Where it all began
George Gregg took up an apprenticeship with Frank Partridge a builder. When Frank Partridge gave up building (through a bad back) George had done 3.1/2 years of his apprenticeship which he then finished with Rolly Smith. His wages when he started work were 7 shillings and six pence per week. It went up to 12/6 in the second year. In 1934 he joined Stan Clark and was building houses, managing the jobs.
He was 21 when his father died so he had to help support the family.
He was then manpowered to Luney and sent to Wellington to build the top floor on Parliament Buildings. He ran the job being in charge of 100 men for 9 months. He never got home during this period. From there he went to Waterfield near Blenheim still working for Luney. He work on camp F, being one of seven camps, for about 5 months. From there it was back to Christchurch, still with Charley Luney, working on the B railway good sheds.
He biked to work. In 1945 (approx.) he started out in partnership with Tom Overington, calling the firm “Gregg and Overington”. In 1950 the partnership finished and he went out on his own. Sometime later (early 70’s) he took Bruce into a partnership. George always spent some time at night in the workshop preparing for the next day. Bruce took over the business in 1975 (approximately) and George retired.
He was 21 when his father died so he had to help support the family.
He was then manpowered to Luney and sent to Wellington to build the top floor on Parliament Buildings. He ran the job being in charge of 100 men for 9 months. He never got home during this period. From there he went to Waterfield near Blenheim still working for Luney. He work on camp F, being one of seven camps, for about 5 months. From there it was back to Christchurch, still with Charley Luney, working on the B railway good sheds.
He biked to work. In 1945 (approx.) he started out in partnership with Tom Overington, calling the firm “Gregg and Overington”. In 1950 the partnership finished and he went out on his own. Sometime later (early 70’s) he took Bruce into a partnership. George always spent some time at night in the workshop preparing for the next day. Bruce took over the business in 1975 (approximately) and George retired.
