Robert Whitear

Name:  Robert Whitear

Age:  70

Place of birth:  East London

Job on the river:  Bobby became a docker in July 1953 after completing his National Service. He first worked at the West India Docks at number 5 sector. Many men from his family, including his father and brother, worked in number 6 sector, so he obtained a transfer to join them. He later moved to the Regent's Canal Dock.

Strongest memory:  Dock work was hard, but Bobby always enjoyed his colleagues' company as they played jokes on each other. He also worked cargoes of asbestos in the docks. The lack of adequate protection for the dockers while handling the substance meant that many later became ill, including Bobby.

Feelings about dock closure and regeneration:  Bobby likes the changes along the river, especially those at Regent's Canal Dock where he used to work. The dock is now known as Limehouse Basin and has become a marina for pleasure craft.