Bristow: Young Upstarts

When first we meet Mr. Bristow there are 6 persons labouring within the grimy walls of the Buying Department - our hero plus Fudge, Jones, Hewitt, Pilkington and one Himple who retires almost at once leaving not a trace behind. Himple is never permanently replaced but a number of new faces come and go, thus keeping the numbers up. The most durable is Barker but a few other youngsters have made their mark. Bristow is always suspicious and anxious about newcomers - they threaten his position in the hierarchy and they often have unpleasant personal habits. Let us make the acquaintance of these would-be buying clerks

New man #1
Hot on the heels of the pensioned-off Himple steps a "new man", introduced in strip no 7 in October 1961. Hewitt delights in wasting time whilst ostensibly teaching the job but in reality how to drink tea. Bristow tries to calculate his pay, then seriously worries that he may lose his job. The new man goes too far when he starts flicking ink pellets and then, just as he has Bristow well and truly rattled, he hands in his notice and departs. Only readers of the Aberdeen Press and Journal would have seen the full story.

Mr. Pepper

Early in 1962 a Mr. Reg Pepper replaces the "new man". He plays it all wrong by possessing a Hitler-style moustache and irritating Pilkington with non-stop chatter. His predeccesor having taught Bristow well, Mr Pepper finds himself on the receiving end strip 22

Strip 22 was published in the Aberdeen Press and Journal in January 1962. This scan is from the Evening Standard March 1962. Apologies for poor quality of this photo from microfiche

and then makes the fatal mistake of trying to out-talk Fudge. Result, one dismissal and massive schadenfreude all round.

Mr. Charteris

In November 1963 Bristow hears some unwelcome news - a new man is due to start. Cue fists beaten on desk and a mournful cry "Suddenly I'm nineteenth in line for chief buyer". He quickly develops a cunning plan involving squeezing the telephone receiver all morning so as to build up the strength in his fingers with which to put the unsuspecting Charteris out of action at the first handshake. Unfortunately his victim seems to have the same idea.

Strip 873 was published in the Evening Standard in November 1963. Apologies for poor quality of scan from microfiche. And I have no idea who the manager is that is introducing the new man

Mr. Charteris settles in quickly and soon gets Bristow's measure, and Fudge's - strip 875

Strip 875 was published in the Evening Standard in November 1963. Apologies for poor quality of scan from microfiche

. But he is clearly not suited to Chester-Perry's and is gone in flash, citing the old-fashioned methods used in the firm as his reason for going elsewhere. Bristow sums it all up perfectly in strip 878

Strip 878 was published in the Evening Standard in November 1963. Apologies for poor quality of scan from microfiche.

Mr. Jackson

Extract from strip 1347 published in the Evening Standard June 1965. This scan is from the Sydney Morning Herald February 1966

Mr Jackson wastes no time on his first day

With his dashing good looks, long blonde hair and woman-chasing obsession, Mr "Woof, Woof" Jackson makes his mark at once, moving smoothly from the receptionist to the girls in the pool (all before he has actually stepped through the door of the Buying Department), as strip 1348

Strip 1348 was published in the Evening Standard in June 1965. This scan is from the Sydney Morning Herald in March 1966

shows. And the moment he realises that no ladies (or "chicks") work in that room, he is off to try his luck across the street at Myles & Rudge Ltd. This gives him an excellent vantage point to survey the talent in the C-P building strip 1426

Strip 1426 was published in the Evening Standard in September 1965. This scan is from the Sydney Morning Herald published June 1966

using the hapless Bristow as his stooge but he is sadly disillusioned when Bristow steers the unsuspecting Miss Sunman into his sights in strip 1428.

Strip 1428 was published in the Evening Standard in September 1965. Apologies for low quality of this photo from microfiche

A potential disaster for Bristow looms when Miss Pretty turns up the clean the phones because Myles & Rudge are also her clients strip 1437

Strip 1437 was published in the Evening Standard in September 1965. This scan is from the Sydney Morning Herald published June 1966

- but they don't hit it off.

