Mr Scrafton

Started work in the shipyards at 14, but got the sack for bookmaking - was playing trick on others in the plumbers shop, said would throw everyone's winnings in the bust, threw washers - then boss came in. Mean test assessors said father could keep him, as a bookmaker - even though bookmaking illegal. Father's methods as bookmaker, started after shipyard injury. Police raiding house. Went on the parish, had to borrow, sold medals for football playing. Took coal from the heap and was going to be sent to jail for it but brother paid fines. Process of taking bets on the streets, examples of particular bets, what was legal and what wasn't. Some police would look the other way. Tricking police. Tried to join the RAF. Three card men and other tricks. Method of taking in bets involving clocks with trick section? Mainly bet on racecourses and railways. Cards - played brag by candlelight in outhouse, candle might be snuffed and money taken. Fighting. Ways people tried to trick or outdo the bookmakers. Safe stolen. Staff had to be trustworthy - staff who cheated on it. Size of most bets. Betting on the dogs. Giving out money. Man with cat on dog track. Horse racing, fiddle with horses deliberately stopping. Friend who drunkenly tried to commit suicide, put in "dizzy ward". Two friends tried to run off to London - mishaps in the countryside, came back. One of them's experiences as a prisoner of war in Spain - eventually killed himself along with a girlfriend. IN the shipyard - accidental fire, played tricks on others, sometimes dangerous. Everyone trying to get one over on others. In the "training centre" - good food on day of George VIs coronation; otherwise bad, had a riot about it.

Location: Sunderland
County: Tyne and Wear
AUD1992-90

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