ATV Today: 04.12.1972: Canal Millionaire Ernie Thomas

Summary

Derek Hobson report on the canal millionaire, Ernie Thomas, who lives at Calf Heath, near Cannock. Interview re his life with the canals.

Year:

1972

Duration:

0:08:35

Film type:

Colour / Sound

Company:

ATV

Master format:

16mm

Description

We see Ernie Thomas leaving his house and talking to Derek Hobson on board a canal barge. Ernie talks about his career in the canal business (in the Walsall and Wolverhampton areas) which began in 1923 including the fights he got into and the future of the waterways. Later in a pub, Hobson and Thomas are joined by Fred Morley who has worked for Ernest Thomas since the 1930s. He was first employed after walking from Wolverhampton to Walsall looking for a job. Ernie also describes working for eight days once without taking his boots off.


Credits

No credits specified


Notes

Ernie Thomas was also the subject of a BBC Midland produced programme broadcast on 23 February 1960 in a series called 'It Happened to Me'.