*Peter Slane Obituary (Wednesday 25/09/1968)
Mr Slane
Was a
‘chapper-up’
One of the last men of a by-gone era in Dundee died yesterday.
Mr Peter Slane, who for 20 years was one of Dundee’s “chappers”, had been ill for some time. He was 70.
As a “chapper-up” Mr Slane toured the Mid Craigie and Linlathen area of the city giving residents an early morning call.
At the peak of his “knocking” career he had about 300 customers and employed several of his staff, including five of his seven family. They each had shifts, starting at various times in the morning.
Mr Slane, who also worked in a Dundee Mill at the time, rose at 3.30am-by setting an alarm clock on a tray.
Then he went out with his chapping stick-18 inches of hardwood with a knob on each end.
At regular intervals he would return home and “knock-up” his family so that they could go out on their respected shifts.
4d a week
For his service Mr Slane charged 4d a week, rising to 1s per week when he finally gave up the business in 1958.
Latterly he worked with Veeder-Root, Ltd., as a cleaning operator before retiring five years ago.
Mr Slane lived for most of his live in the Mid Craigie area, but for the last eight months stayed with his daughter. Mrs Elizabeth Henry, at 51 Beauly Crescent, Kirkton.
He is survived by his wife and seven of his family.
