Richard Dimbleby recently visited the Standard factories in connection with his “Down your Way” programme. Continue reading “Richard Dimbleby Visit”
Drawing Office Library – Recognise Anyone?
These great photos have been sent through by Dave Wagner, showing his Dad (in the glasses) making a presentation (probably to a worker who was leaving). He worked there from the mid sixties until he retired 1977. We’ve enlarged the faces from the first photo to see if you can recognise anyone.
Continue reading “Drawing Office Library – Recognise Anyone?”
Arthur Hutt VC
A new entry has spurred some extra research. This was submitted:
“My Uncle Arthur Hutt who won the VC worked In The Stores There a long Time Ago”
So, this is what we found out:
He was 28 years old, and a private in the 1/7th Battalion of The Royal Warwickshire Regiment, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place at the battle of Passchendaele for which he was awarded the VC.
George Wheatley – Chairman Standard British Legion
MR M WHITFIELD, Director and General Manager of The Standard Motor Co. Ltd., on retiring from the Chairmanship of the Standard Motors Branch British Legion, which he has held for the past five years, is succeeded by Mr. George Wheatley, who is himself a life member of the British Legion, and Mr. Bernard Grady as his Vice-Chairman. Continue reading “George Wheatley – Chairman Standard British Legion”
Sir John Black (Obituary)
Black, Sir John Paul (1895–1965), motor vehicle manufacturer, was born on 10 February 1895 at Kingston upon Thames. Black was educated locally and studied law, which brought out an aptitude for clear-cut decisions that was further developed in the First World War, during which he attained the rank of captain. In 1919 Black was recruited by the Hillman motor car marque in Coventry. He soon became joint managing director, with Spencer Wilks. Their success led to Hillman’s being taken over by Rootes Ltd, a move which prompted both to resign in 1929.
Black joined the Standard Motor Company the same year, at the invitation of its founder, Reginald Maudslay. The marque was in dire financial straits and Black, who became general manager in 1930, set about restoring the company’s fortunes. He ended the costly in-house manufacture of components and started to introduce mass production techniques. Black also brought in Edward Grinham from Humber as chief engineer; he was able to interpret Black’s ideas for stylish and competitively priced models, especially in the Flying Standard series. By 1939 total car production had reached 50,000 units a year, making Standard Coventry’s largest motor car manufacturer and earning the marque a place in the ‘Big Six’ league of leading British-based producers. Although Black did not officially become managing director until Maudslay’s death in December 1934, he was effectively in command from the start.
Continue reading “Sir John Black (Obituary)”
Work’s Football Competition
Tommy Bunt races in to crack the goal home for the Final Finish Department in the final of the Work’s Football Competition. Continue reading “Work’s Football Competition”