The Resurrection 1923 - 1939 

When the Works re-opened in 1923, Mr Openshaw the Commercial Manager, and Mr F. G. Sartain, the Chief Accountant, oversaw the start-up of torpedo production. Eventually Mr J. P. Davison joined as Managing Director, Mr Harold Thomson became General Manager, Mr Wakely the Works Manager and experienced torpedo designer "Fiume" Jones took the role of Technical Manager. The nick-name "Fiume" was reputedly due to him having worked for several years with the Whiteheads at the Fiume Factory. Many skilled former employees were re-engaged, having spent some of their time working on a Government job creation scheme to construct Radipole Park Drive, Weymouth.

The re-opening also provided the opportunity for younger men to start a career in engineering and some went on to spent all their working lives contributing towards the successful running of the Works. Mr. Jimmy Chapman re-joined as a fitter, having started work there in 1918 (he retired as Works Manager in 1967). Jimmy's father had been employed on the erection of the Factory in 1892 as a scaffolder. Mr. "Dickie" Rout joined in 1924 at the age of 19 as a shorthand typist. In 1934 he became secretary to Mr Davison, and he remained as Secretary to all the successive General Managers, until his retirement in 1967. Three other men that joined in the twenties were Mr. Clarrie Paul (1926) as chauffeur to the General Manager, Mr. Dick Abbott (1928) as an engineering apprentice in the Number Nine Shop, under the guidance of a bowler hatted foreman called Mr Frankie Blackmore (Dick rose to become Head of the Drawing Office) and Mr. Ernie Dingley (1928) who retired in 1968 as Head of the Inspection Department. Clarrie Paul had the pleasure of driving such opulent cars as an l8HP Armstrong Siddley and later on came Wolsley and Austin limousines. Clarrie was still enjoying a pint in the Wyke Working Mens Club in 1991.

A great number of mechanics and engineers who began their careers as apprentices at Whitehead's eventually moved on to take up important roles in some of the leading engineering companies throughout the world and Whitehead's steadily built up a reputation for excellent training and craftsmanship. "Fiume" Jones, with his long experience of working on torpedo development at the Fiume Factory, is remembered as a colourful old gentleman, capable of conversing in fourteen languages. He wore a hat that was his own design, to allow him to look into torpedo sections without it falling off, as had once happened when his expensive trilby had fallen into a pool of oil. "Fiume" used to walk round the Works carrying a large wooden ruler and with a practiced eye and a quick thumbnail measure with his ruler, he could declare with authority that "you want another five thou. off there, my son!" On one occasion he came across a young fitter called Fred Dean and asked him how he was getting on with a particularly awkward assembly job. Fred explained that it was difficult and that the "fuel pot" hurt his knee as he held the assembly steady. "Fiume" told him not to worry about the pain - but just to make sure he didn't drop the precious "fuel pot"! Throughout the nineteen twenties the Ferrybridge Works gradually built up its business, producing small batches of torpedoes for many foreign countries.

Considerable effort was also put into developing a 21 inch torpedo capable of being fired from Revolving Triple Deck Launch Tubes fitted to Chilean Navy Destroyers built by Thorneycrofts. Some of the Whitehead workforce, such as Harry Bellingham, were engaged on fitting out and firing trials in Weymouth Bay in 1930. Harry had joined Whiteheads in 1914, was one of the first to rejoin in 1923, and he eventually reached and held the position of Plant Engineer, until retiring in 1957.

It was on the 4th of July 1930 that His Royal Highness, The Duke of York, later to become King George VI, visited Weymouth to perform the opening ceremony for the new Town Bridge. He then travelled on through Wyke Regis to the Whitehead Works, accompanied by the Mayor of Weymouth at that time, Mr Percy Boyle. They were welcomed with all pomp and circumstance at the factory by the Managing Director, Mr Davison and the General Manager, Mr Thomson, and during a tour of the Works a series of fine photographs was taken. One picture shows the future King signing the Visitors Book, flanked by Mr Davison and Mayor Boyle, whilst in the background, in his white overalls, is a handsome young chauffeur, Clarrie Paul, along with Lewis Jones (son of Fiume Jones) and Frank Sartain. With its many overseas customers, the opportunity was also taken to invite some distinguished foreign Naval Officers to the Works.

