Acton's Industry
Acton
was one of the largest concentrations of industry, particularly automobile, in
the South of England
In the latter part of the 19th century, a
considerable number of small laundries opened serving the needs of the hotels and
the wealthy living in the West End. Heavy
industry came in the early 1900’s as companies expanded and relocated to the
outskirts of London
where there was space to develop, but with good transport links to raw
materials, customers and for the work force. The two key areas were Acton Vale,
and Park Royal. Acton was described in the
1920's as the "Motor Town" and reported by the Times in 1956 as
having one of the two largest concentrations of industry south of Birmingham. In 1932 the
motor industry employed 5,400 people, some 80% of the workers in the district.
The industrial areas of Acton Vale became
available at the turn of the century, and comprised parts of the common fields
which had initially been used for the making of bricks. The area was free of
the building restrictions imposed inside the London County Council area, and
therefore an attractive and economic site creating a cluster of large
developments including Napiers (engines and vehicles), Wilkinson Sword (swords,
razors, vehicles), CAV and Lucas (automobile components), Evershed and Vignoles
- (electrical test equipment), Du Cros (Cars) and Eastmans (Dye).
Ten years later, a further cluster of
industries developed at Park Royal in north Acton, serving the needs of companies at the
Vale, on the former site of the Royal Agricultural Society Show (1903-6). The
site was used as an airfield from 1909 until 1913. During the War, the site was
taken over as a munitions factory. Roads in the area commemorate some of the
cars manufactured in the area. Major manufacturers were Guinness (Beer) The
Rootes Group and Park Royal Vehicles (bus bodies), and many other automobile
component manufacturers. The former Acton Aerodrome, slightly to the south, was
also developed by companies that included the Alliance Aeroplane Company
(Aircraft) and Renault (Cars),
The heavy industry moved away from Acton during the 1950's
and 60's. Recent changes in shopping habits have caused a decline in the trade
of the town. Acton
is now changing, with media and lighter industry taking over from the heavy
industry. With easy access to Central London, Acton remains a popular place to live, with
new housing being built at many sites.
The
Napier works (built 1915). Napiers made cars, aircraft and marine engines in an
extensive factory in Acton Vale
D. Napier and Son
David Napier came to Soho, London in 1808 and was soon manufacturing a
range of innovative products. After moving to Lambeth in 1835, D Napier &
Sons was set up in 1848. The founder’s grandson M. S. Napier took over the firm
in 1895 and began experimenting with internal combustion engines and motor
carriages. Napier's cars were highly successful in various motor trials.
The firm moved to the Napier Motor Works
in Acton Vale in 1903, where the company manufactured a developing range of
engines and vehicles. The works had extended to cover 6 ½ acres by 1906 and was
employing 1,000 people making 200 cars per year together with motor boat
engines.
From the start of the war in 1914, the
company reduced its production of cars, and was manufacturing aircraft engines
under government contract including the “Lion” engine, which became the
company's main product line. The government contract required the construction
of a new concrete multi story building facing Acton Vale, shown above.
During the second world war, production
of aircraft engines was increased, but the Acton
factory was within range of bombing attacks and therefore a shadow factory was
opened in Liverpool. The company was taken
over by the English Electric Company in 1942, and then, became part of the GEC
group of companies. The Acton
sites continued to develop products, but the main production transferred to the
northern factories, and finally closed in 1965.
The
Du Cros Car factory in Warple Way,
another of the many car factories in Acton
Du Cros
The
company in Acton was founded by William Harvey du Cros (pronounced
dewcrow) who was of Hugenot descent. He was the founder and first and only
president of the Dunlop Rubber Co. He represented Hastings in the house of commons 1906-08, had
been chairman of the Royal Automobile Club.
In
1908, he set up a garage and repair works in Warple Way, Acton
(with an office in the Vale), which was described in the Acton Gazette during
1909 as the “Largest garage and motor repair works in the world”. The business
was managed by his sons, William and George du Cros. Above the main frontage to
Warple way, which is still in existence, is said to have been a large electric
clock which instead of numerals had 'W & G du Cros Ltd'. The extensive
premises covered most of the area bounded by Acton Vale, Larden and Valetta
Roads.
