G.R.M Stoddart joined the Co-operative on leaving school in 1936. His ambition, encouraged by his father who struggled during the depression, was to join the retail sector. After successfully completing his employment interview he recieved his appointment within the Greengrocery department in Northampton (1936-1947). It was here that he was called up to military service during the Second World War (1941-1946).
In September 1947, Stoddart transferred to the Grocery and Display Department in Shrubbery House, London (1947-1958) where he undertook the position of Provision Leading Assistant. It was here also, that he completed two years of Co-operative Union Evening Classes at the Distributive Trades College in Charring Cross Road. The subject matter, for which he gained First Class in both years, was that of Display - Principles and Practice. He would go onto tutor these evening classes for four years. Moreover, it was here that Stoddart represented the Co-operative at playing cricket, something he would do for his entire 11 years in London.
In November 1958, Stoddart moved to Cambridge where he would work in a number of stores at both Assistant Manager and Store Manager levels (1958-1983). Here he had a "large display studio, with the most up to date equipment"; something that would make him the "envy of all the shops in the town".
In 1983, he retired on medical advice with the cause of his condition being knee replacement - due to the many years of cricket.
From the guide to the Papers of George R. Mack. Stoddart (Northampton, London and Cambridge Societies), 1950-2013, (National Co-operative Archive)
