Morris Engines, Courthouse Green

Hi Les, and anybody from "the Morris". Always I remember the people that I met and worked with there over the years, as an ex-apprentice I worked on most all departments. Then as a toolsetter covered quite a few.... valve guides, tappets, valves, gear cutting, con-rods etc. When I got promoted to foreman covered most of A block and valve shop including press shop at Durbar Ave, a place not mentioned much but was needed nevertheless for new parts as well as recon engines and gearboxes (Gold Seal units). Difficult to remember all the names though, at its peak there must have been over 2,500 employees (and I'm retired so the memory must be failing a bit now!). Some names at random; Tommy Cooper, Barry Kendall, Chris Withey, Roy Hancock, Harold Kerry, Ken Nicholls, Roy Smart, Nick James, Jack and Vernon Lowe, Eddie Goll, Eddie French, Gary Marsden. Come on guys, there must be a few more "silver surfers" out there! More memories still to come of the apprentices over carnival years - Morris Countrymen and Austin Gypsies stir anything? Take care, remember life is not a rehearsal. Bob Hewitt

Hello Bob Yes I know all the people you mentioned, I'm working on more info and photos plus memories that should stir a few people up, I hope. The problem is, I still live in the Morris world and think nothing has changed and all these people are still around to read this stuff and I feel a bit let down when I don't get a response, then I think "Hey I'm 77 next, there's probably a heck of a lot no longer with us". Anyway stay tuned in the New Year All the best, Les

Thanks mate. I have showed my Dad the ones so far especially the A block Blackberry Lane entrance.

Sorry Deannottz, I haven't forgotten you, I've been so busy over xmas period - stay tuned I will get there Happy new year

Thanks once again. Do you remember my dad who worked in the Progress Dept? ps: Happy 2014 to you too.

Hi Les This is probably a long shot but my wife`s grandfather worked at the Morris all his working life - his name was Jim Bailey. We don`t know what part he worked in but he did get his gold watch for his 50 years service and he lived at Dunchurch. I know it`s not much to go on but if by some miracle you could throw some light on this it would be great, as Jim was an utter gentleman. There`s also a friend of mine called John Bownes who worked nights, he was a gear cutter and was there till it closed. Unfortunately I`ve only seen him at funerals of late - I suppose this is what comes with age

Hello Mickw, nope don't recognise either name, mind you there was over 3,500 people working there. I knew the gear cutting section well but there was a contant changeover on the nighshift so names were always changing but hopefully I will be putting photos on of most depts during demo with a caption explaining the shot so at least your wife will be able see the gear cutting dept where her grandad worked. Stay tuned. LES

Hello Mickw I was reading through a 1956 teamwork magazine which is Morris engines monthly mag and I came across a photo of the men on the gear cutting section on a days outing when I do finally get sorted I will put it on perhaps your wife might be able pick him out stay tuned

Would anyone have any information about Oswin George Varney, coming to the end of his woring life in the late 50s early sixties (at a caslculated guess), please? I asume in was in management (at the Morris). He probably lived in the Leamington area? Sorry it is so vague!

Oswin George Varney is an unusual combination of names so is easily found using findmypast: he passed away in 1984. He was born in 1895 in Leamington and married Nellie Steel in 1918. He had a son Kenneth Oswin, born in 1922 who may still live in Leamington..

I've had this BMC price list for a long time - 1967. From when I was thinking of buying a new car through the firm's discount scheme. Does anyone remember the car shows held (infrequently) held in the works canteen at Morris Engines.

I am trying to solve a mystery which seems to have arisen out of Morris Engines at Coventry back in 1959/1960 and I wonder if anyone can shed any light on it. I believe all MG / BMC B series engines in the MGA (1955-1962) came from Coventry and were sent to Abingdon. This included the ill fated MGA Twin Cam engine which was developed at Coventry. I wonder if anyone recollects working on the further development of that engine in 1959, Whilst the work rectifying its fault (burnt pistons) was seemingly done at the Development Department at Abingdon by Jim Cox a 1,762cc version was developed for Ted Lund to run in the 1960 Le Mans. It had always been assumed that such engine was developed at Abingdon but neither Jim Cox nor Don Hayter, who designed the MGB and the MGA 1960 Le Mans car, know anything about it. It's pistons have what appears to be a Morris Engine part number and have MOWOG stamped on them. Subsequently Bob Olthoff, who worked at Abingdon, used it and kits were sent to the BMC dealers in South Africa. I wonder if anyone has any recollection of that development or who might have worked on it?

Hi Les, my name is Brian Henderson and have just discovered this link with morris engines and boy has it brought back some memories ! I served my apprenticeship at courthouse green and Nuffield tool and gauge from 1964 to 1969. When I finished my apprenticeship I worked in the tool room as a universal miller until the factory closed in 1982. A few names that come to mind are Ted Dinan and Dennis Wells both apprentice supervisors, then in the tool room, Doug Elson, Harry Charlton, Dennis Frith, Dereck Smith, Bob Allsop, Bob Brolly, Tony Parsons, Gorden Colley come to mind. Could reel off a few more but could get a bit boring to some. Really liked looking at your photo's brought the place back to life. I can also remember the trains that used to rumble along the side of the plant carrying Rootes cars. Remember also taking our young daughters to the Christmas parties in the club house, great times. Alas times change and the area is now sainsbury's which now gets visited weekly for our shopping, but to me the area will always be remembered as the MORRIS. Would love to see more pic's of the old place.

Hello & welcome to you Binkey11 & welcome to you mukki3332 Thank you for your posts.

This is a photo of the Morris Engines toolroom inter-departmental football team, dated around the early 1970's. We managed to win which made a change! Might be of interest to some lads who worked there during that time.