The
works were built to facilitate the operation and maintenance of a fleet of
taxi-cabs, and undertaking vehicle body building. A contemporary 1910
photograph shows an impressive line up of four cylinder 15 h.p. Napier taxis
owned by W & G du Cros outside the works with their immaculately and
uniformly dressed white-coated drivers. The 1000 strong taxi fleet, most of
which had Panhard & Lavasseur bodywork, and CAV ignition and lighting
systems, all from adjacent factories in Acton,
was renowned for its smart livery and uniformed drivers.
On the outside
of the factory is a foundation stone that appears to be inscribed “This stone
was laid on June 19th 1909 by Harvey du Cros esq. J.P. Founder of the pneumatic
tyre industry”.
From
operating fleets of taxis, the company expanded to the manufacture of chassis
and bodies for buses and lorries. As well as the manufacture of the vehicles,
there was a business operating a fleet of buses on private hire and a fleet of
a hundred or more lorries on a contract basis.
These
are very few vehicles of this make surviving - a 1927 Metropolitan Asylums
Board ambulance restored and in the care of the London Ambulance Service and
three trucks that were built in Acton
during 1924/5 that survive in Australia.
The
Vintage Lorry Annual No. 1, Nick Baldwin, ISBN 0906116074, Marshal, Harris and
Baldwin, 1979, has an extensive article on the family and business.
The
Eversholt electrical equipment factory, Acton Lane
Evershed and Vignoles
This company, founded in 1895 and moved
to Acton Green in 1903, manufactured electrical equipment, and in particular
the “megger” range of electrical testing apparatus. The product range developed
to include steering gear for the navy and aircraft instrumentation.
The Alliance
Aeroplane Factory, built during the First World War on the edge of Acton
Aerodrome in Park Royal. The site is now an industrial estate and leisure park!
Acton Aerodrome and the Alliance Aeroplane Company
In 1909, the pioneer aviator, Harold
Pifford was experimenting with flight from a field in North Acton, managing to
fly at a height of a couple of feet for about 100 yards in a bi-plane
constructed in his studio at Bedford Park. Unfortunately, the aircraft was
destroyed by a gale soon after its first flight and Pifford moved to Sussex to
continue his experiments.
A small airfield was set up in 1910 as
“The London Aviation Ground” on the triangle of land now bounded by Masons Green Lane, Saxon Drive and the
Western Avenue, Acton. Dixon and Long used this airfield on a
regular basis. Four sheds 40ft x 80ft of wood and corrugated iron were built to
house the aircraft. In May 1911, a fire took hold, destroying two of the sheds
and five monoplanes. The local fire brigade were able to save two bi-planes.
Undaunted by the setback, the airfield was enlarged, and twenty fireproof
hangers established.
In 1913, flying displays were given by G
T Lee and Claude Graham White. Public flying continued until the war, when the
site was taken over by the National Guard.
The Ruffy Arnell and Baumann Aviation Co.
moved from Hendon to the Acton
airfield in March 1917, and for two and a half years were busy training
military pupils posted to the school using twelve small Caudron G2 tractor
bi-planes. Initially aircraft and pupils were housed in tents, but a brick
hanger and workshop were constructed. Felix Ruffy was Italian, the Baumann
brothers were Swiss, and the instructors were of many nationalities. Training
ceased in 1918, when the Air Command gave notice of closure because the
training and facilities were inadequate.
In 1917, Ruffy-Baumann began to develop
aircraft. The Advanced trainer was a single seat bi-plane with a 60 h.p. Anzain
engine and the two seater had a 70 h.p. Renault engine, which was later to
become the Alliance P1. They were taken over in the summer of 1918 by the
Alliance Aeroplane Company formed by the furniture makers Waring and Gillow who
were already making tents at the White
City, and aircraft at
Cambridge Grove Hammersmith. To satisfy the need for aircraft for the war, a
substantial “Aircraft Erection Shed” was built on the site which is now just
south of the Western Avenue.