A year after the Royal visit, whilst the effects of the general depression still afflicted the whole country, Whitehead's workers went onto a three day week, although the apprentices were kept on full time. At that time the normal working week was 44 hours. By 1933 the short time meant only two days per fortnight, and things were really tough for the men and their families.

The very early Whitehead production torpedoes were tested in Portland Harbour, either from the Whitehead Pier, or on the Whitehead Range at Bincleaves. In the early nineteen hundreds the 1100 yard long Whitehead's Pier had been drastically shortened to 300 yards, and in 1934 a new Whitehead firing range (The Distant Range) was built on the middle arm of the Portland Breakwater, facing outwards across Weymouth Bay. The new Distant Range was used for torpedo test firings across Weymouth Bay and it was fitted with two firing tubes for 18" or 21" weapons, the tubes being lowered into the water to simulate submarine firings. The British Admiralty continued to use the Northern Arm at Bincleaves, with its limited 2000 yards range inside Portland Harbour, in order to test and accept their torpedoes. There were always several small boats stationed within the Harbour in order to chase and recover torpedoes - among them were the Lulworth, followed by the Margaret Davison and the Lady Craven. Torpedoes were transported around the Harbour on the Cheerful, the Graceful, the Hopeful, and the Faithful.

There were some amusing incidents on the Torpedo Range in the period before the Second World War. On one occasion the 6000 yard mark boat Hopeful was sunk by a torpedo, and the crew had to be rescued by speedboat. Then an experimental torpedo dived too deep on firing, blew its buoyancy head and careered around the surface of Weymouth Bay at 45 knots. It eventually hit and sank a fishing boat, and again a speedboat had to save the crew.

Within the Factory area, torpedoes in various states of assembly were transport around on the narrow gauge railway. The Factory made every component needed except for the very largest air vessel forgings - there was a Patternmaker Shop, a Blacksmiths, a Foundry, a Tinsmiths Shop, a Paint Shop, a Copper Shop and various machining and assembly shops for torpedo heads, afterbodies, at engines etc. Prior to 1934 the workshop practices were geared to limited production, based on a skilled workforce who used almost no drawings ~ documentation. The machines themselves were belt driven by a pulley system an DC motors.

The work was not without its hazards, and in the early 1930's a worker in the Copper Shop slipped whilst walking on duckboards surrounding an acid bath His head was submerged for a short time, he swallowed some of the deadly fluid and despite being fed gallons of milk he died an awful death.

There were also some amusing practical jokes played on each other by the workers - one instance, often recounted, concerned the toilets on what was known as `Hill 60'. These toilets had a row of pans that were continually flushed by water running down a large, slightly sloping pipe, If an oily rag was set alight and dropped down the seat of the highest toilet - it gave a `warm' feeling to anyone sat on the lower pans!

Outside their working hours many of the men helped to run other social organisations in Wyke Regis. Ernie Batt was Chief Draughsman, and he was als President of the Wyke Regis Working Mens Club. (he was followed as Chie ~ Draughtsman by Jack Lymath, and then Dick Abbott). Jack Lanfear, a prominent~ officer at the Working Mens Club was a fitter at the Works. Among many others that contributed to the community spirit of Wyke at that time were Cyril Milson, the three King brothers - Ernie, Harold and Harry, Bill Dyke, and Dick Sargeant.

In 1934, as a direct result of Germany's growing belligerence, Sir Charles Craven, the head of Vickers-Armstrong, decided that it was time to undertake a massive modernisation programmes at all their extensive engineering holdings. At that time V-A was a formidable Group, with its various factories producing various types of guns, submarines, aircraft, and tanks. Because of the growing German threat all these factories underwent a huge investment programme.

