 Working at North Works pre-war, we experienced "blacking" at the mercy of our peers. Lets not mention the parts blacked or blued with Prussian Blue, suffice it to say that on Shrove Tuesday morning, the apprentices were the worst dressed people on the plant; still, sacrifices had to be made to tradition, and you could always get your own back in later years. Methylated Spirit used to remove the Blue, but at some discomfort.  The tradition continued well into the war years, but does it survive to this day? I don`t know.  There were other traditional ceremonies within the workplace which did not survive the war years, particularly associated with a forthcoming marriage - really not for the Forum.  To be late for work generally meant being "hammered in" as you made your way to your workplace, with the productiion of tank brake drums, this became a very noisy affair. Incidentally, "hammering in" formed an essential part of the marriage ritual.!!!  How many readers had to climb the ladder? are there any left to tell the tale?  