The massive roof struts, each weighing 20 tons, gave the factory a clear space
of 200ft x 153 ft. The facility was used to construct the DeHaviland DH9 and
DH10 aircraft, but the conclusion of the war reduced demand for their products.
Alliance
decided to produce civil aircraft, and J A Peters designed the Alliance P2
Seabird, a long distance aeroplane powered by a locally made Napier 450 h.p.
“Lion” engine. piloted by Peters, this aircraft won the Acton to Madrid Air Race in 1919. A similar
aircraft was prepared to fly to Australia
to compete in a competition, but it crashed whilst flying over Surbiton,
killing the crew. This failure took the heart out of the company, and it closed
in early 1920, when the last recorded flight of a Nieuport London aircraft took
place.
The factory was taken over in 1925 and
used until the mid 1930’s, by the car manufacturer Renault, who built another
factory along side, on the site still occupied by their extensive car
dealership. The building returned briefly to the production of aircraft in the
Second World War, manufacturing Avro Anson fuselages and wings for the
DeHaviland mosquito. The southern half of the building still remains (in use as
a store), as a tribute to Acton’s
pioneer aviators.
George
Lee Temple
Memorial in Acton Cemetery
to George Lee Temple, the first British Airman to fly upside down in the
country! A Frenchman M. Pegoud had
previously given an exhibition of
upside-down flying at Brooklands. More details of this event can be seen at:
http://www.worldwideschool.org/library/books/tech/engineering/TheMasteryoftheAir/chap44.html
George Lee Temple lived in Cumberland
Park, Acton
and was the son of Lieut. Commander George T Temple
R.N. (retired) F.R.G.S. and Philippa who was born in Norway. Temple
(senior) undertook surveys on the Coasts of Norway and Lapland
published in 1880. [ Voyage on the
Coasts of Norway and Lapland George T. Temple; Proceedings of the
Royal Geographical Society and Monthly Record of Geography, New Monthly Series,
Vol. 2, No. 5 (May, 1880), pp. 273-288 and Notes on Russian Lapland
George T. Temple; Proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society and
Monthly Record of Geography, New Monthly Series, Vol. 2, No. 10 (Oct., 1880),
pp. 593-602] He was in Constantinople in
1871 and was Deputy Dock-master in Wapping in 1881.
George T Temple has his memorial (on the side of his
son’s) and the inscription reads 'In loving memory of George Theodore Temple,
Lieut. Commdr. R.N., F.R.G.S. Born 24 October 1847, passed away 21 February
1935. "He too has passed."
“Templa quam dilecta.” ' ("How beautiful are thy
temples")
Philippa died in May 1924. Her memorial (on the side
of her son’s) reads - 'In ever loving memory of Philippa Desiree Temple,
"Little Philine", the dearly-loved wife of George Theodore Temple.
Born 8 Nov. 1853, passed away from us 30 April 1924. A devoted wife and mother.
Unselfish, true and tender to the last. At rest in the haven where she would
be. "Death is not death, for Christ has conquered death."
More information on George Lee Temple can be found
at:
www.cjbalm.com/auto-aero/aitem163.htm
www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=11424360
Compton Organs
Compton’s manufactured Cinema and church organs at a factory in North Acton. The organs built for cinemas were
elaborately decorated, and often fitted on lifts so that the organ console
could rise from the floor.
Park
Royal Show
In 1900, The Royal Agricultural Society
decided to develop a permanent site for their Annual Show. One Thousand Acres
at Twyford Abbey were leased, and a n operating company "Park Royal
Ltd." set up to run it. The name was given because the RAS had a Royal
patron, and the name has stuck ever since.
The site comprised show rings and stands,
the GWR built a special station, and the "Plumes" public house was
built.
The first show was in June 1903, but they
ware not a great success, so after the 1905 show, the land was sold. The
grounds were used for other events, and QPR football club played there until
after the First World War. During the war, the grounds were used by the
government as a depot and munitions works.