At Ferrybridge, Weymouth, the Admiralty placed their first order for 80 torpedoes since the end of the First World War, the factory having survived since its re-opening in 1923 on manufacturing small batches of torpedoes for countries such as Holland, Chile, Greece, Rumania, and China. Although the work force had grown to 600, only some 25 of the 80 torpedoes ordered by the Admiralty were delivered on time, and rather unfairly the blame fell on the older management team led by Davison and Thomson, who had been deprived of capital for investment.

V-A decided to bring in a fresh group of younger managers, led by Arthur Reddell as Works Superintendent, and Mr W. R. Ashmead as Works Manager. Mr. Thomson retired shortly afterwards, but Mr. Davison, who was a polished performer on the international torpedo sales scene, continued to play a part, until retiring in 1941.

It was also in 1934 that an enthusiastic 24 years old engineer called Fred Pritchard joined the Works. (He was destined to rise to the position of General Manager in his later years). Fred had started as an apprentice with the Hoffman Ball Bearing Company in Chelmsford, Essex, at the age of fourteen. At one spell at the Vicker's factories at Erith and Crayford he was suddenly ordered to report to the Ferrybridge Works, with instructions to assist in the re-organisation and re-equipping of the factory. Fred was interviewed by the Technical Director, "Fiume" Jones, who was by then very seriously ill, dying just a few days later. "Fiume" was succeeded as Technical Director by his son, Lewis Jones, who lived at Burgundy House in Westhill Road.

The new Management team quickly discovered that the ability of the Works to manufacture torpedoes rested largely on the individual craftsmen's experience and knowledge, and there was almost no production documentation. Fred Pritchard and another Manager, Enrico d'Talamo, were given the job of ensuring that the assembly and test sequences for every item was written down. They were also tasked with carrying out a survey of all plant and machinery, and then to advise on the cost of modernising the factory. Sufficient money was made available by V-A to purchase Ward and Herbert Turret and Capstan Lathes, along with Ward 10/13's capable of machining the large torpedo air vessel ends. Ancient Milling, Shaping, Drilling and other belt driven machinery was replaced by new equipment running from individual AC motors, driven from the mains supply. Similar types of machines were grouped into Sections, and in the Blacksmiths Shop the old steam hammers were replaced by pneumatic ones, and new heat treatment furnaces were installed.

Component Drawings and Operation Sequences were introduced for the first time, and a Production Control Section was formed, along with a Jig and Tool Office to design special tools. These tools were made in an enlarged Tool Room equipped with GSIP Jig Borer. Limited Rate Fixing had previously existed under Mr. Jimmy Jones, but it was now put on a more formal footing, with prices being established for every operation. This requirement caused some friction between management and workforce, particularly where processes were moved from skilled to semi-skilled operators. In fact the only walk-out of the men since 1923 occurred in 1937, when the secret clocking of a Capstan Operator was discovered.

The fundamental restructuring resulted in a factory organisation that was suitable for limited mass production, allowing the use of semi-skilled labour for the simpler tasks, whilst the skilled personnel were employed to "set up" the machines. These measures enabled new orders to be accepted from the British Admiralty for torpedoes such as the Mk Vic's, Mk Six's, and Mk X's. By the beginning of the Second World War in 1939 the Ferry bridge Works had grown to such an extent that it was providing employment for some 1700 workers.

Some of the employees lived in the Ferry bridge Cottages next to the Works, and over the years they purchased the properties from the Company. The records show that in 192S the Company sold off No. 30 to Alfred Collins; in 1928 they sold No 14 to William Langford, No. 19 to William Weir, No. 4 to John Brine, and No. 22 to Richard and Ann Clark; in 1929 No. 8 went to Alice Edmunds.

