Jack Kearton – Jigmaker

Jack Kearton, a jigmaker in 12A Shop, Canley, came to Coventry from South Wales in the 1920s. He found work as a machinist and then worked on testing Dolomites at the old Triumph works for eight years. He did not join Standard Triumph, however, until during the last war.

Continue reading “Jack Kearton – Jigmaker”

Shadow Factory

Cutting the first sod of ground on the company golf course. Dated 1936.

John Black can be seen with the spade and members of Garlick’s, the Coventry building firm, can be seen in the photo (assuming on the right).
On the second left looks like Leslie Dexter (1897-1937) and 4th from left, Sales Manager (from 1931) and Sales Director (from 1945) Edward (Ted) Martin.

Garlicks – the oldest building contractor in Coventry, which started in 1834. Responsible for many of Coventry’s iconic buildings including those for Standard Triumph and here for the Banner Lane shadow factory, later to become Massey Fergusson.

Links:
R.B Cole General Manager of the Standard shadow factories
Banner Lane – Massey Ferguson

Sir John Black’s Car Accident

November 3rd, 1953 at Banner Lane. Sir John Black and Ken Richardson were testing the Swallow Doretti Prototype (Registration 623E). Suddenly a Works van, came out of a turning unexpectedly. Ken swerved the car to avoid killing them both in a headlong collision. Continue reading “Sir John Black’s Car Accident”