Call Sign likes to take the occasional wonder back through Dial-a-Cab history because we’ve always felt it to be important and that in any case, it is part of what we are. And there is no doubt that Alan Lewis (A44) is very much part of that history, going back a long way in the history of our company. In fact Alan joined what was then ODRTS (Owner Drivers Radio Taxi Service) on 30th August 1962 and retains his original callsign to this day.
   The sprightly 75-year old, who looks much younger and with a clarity of mind belying his years, told Call Sign of the days when our offices were in Pentonville Road and Alan’s Cafe, owned by Aldo Boca, brother of the recently departed former DaC subscriber John Boca, was just across the street. The young Alan Lewis and ODRTS friends would all meet up there for tea breaks and a natter. Renowned DaC names from the past flowed from his tongue as if it were only yesterday. Jack Taylor and Martin Gellman (both former Chairmen) and the still hale and hearty Bill Tyzack BEM (C6) were just some of them.
   "The Boca brothers started on the Knowledge after we cab drivers began visiting their cafe. We’d go into the radio office to collect our credit money and then nip across the road for a cuppa and a chat," he continued. "I actually brokered a ‘marriage’ there between Bill Tyzack, who was looking for a dayman to share his cab and a friend of mine, Harry Barrs, who was looking for a nightman to work with." Alan beamed as it all came back!
   "I was partners with my late brother Phil, a nightman known as ‘Phil the Pipe’ before going on my own for a few years. I’ve now been partners with Lawrie Klein these past 30 years."
   Going onto Dial-a-Cab specifically, Alan added: "I absolutely love this wonderful circuit of ours, I would not be without the radio - not just any radio because ours is by far the best. I know you would expect me to say that, but it’s none the less true!"

Alan Lewis: DaC’s second longest serving member

of muffler, hat and heavy coat. "Today’s cab is like travelling executive class by comparison," he smiled, "just, no comparison really!"
   Alan went on to recall some of the more eccentric account clients of those distant times, including one individual who would book a cab to Liverpool Street Station as a wait and return. The client would then put a chalk mark on the tyre of the cab to ensure the cab did not go anywhere and then he would go to Cambridge for the day and expect the same cab to be waiting for him upon his return! The same scenario could happen at Victoria Station when the client decided to visit Brighton or even the continent! There was no Eurostar in those days – or the type of traffic wardens we get nowadays! But that type of job was very much the exception, generally they were hard times, but you just got on with the job," Alan said with a shrug of the shoulders that said it all. "By comparison, it’s a good bit easier these days, even though some people think they may be having a tough time of it."
   Alan’s hobby is playing Bridge, something he really enjoys. "Perhaps when I do eventually decide to hang up my Badge, I will have more time to pursue the game. But I don’t foresee that happening anytime too soon, because it would involve leaving DaC and that would be hard – very hard indeed…"

Alan Green (E52) © Call Sign Magazine MMX1

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