The first Annual Inter-Departmental Sports was held in 1929, and the purchase of a decent sports field on which to hold future events must have been a common aim of the management and workers. On the 25th of March 1931, Major Owen-Scaffold, of Markham House, sold "a piece of land part of Down or Down Close in the Parish of Wye Regis" to The White head Torpedo Co., Ltd., for a sum of £1150. The land at Down close was conveniently sited adjacent to the Factory, and rough pitches were quickly marked out, with Ernie Dingle and Joe Huddleston (charge hand of the Engine Section) using their spare time to build the first wooden Cricket Pavilion. The Pavilion was formally opened on the third Annual Sports Day, 27th August 1932, by Mrs. J. P. Davison. (see Appendix D)

As far as the development of the torpedo was concerned, there had been a dramatic surge of design activity during the nineteen twenties, which had seen the international market flooded with a bewildering array of variants, although the sizes used during the First World War - 21 inch diameter for surface vessels and submarines, and 18" for aircraft - became the standard. The 21 inch torpedo remains the regular service diameter even today (1991).

Work continued on improving the standard 21 inch Whitehead torpedo, with its phosphor-bronze two cylinder "flat twin" engine, designed by "Fiume" Jones. Research was initially concentrated on an "enriched air" engine, but this was halted when the Brotherhood Company introduced a new "Burner Cycle" engine, that utilised hydrogen peroxide. Eventually this engine proved capable of driving a 21" torpedo at speeds of up to 50 knots. By the outbreak of World War Two the British were relying upon the Admiralty designed 21" Mk VIII torpedo for submarines, the 21" Mk IX torpedo for surface ships, and the 18" Mk XII for aircraft. They all used compressed air, allied to the "burner cycle" drive. A Whitehead eight cylinder engine was also being developed.

An interesting story concerns the Japanese, who continued to work on "enriched air" engines. By the mid-1930's they had secretly solved the technical problems, and introduced into their Navy a large 24 inch torpedo that was to prove vastly ~· superior to any British design. Workers at Whiteheads could recall a party of Japanese engineers visiting the Factory in the 1930's, and although they were forbidden to take photographs, the Japanese took copious notes of the production techniques.

The Germans on the other hand, concentrated on the design of electric torpedoes, which they tested in Sweden, in order to circumvent the Treaty of Versailles. By 1929 they had perfected such a satisfactory design that the drawings were frozen, and carefully stored away, ready for the time when they would be required.

In 1934 another local young man, Sam Dunn, joined his father at the Works, and almost immediately Mr E. G. Barnacle, the Hon. Secretary of the Whitehead Sports and Athletic Club requested that he pay four pence to join the Sports and Athletic Club. In 1991 Sam Dunn was still enjoying his weekly bowls match at the Downclose Club.

The S and A Club supported water sports such as boating, fishing, swimming and diving, which were always popular pursuits for the employees. In 1936 The Right Honourable Giles Stephen Holland, Earl of Ilchester, put his signature to a Licence that gave The Whitehead Company permission to "erect and place on parts of the aforesaid foreshore a slipway to carry overhead lifting apparatus for transporting motor boats and a line of pipes for pumping water into the works and a diving platform and a dressing hut and boat moorings in part of the East Fleet aforesaid all of which are shown on the plan annexed hereto...." The rent was two pounds a year, payable on Christmas day.

A Swimming Section had been formed by Mr Walter Mowlem, a foreman who, during the Second War, was to become Manager of the Bournemouth dispersal factory which took over the Westover Icerink and Majestic Garage, opposite Bournemouth Pavilion. Under his guidance a water polo team was entered into the local Water Polo League, which comprised of Weymouth Swimming, Bridport SC, Bovington SC, Poole SC, and later, Portland SC. A diving stage some 15 feet above the water level, was erected just on the Portland Harbour side of the road bridge over the Fleet. It was positioned so that its foundations were in shallow water, but divers were able to plunge into the deep water, some 30 feet down stream from the  bridge support wall.

