Hi Thanks for the reply. The photograph seems to have been set up in the order that the work was done. The first two men carry a pick and a shovel, so I assume they are doing pretty basic preparation work. The next 4 have the item that I can't identify, I can't imagine that they would need 4 men to measure things. The last three are the tampers, and the man with the broom to clean up regards Bob Smith From: JJupar@aol.com [mailto:JJupar@aol.com] Sent: 28 July 2012 19:10 To: bobonline@ntlworld.com; YORKSGEN@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [YORKSGEN] Road building tools In a message dated 28/07/2012 16:30:26 GMT Daylight Time, bobonline@ntlworld.com writes: Hi Spotted this photograph showing a gang of labourers laying paving blocks in the 1930s Can anyone identify what the tools are that are being held like sub-machine guns? regards Bob Smith http://www.flickr.com/photos/rpsmithbarney/4323589001/in/photostream/ Hi, I am almost sure that they are laying stone cobbles on a dirt road. I think the two tools of the first to men are measuring them and the third and fourth men have tampers-down tools, whilst the rest are carrying the Tools we know today. The only man I do not think I can identify is the third from the right. Could he be checking how much they were using of possibly be in charge of them. I hope this helpful to you. JUDY ELKINGTON [North Derbyshire] www.elkingtonfamily.com <http://www.elkingtonfamily.com/> Elkington@rootsweb.com www.one-name.org/profiles/elkington.html