Alarm Clock Rouses Oldest Knocker -Up

Alarm Clock Rouses Oldest Knocker -Up, The introduction of cheap alarm clocks threatened Mr William Crompton of Bolton. He is the oldest of the knocker-ups who wake factory workers every morning. Alarm clocks put most of the knocker-ups out of business but Mr Crompton, now seventy two, survived the challenge, and still carries on after fifty three years. Strangely enough Mr Crompton is himself awakened by an alarm clock. He rises at 3:45 am and charges from fourpence to sixpence a week, according to time he calls his customers. - Mr Crompton, the oldest knocker-up, at work in Bolton, Bolton. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)