Gerry Wain - A Dubai Waterman

Gerry Wain's Story

as told to Len Chapman

Gerry was born in Manchester UK. On leaving school, he joined the Greater Manchester County Fire Service and served with them until his retirement in 1954

After his retirement, Gerry was approached by George Angus & Company Limited. They manufactured and serviced fire equipment such as extingishers and hose. Angus's Agent in Dubai, Mars and Co, were looking for an experienced person to service Angus Fire Equipment they sold.

Gerry accepted their offer and moved to Dubai in 1954 to work for Mars and Co.

Mars and Co.

Their premises were located in Al Nasr Square (now Bani Yas Square) and easily recognised from their sign board.

Signboard was an exact copy of the Mars Bars Manufacturer's Logo

No Copyright Laws in 1950s Dubai!!

NOTE: The "Mars Co" signboard was still in place in 1970s

Sales and Service with a Difference

Mars and Co. and Gerry soon found there was not enough Fire Equipment Servicing to keep Gerry fully occupied

At that point Gerry learned Mars Co. not only sold and serviced fire equipment, they also bought and sold sheep!

So Gerry became a Sheep Trader in addition to his fire equipment servicing responsibilities

Buying Sheep the Hard Way

Gerry explained he had to go into the desert to locate nomadic Bedouin with sheep for sale.

He then had to bargain to buy their sheep and that may take several days.

After the deal was done, Gerry was faced with herding the sheep back to Dubai.

Gerry did not have transport - 4WD vehicles were in short supply in 1950s Dubai. He had to walk itno the desert and out again.

He explained the soles of his feet became like leather then reach a state where the soles of his feet would peel, much like like removing the sole of a shoe.

Life was hard but Gerry was proud of his role as a Sheep Trader

Changing Jobs

Dubai Water Department had been formed in 1959.

Development of a new Domestic Water Distribution System following Eric Tulloch locating water resources in Al Awir offered Gerry a new role.

Gerry joined DWA with responsibility for organising connecting the new Water System to Customers' premises.

Last Time I met Gerry

I was entering Spinney's Supermarket on Jumeirah Beach Road as Gerry was leaving

I spoke to Gerry and we had a short conversation.

Gerry was in his late 80s by then. His eyesight was failing so he had a driver to take him where he wanted to go.

Gerry said he couldn't stand and chat because his driver was waiting and he had new water connections to arrange.

Len Chapman

A couple of years later, Gerry was suddenly taken ill at home

Gerry Wain died before help could arrive.