P
PaulineJ
Guest
My greatuncle - John Earle - owned a company called Earle, Bourne and Co. Does anyone know anything about this company, please?
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smtr
master brummie
Kelly's Directory 1884 - Earle, Bourne & Co., Tube Makers, Birmingham Tube Works, Hoope(sic) Street, Spring Hill
Earle, Bourne & Co. Ltd - Facing Tube Makers - Brass & Copper in Birmingham
(Index to Commercial Prospectuses - Advertisers - 1900)
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times]Earle Bourne & Co, Hopper St., Spring Hill, Birmingham, then Heath Street South, Birmingham 18. Initially started to make tubes, bedstead fittings and drawn wires, late 19th century. Later, they specialised in semi- finished products including special tubes, strip and sections. The partnership of John Earl and George Bourne started in 1874 but from 1896 it was run by the Earle family. From 1922 the board was expanded. They were taken over by Delta Metal Co.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, Times]
[/FONT]
Earle, Bourne & Co. Ltd - Facing Tube Makers - Brass & Copper in Birmingham
(Index to Commercial Prospectuses - Advertisers - 1900)
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times]Earle Bourne & Co, Hopper St., Spring Hill, Birmingham, then Heath Street South, Birmingham 18. Initially started to make tubes, bedstead fittings and drawn wires, late 19th century. Later, they specialised in semi- finished products including special tubes, strip and sections. The partnership of John Earl and George Bourne started in 1874 but from 1896 it was run by the Earle family. From 1922 the board was expanded. They were taken over by Delta Metal Co.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, Times]
I realise some of this has just been posted, but there is some new stuff.
They were tube makers. They first appeared between 1873 and 1876 :
Earle, Bourne & Co.brass & iron tube mas.21 NewSummer st.
The position of this is shown in red on the 1890 map, though the company may not have used all the building marked in red. They were still there in 1878 but by 1880 they had moved to Hooper st. Here is a description from the 1880 directory:
Earle, Bourne & Co. manufacturers of every description of iron, brass cased, brass & copper parallel & taper tubes, plain, twisted, reeded & ornamental, also bell tube, whip tube & fender beads & poles, Birmingham tube works, Hooper street, Spring hill
The factory was one or more of the small buildings marked in blue on the 1903-1914 map (top half 1914, bottom 1903). They stayed till about 1890, but by 1892 were in at Heath St south, described as tube makers & metal rollers. An advert from the directories of the time is shown. The factory in 1914 is shown in red on the 1903-1914 map, though it was probably a lot smaller initially. The firm became part of the Delta Group sometime after the war. Between 1963 and 1964 they moved to Dartmouth street. At least part of the old Heath Street factory seems to still be there (from google earth and live view).
They were tube makers. They first appeared between 1873 and 1876 :
Earle, Bourne & Co.brass & iron tube mas.21 NewSummer st.
The position of this is shown in red on the 1890 map, though the company may not have used all the building marked in red. They were still there in 1878 but by 1880 they had moved to Hooper st. Here is a description from the 1880 directory:
Earle, Bourne & Co. manufacturers of every description of iron, brass cased, brass & copper parallel & taper tubes, plain, twisted, reeded & ornamental, also bell tube, whip tube & fender beads & poles, Birmingham tube works, Hooper street, Spring hill
The factory was one or more of the small buildings marked in blue on the 1903-1914 map (top half 1914, bottom 1903). They stayed till about 1890, but by 1892 were in at Heath St south, described as tube makers & metal rollers. An advert from the directories of the time is shown. The factory in 1914 is shown in red on the 1903-1914 map, though it was probably a lot smaller initially. The firm became part of the Delta Group sometime after the war. Between 1963 and 1964 they moved to Dartmouth street. At least part of the old Heath Street factory seems to still be there (from google earth and live view).
P
PaulineJ
Guest
Thank you smtr and mikejee for your help. Much appreciated.
Hi PaulineJ
gosh its hard to find info on the firm!
My grandfather's sister (now deceased) was married to Chetwyn Earle (1902 - 1954) - one of 9 children born of John William Earle and his wife Ada. (Chet)Wyn went in to the business.
I don't have a lot of info on the business or the family but I do know someone who possibly does - and will see what I can find out. It looks like George Bourne was the 'inventor' (with a number of patents) and John was the practical one. John's grandfather was a plane maker from Middlesex whose son John (John William's father) learnt tube making - moving to Birmingham and making his 'fortune'. They appear to have, at one time, become quite wealthy. I assume that the brass tube was used for war work.
My Gt Aunt (1905) had been just a sales girl in a Music shop (called Priestley's). She was a lovely lady. She used to tell me about her trips out with Mrs Earle (Ada), in the Rolls. They used to go to the Lilac Restaurant (at Marshall and Snelgrove's) for tea and the chauffeur would wait patiently outside. They lived in City Road, which was apparently very posh in those times!!
Some of the buildings are still there, on the Icknield loop of the canal.
gosh its hard to find info on the firm!
My grandfather's sister (now deceased) was married to Chetwyn Earle (1902 - 1954) - one of 9 children born of John William Earle and his wife Ada. (Chet)Wyn went in to the business.
I don't have a lot of info on the business or the family but I do know someone who possibly does - and will see what I can find out. It looks like George Bourne was the 'inventor' (with a number of patents) and John was the practical one. John's grandfather was a plane maker from Middlesex whose son John (John William's father) learnt tube making - moving to Birmingham and making his 'fortune'. They appear to have, at one time, become quite wealthy. I assume that the brass tube was used for war work.
My Gt Aunt (1905) had been just a sales girl in a Music shop (called Priestley's). She was a lovely lady. She used to tell me about her trips out with Mrs Earle (Ada), in the Rolls. They used to go to the Lilac Restaurant (at Marshall and Snelgrove's) for tea and the chauffeur would wait patiently outside. They lived in City Road, which was apparently very posh in those times!!
Some of the buildings are still there, on the Icknield loop of the canal.
I have just been told by my 84yr old Mom that her Dad worked at Earl Bourne & Co. She was reminiscing about her childhood, which was very happy. She remembered her Dad being tired but happy after a day working on the furnaces. She also said that all of the workers wives and children were treated to a Christmas party every year. My Mom thought it was wonderful. My Grandad was born in 1900 and we think he retired when the factory moved in the mid sixties. I thought you might like a nice memory.
welcome to the forum gaynor and thanks for your moms memories of a happy childhood...i think back then many large companies treated the workers with compassion and thoughtfulness ie christmas parties for the kids (i went to them from joseph lucas) day trips out ...sports days etc...i dont think this happens so much nowadays which is a pity...if your mom has anymore memories to share with us we would love to read them
all the best
lyn
all the best
lyn
