Morris Engines, Courthouse Green

Re Fred Deakin, when I was a lad working on 'The Track` in the early sixties, (Wal Blower era) I seem to remember a story. A chap who worked with us used to bring me (and others) a bottle of Fanta (6d) from his wifes shop in the afternoon. One day he didn't come back and we found out later that he had lost a lot of money, (xmas club?) and gassed himself with worry poor chap. Could this have been Fred?. Also washing our hands in Suds Oil then eating our sandwiches with that wonderful aroma!!.

Hello Ray and thanks for the reply. Regarding the Fred Deakin story, I reckon you have the right man. His wife had a chip shop in Nicholls Street near the football ground. So he would have access to the Fanta at a good price. I think his wife's sister (a RUSSELL) had a chip shop by Spon End Arches. Sorry if this is straying off topic but Fred did work at the Morris. The suds soaked sandwiches sound lovely, it must have made them slide down easier ?

Does anyone recognise themselves?

Hello Heathrite the faces are familiar but the background dosent look like Morris engines at courthouse green so where was it take and when was it taken if you can tell me I might be able to give you some names. All best Les

Hi Les. That is definitely Morris Engines Courthouse Green. No question. That is my father 'Jack' Jones with the image of the single gent with him, my father is on the left. It was probably taken in around 1978. My father would have been in his mid fifties then. And that is what he looks, although I'm not brilliant at ages. I have no idea who the others were, he never talked about work or much else come to that. That is one of the reasons for posting. I would have liked others to identify themselves. Does this help?

Hello Heathrite spot on that's big Jack ok but something isn't quite right I r recognise some of them but can't put a name to them It's the background that bothers me and makes me query the location for instance a chest of drawers empty racking. Large pieces of plywood hanging acting as a wall or divider from the rest of the area this isn't part of the main factory safety people would have been on it in a flash It may be R block which is a spares packing dept away from the main production area I don't know why big Jack should be there he's a production man they may well be doing a rectification job using R block Or even No2 works. At Durbar Ave I do hope lots of people look at your photos and give you names of the rest of the lads which hopefully will create lots of reaction nice. Best, Les

Hello Les. As I said previously, I am 100% sure that is Courthouse. But . . just to try and settle it I'll ask my mum if she knew of any time that my father had to do a stint at Durbar Avenue. You never know. It would be good if others could add their knowledge to the conundrum. I never heard of a time that my father worked outside Courthouse Green. He wasn't adventurous at all and I doubt he would volunteeer for something like that. Others may prove me wrong. By the way, I do know a chap named Lesley Badger, he worked at Durbar Ave, only I met him at a hotel I worked in. He was the 'pot-wash' at the hotel and he was 80 when he retired (forcibly). Small world scenario going on here. Does anyone remember him? Heathite

Are there any photos of the Austin Morris plant on Durbar Avenue?

If such industries had kept going the state of technology in Britain would have been ,perhaps, more advanced!So much sweat and toil!

My Dad was Eric Cooper, he worked at the Morris at Courthouse Green in the tool room (Mick Connolly was his apprentice). I can also remember the kid's parties in the canteen, and also spending many Friday and Saturday nights in the club, I remember playing football in the dark - Roy Pontecraft (I think his Dad was on the committee). My Mum (Iris) and Dad, always, always sat in the side room off from the main ballroom, I think it was either called the snug or the blue room (maybe both). Friends of theirs would be there also, George and Lyn Smith, Arthur and Brenda Williams (I think Brenda worked in the wages dept?) Dad was also secretary of the football team for a while, and I can remember going to watch the 1st team playing in the old works league, and C & N W league, some players - Billy Wale, Graham Bloxham. I can remember more about the very successful bowls team, that pretty much made up half of the 24 players required for the county team. Fred Pratt, Eric Orton, Eric Dodd, Frank Fletcher, Harry Lucas, Vas Cook, Joe Hinds, Brian Ward, Jack Gibson, Jimmy Biddle, Harry Cox, Eric Cooper (Dad). Ferdinand Montes, and Ernie Rafferty both played latterly, both were also football referees. I also played for the Morris Bowls Club, when other stars of the game were now playing, Dave Rawlins, Roland Pratt, Dave Burdett, Pete Varney. I remember Paul Sedgewick, Tony Smith and of course Harry Barratt from earlier posts, all of whom played bowls. Norman Dewis, Bob Dewis, John Neal. So does anyone remember my Dad, or the era when he was there.

Hello Coops I don't know your dad but I do know the majority of the others happy days I could tell a tale about most of them but I would need a book to do it. Mick Connolly used to live in Sullivan Road and lol played cricket for the Morris from time to time the little side room at the club was for the posh people we always sat in the main clubhouse as regards the bowling team I've got some photos somewhere I will look the out and put them up also Ernie Rafferty the ref my son Steve Beard electrician worked with him I also knew his brother Reg I won't go on cos I won't know when to stop I was there from 1952 till it closed in 1982 so stay tuned I will do my best to find some photos. All best, Les

Hi Les, nice chat earlier. My dad was Joe Moore, little Irish chap. He worked at the Morris for 22yrs. I played in the club with the Bakerloo Line, also the Las Vegas showband and Calvary. Some great nights we've had. My dad was a good footballer, played for Morris, Cov road and Saunders hall. I remember Dave Shaw, Babs Hartwell, Dave Wilson, John Baker. Does anybody remember my dad. Thanks Les, Kevin.

Hi Kevin wow that was a fast response like it lets hope you get some reaction if you can tell me when your dad started and finished approx will do I will delve amongst my literature to see if I can find any photos that may be of interest ie football. Or even what dept he worked in All the best, Les

The next part of my time at the Morris was spent as a grinder on the crankshafts,a few names from that time are Paul Hepworth, Earling Mansson, Terry Jones, Dennis Parker, Tommy Cooper, Bill Dudley, Harry Driver, Dennis Matthews, Bob Twigger, Andy Stubbs, Ben Chattaway, John Boddington, Frank Skinner, Norman Osbourne, Paddy Jennings, Stuart Halfacree, Reg Birch, Cliff Payne, Matt Butler, Bill (the oiler) Williams and the irrepressible Cyril (Claude) Cunnington, sorry if I've missed anybody out.

Hi Mowog if you look on page 9 you will see a photo of the crank section Dudleys and Tommy Coopers office and Ron Greens office in the background looks a bit untidy cos the demo men have been in All best, Les