Delap, A. Mne.

Personal Information

Arthur Delap was born in Byker, in the East End of Newcastle, in July 1920. He left school at age of fourteen and started training as a joiner in the shipyards before moving to Vickers, the armaments manufacturer. When war broke out, as he was in a 'protected profession' he was not required to serve in the forces. However, he was keen to do his bit for King and country and decided to join up, with a preference for the Navy. But at the recruiting office he was rejected for the Navy because he was colour-blind. Fortunately, a Marine Sergeant Major overheard the conversation and said that they would take him on. Arthur thought about it, and cheekily said he would sign up for the Marines, as long as he was able to work on ships. Arthur returned home to the Northeast in 1947 and went back to shipbuilding. In 1950 he married his sweetheart Molly, the boss's daughter that he had met and courted whilst working in Vickers. Arthur was good at making things and very artistic. Having missed out on joining the Navy, Arthur decided to build his own sailing boat, a little Enterprise racing dinghy.