Polo matches could only be on the high period of spring tides, when the nets could be moored in the slack water out of the stream. At times, under suitable conditions, the nets were moored in the lee of the railway bank between the bridges on the Portland side. The Club was allowed to erect a galvanised hut which was used as a changing room and for equipment stowage. The players in the early polo team squad were W. Mowlem, S. Goldring, W. Hunter J. Walbridge, L. Benton, D. Abbott, C. Langford, H. King, P. Lee, F. Allen, and L. Moore. As the workforce grew, the Swimming Club was strengthened by the arrival from Swindon of such stalwarts as Jim Miles, Doug Mitchell, Curly Vowles, - and Frank Kitley, who together with Dickie Bird, Jim Stephens, and St Clair, made quite a formidable squad, and the Club was strong enough to put out a first and a second team. The outbreak of the Second World War brought an end to the swimming section's activities, and although it was revived again after the War for a short period, under the guidance of Bill Morrice, interest could not be sustained. Before the purchase of Downclose, football matches were played at "Lyndale" fields and Mr Wakely the Works Manager at that time, presented a Cup to be used for an annual Inter-Departmental six-a-side football competition. The competition was played every year until the War, and again after the War, until V-A sold the Works in 1966. At about the start of the 1930's, Whitehead football teams were playing in the Dorset Senior, Junior, and Minor Leagues. The 1932/33 football squad are pictured in front of the new Sports Pavillion. Some prominent footballers of middle and late thirties were Fred Pritchard, J. Thomas, W. Press, S. Hawk Dick Sergent, S. Aplin, R. Jannaway, W. Hunter, and Cyril Peto.

Cricket was also played at Lyndale, and some prominent members of the cricket squad in those days were R. Pope, W. Richardson, W. Woolacott, and H. Longbottom (Senior). Many young cricketers were welcomed into the Cricket Club, among them being Albert Maynard, J Thomas, and Dick Abbott. Mr A. Weaver, who had recently finished a professional footballing career with Sheffield Wednesday, captained the side well into the 1930's, for he was also a very strong all round cricketer.

The General Manager, H Thompson presented a Cup for an annual Inter-Departmental cricket competition - "The Thompson Cup" - and this was keenly contested in succeeding years. In 1933 the cricketers were  successful in winning the Weymouth and District Echo Cup, the final being played on the old Weymouth Cricket Club Ground at Lodmoor. Albert Maynard was by now making his name as a wicket-keeper/batsman, and he was later to be selected many times to play for the Dorset County side. The photograph shows the squad of 1932/33. By the mid-thirties other new players were Fred Pritchard, F. Cundy, F. Greenwood, R. Hayward, E. Lloyd and H. Dowell.

When Arthur Reddell, W. Ashmeade and Fred Pritchard arrived at the Works in 1934, they began to encourage the workforce to take part in all forms of sport. Apart from Inter-Departmental competitions, they organised matches against other Vickers-Armstrong Works such as Crayford, and Vickers Supermarine at Southampton. Mr. Reddell also took a keen interest in Weymouth Football Club. The Whitehead Bowling Club had been formed in 1931, and home matches were played on the Melcome Regis Club ground. Eventually Arthur Reddell obtained a grant from V-A which paid for the Downclose ground to be laid out with cricket and football pitches, tennis courts, and a bowls rink. Mr Alex Pallister came down from Newcastle in 1935 to supervise the ground work, and when the job had been completed, in 1936, he accepted Mr Reddell's request to stay on as groundsman. The Whitehead Bowling Club immediately joined the local league, and Mr Palmer, a Director of the Works, donated "The Palmer Cup" for Inter-Departmental rink competitions. Mr. Gus Wallis, a foreman in the Foundry was Captain of the Club. By 1936 a large wooden Clubhouse had been built adjacent to the bowling rink, complete with veranda and bar room. The earliest known photograph of the Whitehead Bowls Club Members shows them outside the new Clubhouse in 1937, with their season's trophies. Alick Pallister is front row fourth right, whilst Dick Sargeant, another fine sportsman, is shown back row fourth right.

A Road Running section was started in the late 1930's, and members took part in the Annual Sports Day, which became a very special and popular occasion with stalls, sideshows, and competitions set up around the running track.