Mr Jackson continues to work, or at least chase the skirts, at Myles and Rudge and he keeps on popping up at unexpected times - such as immediately after a pretty young woman takes a seat in the crowded train beside Bristow or when a girl, attractive because she owns her own car, seems to be available strip 1534

Strip 1534 was published in the Evening Standard in January 1966. This scan is from the Melbourne Age published in December 1968

. But life catches up with him in the shape of a tough cookie called Agnes. In no time his hair is trim, he sports a bowler and a steady wage in a 9-5 job is his heart's desire.

Mr. Tyson

Barker leaves in April 66 and the following month a potential replacement provides Bristow with a headache. For young Mr. Tyson, at once the apple of Fudge's eye, is arrogant, lazy and downright rude to the only man who can see through him.

Strip 1632 was published in the Evening Standard in May 1966. This scan is from the Sydney Morning Herald published in October 1966

The behaviour of young Tyson (our "our Terry" as the infatuated Jones calls him) provokes a real crie de coeur from Bristow in strip 1637 .

Strip 1637 was published in the Evening Standard in May 1966. This scan is from the Sydney Morning Herald published in October 1966

Bristow's goose seems cooked in strip 1639

Strip 1639 was published in the Evening Standard in May 1966. This scan is from the Sydney Morning Herald published in November 1966

but his old friend in the accounts comes up with a cunning plan to save the day in strip 1647

Strip 1647 was published in the Evening Standard in May 1966. This scan is from the Sydney Morning Herald published in November 1966

New Man #2

40 years later the Buying Department has shrunk to just 3 permanent members but they still recruit the odd youngster. For reasons that are unclear, the young man who joins in 2009 is put in Bristow's care to be trained. Bristow's philosophy of life is doubtless inspiring -strip 2214

Strip 2214 was published on www.frankdickens.com in November 2009

- but the new man is too ambitious strip 2220

Strip 2220 was published on www.frankdickens.com in November 2009

- and he departs forthwith.

