONDON COMPUTER CENTRE.
Off to Machine School!
Our good friend Iris Brooks is lucky enough to be a trainer for Martins Midland District Machine School, which gives a large number of female staff in the district the chance to learn how to operate the machines they will be using from day to day in the branches to provide the necessary book keeping facilities for the Bank and its customers. At this time the Bank offers what is still a quite meagre salary, especially to its female staff (see THE NICEST PEOPLE). We can however say in all fairness, that the expenses that can be claimed in respect of courses are generous.	A section of a typical Machine Accounting School, circa 1960
Judge for yourself, as we reproduce below a copy of the Joining Instructions for the Machine School run at Derby in 1956, which was recently supplied to us by Iris…
Our Branch at Derby is home to the 1956 Midland District Machine Schools		MIDLAND DISTRICT OFFICE MACHINE SCHOOL TRAINING takes place at the District Office School at Derby Branch. Instruction is given from Monday to Friday each week, commencing at noon on Mondays and at 9.15 a.m. on other days and the course covers a period of two to three weeks, depending on the extent of the trainees' prior experience. Trainees are allowed to return home for the week-ends on Friday afternoons. ACCOMMODATION is arranged in a comfortable private house in one of the best residential areas in Derby where breakfast and an evening meal are provided. Trainees will be given full instructions regarding the bus route by the Machine School Supervisor at Derby Branch which is situated at 5, Market' Place, Derby. On arrival at Derby Railway Station, a taxi should be taken to the Branch and trainees should make arrangements as far as possible to arrive by mid-day on Monday mornings.
If this presents any difficulty, the Manager of the Branch at which the trainee is employed should be requested to advise District Office beforehand. EXPENSES. The following will be paid by the Bank and should be claimed from the Machine School Supervisor who will supply the necessary form for completion:- · 2nd Class rail fares between home and Derby, (including visits home during the weekends of the Course) meals, on the train and taxi fares. · Bus fares to and from Derby Branch for the period of the Course. · Gratuities paid on the journey. · Lunches at the usual rate of 3/6d. a day. · The charge for accommodation will be settled by the Bank. As the charge is inclusive, the question of gratuities will not arise.
© gut informiert 2007 to date

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