Morris Engines, Courthouse Green

I worked at the Morris Engines plant in Courthouse Green for a number of years during the mid 70's. I was in "J" Block, working as a miller/grinder. Gaffer was Gordon Drakeford. Anyone know him?

Hello, my late step father worked there, his name was Tony Stokes. Just thought I would let you know. Peter.

Don't recall the name Peter, but thanks for response

My dad worked there. His name was Bryan Marston although most people knew him as Bob. First post so hello everyone.

We had a number of family friends from there from my Dad's time in the fifties and sixties - Eddy Mayo, Vic o'Brien, Ted Dinan and richard Case are names I remember. My dad was Arthur Whittle.

As electrical contractors, we used to go into the factory over the summer shutdown in the 60's to do essential maintenance and some installation work. We were always getting told off by the Maintenance Electricians for working too quickly!

I worked at the Morris in 1968 onwards, worked in J block, foreman was Jack Johnson, my dad worked there too, he was a components inspector, Harry Strong, I worked on the reverse coupling sleeves, I remember a chap called Ivor Lewis and a chap called Reg Clay, both good footballers, Reg was a goalie and I believe Ivor played for the Coventry City.

I never worked there, but my uncle, Tom Carter did, 1950/60s. I think he worked on the gold seal engines.

I never expected to come across Ted Dinan's name on the web. A very kind and considerate man he was the Apprentice Supervisor at Courthouse Green in 1959. I'm sure that his name is on my indentures. When he retired he was replaced by Denis Wells who I had worked with at Nuffield Tools and Gauges in Mile Lane at Cheylesmore. The 'Nuff' was the main specialist toolroom for the BMC. We produced many of the jigs and fixtures for the first Range Rover and did all the machining for the Mini Cooper engines which had the rally success in the 1960s. A good place to learn your trade. Regards

Heritage, how nice to hear that you knew him. Although not a close friend of my Father, he visited our house a few times. I remember him as being short, and as you say, an agreeable bloke. My Dad also worked at Cheylemore, developing "upsetters", which you will no doubt know were forging machines for valve production.

Many memories of Courthouse Green, although after I finished my time I moved to the 'Nuff'. Basil Heatley is mentioned in other parts of this site. In the early part of the 60s, at the height of his running achievements he was the groundsman at the Morris. In case people had forgotten he had recorded the world's fastest marathon, 10 mile world record as well as the silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics. A boyhood hero he is now a friend, another nice and modest man. It was a toss up at Morris Engines which was the dirtiest part, the foundry or the cast iron machining shop. A regular task in the Apprentice School was sectioning the various engine types to show the working parts, quite an enjoyable job. For two years we entered floats in the Coventry Carnival. 'Morris Injuns' which speaks for itself was followed by 'We've made a million Miners and now we're making Mini Miners' which had everyone in nappies with miners helmets and coal dust.

My mum used to work in the offices as a secretary when the Morris Minor was first produced.

My name is Geoff Cooke. I worked at Courthouse Green from 1965 to 1974. My Dad, Uncle, cousin and brother all worked there! My Dad Jim Cooke worked on the camshaft grinding for almost 40 years. I myself, was on 'the tracks', the engine assembly line, mostly on 'C' type 6 cylinder. My first chargehand was "The Bomber" Bill Lancaster, followed by John French, ex Guardsman Tony Adams and Tom Jones. I remember the Convener's name was Gordon Lee. Have loads more names if anyone is interested

Hi My name is Nat Thakor and i used to work at the Morris from 1968 to 1980. I worked in the J Block and later moved into the offices, welfare department with Harry Barrat. Does anyone know of him or me? Soon after I moved to the Main Office Block, production and material control with Albert Shufflebottom. I knew Bill Lancaster and John French, Tom Jones and even Gordon Lee. Please contact me if you know me or can can remember me or anyone else. I was known as the Little Indian Boy at that time. I was 17 now 57. Regards, Nat Thakor

Two more long lost images, both from Morris Engines in the early 1960s. Both are floats for Coventry Carnival but quality could be better. Yours truly is on both. Morris Injuns is followed by Mini Minors.