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Centenary site nominated for a Webby Award

100 years - 100 stories: Building the Centenary homepage

John O'Leary

John O'Leary retired in February 2006, after almost exactly 50 years service at the College. His time at Imperial started on 2 January 1956 in the Department of Aeronautics, where he took the position of junior technician.

He said: "I was only 15 and had just left school. I took the job to bide my time as I was fairly sure I would be called up to military service in the very near future. As it happens, I wasn't and I guess that accounts for at least some of why I'm still here!"

John, a member of the technical staff in the Department until he retired, lived in the area and could 'literally fall out of bed and into work'. He wanted a job that was close to home and could develop his budding interest in research. The role's incredibly varied workload also appealed to him. He explained: "You never know what you'll be doing from day to day in this job. Back when I first started, we spent a year moving from Prince Consort Road to the current location on Exhibition Road. I had to do anything I was asked that came under the remit of technical. This could range from shifting furniture to painting wind tunnels."

After a year at the College, John took on the added responsibility of becoming the departmental photographer. He explained: "Photography had always been a hobby of mine, so when the opportunity to combine it with work came along it was great. It's a very challenging aspect of my work. I photograph wind tunnel research work and structural testing as well as documenting student projects."

In addition to his day job, John has been a part-time special police officer for 23 years. He was the only special officer ever to have received an MBE. The award recognised his services in maintaining peace on the streets of south London. He said of the honour: "I received a letter from John Major asking if I'd like to accept the award. I couldn't believe that they had to ask! It just left me with the problem of choosing who to take with me to the palace, as you are only permitted to take three guests and I have a wife and four children!"

In light of this experience as a special, John has spent many years working towards the increased security of his Department. This included offering female staff self-defence classes, which were extremely well received for several years.

Obviously the College has changed dramatically during the 50 years John has worked here. He said: "The biggest change is no doubt how the College looks. So much of it has been rebuilt. Although I had a lot of fondness for some of the old buildings, they could be very cold and draughty."

The future for John is an exciting and busy one. He explained: "Of course I'm going to miss the College tremendously. It's been a huge part of my life for such a long time. I am, however, waiting for final confirmation of my role as a magistrate, something which I'd be very enthusiastic to take on. And I might even do a degree in history. I've never had time before."

  © 2007 Imperial College London