Coventry Gauge & Tool / TI Matrix etc.

My granddad is in this photo, back right, Harold Harper.

Does anyone recall and incident in the mid 1960s regarding a trip to Manchester, in which, I believe 3 lads from the company were killed when the coach in which they were travelling broke down on the Manchester viaduct? Apparently, it was dangerously foggy and the lads jumped over the wall to take a field break, not realizing that they were on the viaduct and fell to their deaths. I do recall the name of one of the lads, however, I do not wish to name him in case there are still relatives on this site. I am curious if anyone knows more about this incident.

I failed to mention that the lads worked at CG&T Co., at the time.

Hi, I was there from 1969 until about 1976. I completed my apprenticeship and then moved into Inspection under Alan Lockhart.

Hello. I'm disappointed there are so few posts on this topic. I was a student apprentice from 1961-1966, studying at the Lanchester and working in various departments between college terms. After graduating I worked in the Design Office under Ray Palmer. But in 1970-1972 they sent me to UMIST to study again for an M.Sc. Fortunately for me but unfortunately for them I met my wife "up north" so I left soon afterwards. Ray was very understanding, as was the company for which I was very grateful. I see Matrix is still going in a smaller place still near Fletchamstead and wish them well.

Hi Chris, they were on an apprentice trip to Blackpool for the weekend, lost one of my mates at the age of 17 that fateful day. I only know of one who died. I also knew his dad really well from my junior football days.

Hello. Not sure that this will be much help but I was an apprentice from 1954 and finished my service in a workshop attached to the Chromatix dept. making jigs and fixtures to assist the precise Hard Chromium plating mainly of screw gauges. Was later promoted to Foreman of the Plating dept. during which time I was tasked with the job of installing a Chromatrix plating plant behind the Curtain in East Germany. Some time later I left the Company along with another staff member to form Chrome Precision (Coventry) laterley of Bayton Road Exhall. Prematurely my partner passed away & I was fortunate to sell just prior to the economy downturn of the late seventies.

Hi Stpauls, I wonder if you came across my step grandad Eric Wilson. He was there from probably the forties or earlier and left in the early 60's when he and my Nan moved to Highcliff and he went to work at a place in Poole which I think was part of the same group. They must have been precision engineers as I remember on one of their visits back to Coventry I sat in the car outside a unit on the Fletchamstead Highway while he fetched some industrial diamonds which he showed me later. If you saw him you would have remembered him as he had a large moustache (grown, I believe, after he had facial injuries coming off his motorbike in the 1930's). Before your time but Eric's dad, my mum and dad, all worked at the gauge at one time.

Hello. Not sure whether this is of any help as I began my time on the drawing board early 1954 (I think ?) when the App.Training School was then part of the Matrix hall up the highway and in the charge of Mr. Langley with Mr.Pendleton Foreman. This later moved to an upper floor of the main factory down the highway, again under the same staff control. Most of this early period I spent in the Machine Tool Fitting section under the watchful eye of dear old Bert Burrows, a skilled fitter nearing retirement. After moving down on to the main shop floor the names of those in charge that I can recall (70 yrs. later) that might be of use to others are: Turning, Kendrick - Satchwell, Machine Repairs - Pedley-Francis, Heat Treatment - Cyril Fleming who later became head of all treatment Heating-Polishing and all Chemical Plating just around the time I got promotion to Plating Shop foreman having spent some time making jigs and fixtures needed in the plating process. Other workmate names that have since sprung to mind - Bill Gilbert (car share) Cliff Thomas, Tony Samson, Pete Scragg, Alec Ward (milling) Neil Howes (Chem.Lab.)and Paul Henderson who rose to high management. What a great Company to work for.- Own surgery, Barbers shop (in works time!) up the road at the Matrix Hall - Dining hall - Social Club with Bar- Snooker Table - Darts Boards. Outside - Large car-park, partly covered for Bikes & Motorbikes - Tennis court and Cricket & Football Sports field. I ask you, have workplaces really progressed from that ??? I suppose you would have to ask the ROBOTS !!