Coventry Ordnance Works

Hi, I have just found out from 1911 Census that my great grandfather Walter Ernest Cramp worked as a clerk in the Time Office at the Ordnance Works. His sister Gladys also worked there as an examiner. He went on to join the Worcester Regiment 14th Battalion and died of wounds in 1917 in France and is buried at Etaples War Cemetery in France. Gladys went on to marry in 1911 but don't know who to. Could anyone tell me what their jobs would have entailed while working there. Thanks, Paul

Big guns being made in Coventry

Coventry ordnance factory

WOW. This is fantastic, what a size. Makes me wonder how they got it out and to the ship builders.

I can't help with what Walter Cramp did at the Ordnance Works but I see that Ethel Gladys Cramp married in the 3Q of 1911, possible spouses being a William E Bennett or an Albert Janes. As an Ernest Bennett is listed as a boarder with the Cramps in 1911, I suspect he may the spouse but don't take my word for it!

Yes, it was Bennett - Ethel G Bennett died in Jun 1/4 1958 aged 74

I have just found a reference to Coventry Ordnance Works - I have a few questions Coventry experts might be able to answer! 1) Was it working in World War II? 2) What activity was there in World War II? 3) The same reference mentions 'Gun Quenching Pits' - what were they for?

As no one else wants to answer your query I will do my best although I have never worked in a factory. I was a soldier. Yes it was working during the war. I think that the factory was owned by Cammell Laird. Its main production was naval guns although they did make smaller guns. Quenching is hardening or tempering of metal by submersing red hot metal into a bath of water or oil. Quenching pits are also known as bosh tanks or pits. Rifling and most other work on the guns had to be done before quenching while the metal is soft. I wonder if anyone knows how the rifling is cut into small guns even as small as air guns.

LesMac. It isn't a case of not wanting to reply, I personally know nothing about the place. I thought rifling was done by broaching, but being spiralled maybe not. I am sure there are engineers on here that can answer this and I would be interested to know the answer

The works opened in 1900 and was expanded considerably during the First World War, manufacturing tanks, aeroplanes and naval guns. The works closed in the 1920s and later became a gunnery depot for the Royal Navy until it closed in the 1970s. This web site Grace's Guide has more info, pictures and site maps. The Imperial War Museum website also has some rather good photos and recordings of interviews with some of the workers Although many of the buildings have since been demolished the massive Naval Gun Shop survives measuring 283m long and 60m wide. When it was built in 1906 it was the largest industrial building in Europe and is one of Coventry's last surviving iconic industrial buildings and it is likely to be the only building of its kind in Britain. It would make the site for a great Industrial museum but will, alas, probably be neglected and be eventually demolished

Thank you for replies and sorry NormK didn't intend to offend. Just thought that that someone on the forum would know the answer bearing in mind the rich industrial heritage of this city and the knowledge of forum members. 1985 I was sent to Parker Hale in Birmingham to prepare a report on a new .308 rifle that was being developed. Never been in a gun factory before and it was certainly an eye opener. Rifling on small weapons was done by broaching four grooves the length of the bore, the barrel being slight longer than the finished barrel, then warmed up and a machine twisted the whole barrel that was later machined to length and straightened. As for naval guns, I have no idea.

The assembly of aircraft at the Ordnance Works in 1917. The plane is a type R.E.8.

A short clip of aeroplanes under construction, presumably in Coventry, with rousing soundtrack. Can anyone identify the bomber?

I think the clip description is wrong - looks like one of these flying over its home town (yes that's Warwick Road Goods Yard below) If I am right I'm fairly sure there is not a single complete example of these planes left anywhere in the world

Yes, it's a Whitley Bomber. They were made in versions with in-line and radial engines.