The only remaining element of the Park
Royal Showground is the former "Plumes" public house.
Industry developed on the former site of
the Royal Agricultural Society Show to the north of Acton. Intended to be a permanent site, it
was not a great success and was only used from 1903 - 1906 when the Society
decided to remove to more rural Stoneleigh. The site was used as an airfield
from 1909. Claude Graham White was giving public displays and began his attempt
to win an air race to Manchester
from there in April 1910. Flying continued until 1913, and during the War, the
site was taken over as a munitions factory.
Roads in the area commemorate some of the
marques of car manufactured in the area - Minerva, Standard and Sunbeam.
The Rootes Group developed from a small
cycle shop in Kent to one of
the biggest motor manufacturing companies in Britain. By 1926 they had showrooms
in the West End, and soon had acquired other branches in Britain and Europe.
With a view to development, they acquired the Hillman Car Co., and Humber Ltd.
Their success was due to rationalisation of production, and they expanded,
acquiring Karrier Motors in 1935, Clement Talbot in 1937, then British Light
Steel Pressings, and in 1938 the Sunbeam Motor Co. By 1939 the Rootes Group
were one of Britain's
biggest car manufacturers. At the outbreak of the Second World War, the Rootes
factories were turned over to the manufacture of military vehicles.
Wilkinson Sword
Henry Knock, an expert gunmaker opened
premises in Ludgate Hill in 1772. The business passed to his son-in-law James
Wilkinson and subsequently to his son Henry. The business continued to develop
firearms, but in the mid 19th century, Henry introduced the production of
swords and developed a machine for testing the blades. The test, still used
today, gained The Wilkinson Sword Company a reputation for quality. In 1898,
the company introduced the manufacture of the ‘Pall Mall’
safety razor. By 1900, the production of firearms had ceased as government
factories had taken the main business.
The Company moved from Chelsea to the Oakley works, Southfield Road, Acton
in 1903, to provide for the increased demand for it’s traditional products of
swords and razors. The new works had a rail connection to ease the delivery of
steel and the 5ft carborundum wheels used to grind the sword blades. The
company further diversified into the manufacture of typewriters, bicycles, motor
cycles and motor cars (the Deemster) and tractors. A large area, sold to the
council in 1908 to form the Southfield
recreation ground, was used by the company for trials of its tractors. As with
most non-specialist transport manufacturers, production of vehicles ceased
within a few years and the company reverted to its more traditional products,
introducing gardening tools to its range in the 1920’s. The company was still
manufacturing its traditional swords at a works in East
Acton until 2005.
The
Engineers House at Acton Sewage Works (1887) one of the proud achievements of
the Acton Local Board
Acton Sewage Works
Until 1965 Acton Local Authority was
responsible for dealing with the sewage of the district. At first, the Stamford
Brook originally took most of this drainage and sewage, conveying it via
Hammersmith to the Thames, but after 1855 it went into the Metropolitan Board
of Works grand scheme for the drainage of London.
It was decided, however, that all houses
built in Acton
after 1881 must have a separate system, and so in 1887 the Sewage Pumping
station was built on 5½ acres of land in Warple Way. It was designed by Acton's surveyor,
C. Nicholson Lailey. The waste was treated, the effluent going into the Thames at Chiswick. Storm water and pre 1881 house
drainage continued to go through the Metropolitan Board of Works system, to the
works at Beckton.
This unusual arrangement was resolved in
1905 with a scheme prepared by Sir Alex Binnie. The normal flow of the sewers
passed to the London County Council system at the expense of Acton,
but Storm Water was filtered at the Acton Pumping Station passed into the Thames at Chiswick. The scheme is essentially still in
use today, but in 1979 the works were converted to Storm Tanks to avoid
unnecessary discharge in the Thames.
Acton's Nature
Whilst
Acton is in the industrial suburbs of London there is still a
great deal of wildlife living there, including foxes, and more recently green
parakeets
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