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Bristow's Colleagues
Young Upstarts in the Buying Department
	When first we meet Mr. Bristow there are 6 persons labouring within the grimy walls of the Buying Department - our hero plus Fudge, Jones, Hewitt, Pilkington and one Himple who retires almost at once leaving not a trace behind. Himple is never permanently replaced but a number of new faces come and go, thus keeping the numbers up. The most durable is Barker but a few other youngsters have made their mark. Bristow is always suspicious and anxious about newcomers - they threaten his position in the hierarchy and they often have unpleasant personal habits. Let us make the acquaintance of these would-be buying clerks New man #1 Hot on the heels of the pensioned-off Himple steps a "new man", introduced in strip no 7 in October 1961. Hewitt delights in wasting time whilst ostensibly teaching the job but in reality how to drink tea. Bristow tries to calculate his pay, then seriously worries that he may lose his job. The new man goes too far when he starts flicking ink pellets and then, just as he has Bristow well and truly rattled, he hands in his notice and departs. Only readers of the Aberdeen Press and Journal would have seen the full story. Mr. Pepper Early in 1962 a Mr. Reg Pepper replaces the "new man". He plays it all wrong by possessing a Hitler-style moustache and irritating Pilkington with non-stop chatter. His predeccesor having taught Bristow well, Mr Pepper finds himself on the receiving end strip 22 Strip 22 was published in the Aberdeen Press and Journal in January 1962. This scan is from the Evening Standard March 1962. Apologies for poor quality of this photo from microfiche and then makes the fatal mistake of trying to out-talk Fudge. Result, one dismissal and massive schadenfreude all round. Mr. Charteris In November 1963 Bristow hears some unwelcome news - a new man is due to start. Cue fists beaten on desk and a mournful cry "Suddenly I'm nineteenth in line for chief buyer". He quickly develops a cunning plan involving squeezing the telephone receiver all morning so as to build up the strength in his fingers with which to put the unsuspecting Charteris out of action at the first handshake. Unfortunately his victim seems to have the same idea. Strip 873 was published in the Evening Standard in November 1963. Apologies for poor quality of scan from microfiche. And I have no idea who the manager is that is introducing the new man Mr. Charteris settles in quickly and soon gets Bristow's measure, and Fudge's - strip 875 Strip 875 was published in the Evening Standard in November 1963. Apologies for poor quality of scan from microfiche . But he is clearly not suited to Chester-Perry's and is gone in flash, citing the old-fashioned methods used in the firm as his reason for going elsewhere. Bristow sums it all up perfectly in strip 878 Strip 878 was published in the Evening Standard in November 1963. Apologies for poor quality of scan from microfiche. Mr. Jackson Extract from strip 1347 published in the Evening Standard June 1965. This scan is from the Sydney Morning Herald February 1966 Mr Jackson wastes no time on his first day With his dashing good looks, long blonde hair and woman-chasing obsession, Mr "Woof, Woof" Jackson makes his mark at once, moving smoothly from the receptionist to the girls in the pool (all before he has actually stepped through the door of the Buying Department), as strip 1348 Strip 1348 was published in the Evening Standard in June 1965. This scan is from the Sydney Morning Herald in March 1966 shows. And the moment he realises that no ladies (or "chicks") work in that room, he is off to try his luck across the street at Myles & Rudge Ltd. This gives him an excellent vantage point to survey the talent in the C-P building strip 1426 Strip 1426 was published in the Evening Standard in September 1965. This scan is from the Sydney Morning Herald published June 1966 using the hapless Bristow as his stooge but he is sadly disillusioned when Bristow steers the unsuspecting Miss Sunman into his sights in strip 1428. Strip 1428 was published in the Evening Standard in September 1965. Apologies for low quality of this photo from microfiche A potential disaster for Bristow looms when Miss Pretty turns up the clean the phones because Myles & Rudge are also her clients strip 1437 Strip 1437 was published in the Evening Standard in September 1965. This scan is from the Sydney Morning Herald published June 1966 - but they don't hit it off. Mr Jackson continues to work, or at least chase the skirts, at Myles and Rudge and he keeps on popping up at unexpected times - such as immediately after a pretty young woman takes a seat in the crowded train beside Bristow or when a girl, attractive because she owns her own car, seems to be available strip 1534 Strip 1534 was published in the Evening Standard in January 1966. This scan is from the Melbourne Age published in December 1968 . But life catches up with him in the shape of a tough cookie called Agnes. In no time his hair is trim, he sports a bowler and a steady wage in a 9-5 job is his heart's desire. Mr. Tyson Barker leaves in April 66 and the following month a potential replacement provides Bristow with a headache. For young Mr. Tyson, at once the apple of Fudge's eye, is arrogant, lazy and downright rude to the only man who can see through him. Strip 1632 was published in the Evening Standard in May 1966. This scan is from the Sydney Morning Herald published in October 1966 The behaviour of young Tyson (our "our Terry" as the infatuated Jones calls him) provokes a real crie de coeur from Bristow in strip 1637 . Strip 1637 was published in the Evening Standard in May 1966. This scan is from the Sydney Morning Herald published in October 1966 Bristow's goose seems cooked in strip 1639 Strip 1639 was published in the Evening Standard in May 1966. This scan is from the Sydney Morning Herald published in November 1966 but his old friend in the accounts comes up with a cunning plan to save the day in strip 1647 Strip 1647 was published in the Evening Standard in May 1966. This scan is from the Sydney Morning Herald published in November 1966 New Man #2 40 years later the Buying Department has shrunk to just 3 permanent members but they still recruit the odd youngster. For reasons that are unclear, the young man who joins in 2009 is put in Bristow's care to be trained. Bristow's philosophy of life is doubtless inspiring -strip 2214 Strip 2214 was published on www.frankdickens.com in November 2009 - but the new man is too ambitious strip 2220 Strip 2220 was published on www.frankdickens.com in November 2009 - and he departs forthwith. . Top