Page 61 - Kol Bogrei Habonim - Winter 20
P. 61
GLASGOW HABONIM – 1956- Cuban Missile Crisis. Many were the earnest
discussions that our Vatikim group had in
1962 contemplating what we would do if the “4-
minute nuclear warning” was given, or
IAN FULTON participation in the Aldermaston anti-nuclear
marches.
Although, like many of my contemporaries, I
was a member of a Garin with the intention
of settling in Israel, subsequently and sadly
this did not come to fruition. I did become an
optronics development engineer for 12 years
with a then, well-known Glasgow hi-tech
H defence company. I was involved in the
aving received the May Newsletter
design, development and manufacture of
from Irgun Bogrei Habonim, I
simply could not resist the
components, fibre-optics and laser systems.
temptation of replying to Coral and Barry to specialised infra-red transmitting optical
indicate that I had found it quite moving and The culmination was in my becoming the
nostalgic. I was a member of the Glasgow manager of a large department,
Bayit in Sinclair Drive from around 1956 to manufacturing specialised optical component
1962. I was Gizbar and editor of GlasgIton, systems. However, simultaneously, I had
for a while, as well as a madrich of a group of become a lay member and activist in a British
Chotrim together with Elaine Cohen Trade Union, the Association of Scientific,
(Coleman). The “weel kent” faces of Willie Technical and Managerial Staff (ASTMS), a
Kelman and Ralph Golomb at the Belper white-collar Trade Union, becoming the
Camp added to the happy memories. I was Glasgow Branch Secretary and then elected
there, as well. to the Scottish Executive. This was an
exciting period in the growth and
Willie and I started our student days at development of white-collar trade unionism
Strathclyde University, and he would often
give me a lift on the back of his little Vespa. in the UK. So much so that in 1974, I
Without doubt, the culmination of all my accepted a post as a full-time trade union
Habonim experiences was the 1961 Israel official with ASTMS, based in Glasgow.
Camp with some very memorable characters Obviously, this was a complete but
and adventures. I still have, to this day, my nevertheless welcome, radical career change.
treasured Dudaim album with all the Whereas I had enjoyed working in industry, I
signatures of the participating chaverim. had become somewhat disillusioned with the
uses of my labour. Why help to build very
There can be little doubt that Habonim would sophisticated optronics scheduled for the
go on to shape my political and socialist British Army Chieftain tanks, which were
ideals. It should be remembered that this then suddenly sold to the Shah of Iran in
period was the height of the Cold War and the exchange for oil? It was fairly obvious that
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