A small bore Rifle Shooting Section began in the mid thirties, with the rifles being supplied by the S and A Club. The Rifle Range was situated at the Nothe, in the TA Training Hall, and prominent members that shot in the local Rifle League were Ron Wellman, Den Horsley and G. Wellman.

A Boxing Club was also very active in the thirties, and one of the major participants was Mr Ernie Rudall who left his home town of Barnstable to join the Company in 1935, at 22 years of age. A few days after joining he went along to the Works canteen where a boxing training session was in progress, under the guidance of Mr. J. M. Mulquin, the Foreman of the Machine Shop. Ernie asked if he could join in, and he was invited to spar with Jimmy Fraine, son of the Club trainer. After a few exchanges Ernie caused some consternation by dumping young Fraine to the canvas, and so he was then matched against Ben Watson, one of the best fighters in the Club. What Ernie Rudall had forgot to mention was that he had often trained with his cousin, who was a professional fighter - and very soon Ben Watson was also on the floor.

Ernie Rudall made a big first impression, and was signed up to fight regularly for the Whitehead Boxing Club, for whom he fought for some years as a featherweight, being known as the "Barnstable Bantam". Many of his workmates still remember the rumbustuous contests between Ernie and his friend (outside the ring) Harry Gates - when they used to scrap for six rounds, slugging away toe to toe. A newspaper report at the time records how one fight took place in a field next to Springfield House (the residence of Major and Mrs Devenish) before a crowd of over one thousand spectators. The event was organised for charity by the Whitehead S and A Club on behalf of the Weymouth Hospital. The referee for the contests during the evening was Joe Beckett, a former heavyweight champion of Great Britain, and he said afterwards that "I have spent a thoroughly  enjoyable evening and seen some really promising boxers, the fight between F Gates and E Rudall impressed me the most, it was easily the best." Another fine boxer and an all-round athlete, was Jim Stevens, who worked at Whiteheads from 1936 to 1938 before joining the Police Force. He also fought on the bill at Springfield House and despite being knocked down, he managed to win on points.

It was in 1934 that Whiteheads presented a cup to the Weymouth Sailing Club to be competed for by X-class boats at the Weymouth Town Regatta. It is said that the cup was actually offered in recompense for one of the Club boats being run down by a wayward torpedo. In 1935 J. P. Davison presented a second cup to be competed for annual by Falcons at the Regatta, with £25 being offered as prize money. The cup stood three feet high and was lavishly decorated.

Around 1929 a tennis section was formed, play taking place on the hard courts at Mel come Regis. At that time no females were employed at the factory, and to enable mixed doubles to be played against local clubs, wives and girlfriends had to become Associate Members. Tennis Courts became available at Down close in 1936 and prominent players were Bert Dear love, F. Hutchings, S. Hayward, J. Linton, Alec Dennis, G. Wellman, Fraser Sheppard, and Dick Abbott.

Over the years the workers of the White head Company produced a number of fine sportsmen - runners, cricketers, footballers, and bowlers. In the 1938-9 season the footballers of White heads won the Dorset Lads League (Southern Section) and the Lad's Cup, whilst in 1939 the cricketers fielded one of their strongest teams. Highlight of the team's season was an all day Sunday match against a Somerset County Cricket XI, which included two England players, Arthur Willard and Frank Lee.

In the early months of 1939, with the threat of war emanating from Hitler's Germany, a large number of the men at the Works were formed into an Anti-Aircraft Division under Captain Collingswood, but after some six months, with many of the men being called up to active service, the unit was disbanded. The Second World War was declared in September 1939, and the White head Torpedo Works was once again placed on a war footing, with most of the social and sporting activities being stopped.

The War resulted in great upheaval for the workforce, many of whom were called into the Armed Services - some never to return. Others continued the valuable task of producing large numbers of torpedoes for the allied war effort, combining their long hours of work with other duties in the Home Guard, or as Air Raid Patrol Wardens.