David Quick
master brummie
The little progress chaser, was it Harry something? Wierd but I remember him & his arm in a sling
Hi freedy, do you know the date of the fire? or know of any newspaper coverage? I've been trying to learn more but am finding it difficult.
regards,
ffeizer
There were two fires, one was in the original factory and was over the Barrel Section cleaning line, the first I knew about it was when Ron Hale from the Human Resources bought our P45, round to our house and to tell us we had been made unemployed due to the fire.Hi freedy, do you know the date of the fire? or know of any newspaper coverage? I've been trying to learn more but am finding it difficult.
regards,
ffeizer
Don't think it was at Ionic, but anyone remember a Plating Company run by a Peter Campbell? He would have retired perhaps 1990 ish?Hi - anyone remember Ionic plating company? It was in Heath Street Smethwick up until the late 70's.
Would love to hear from anyone who worked there between 1955- 1975.
Frank
Hi Andrew, its been so long since I've been on this site, so apologies if you're reading this. Just wanted to say thanks for the very kind things you said about my dad in your piece. Your description of his temperament and outlook was very accurate and I can just imagine him taking a walk round the shop floor every morning.Hi, Just by chance I came across your query. As it happens i worked very closely with Tom Flynn in the 1960's. he was one of my mentors. I first met him in 1959 when I joined Ionic. I was his assistant from 1965 to 1967 and worked in the same office.
He was one of teh people who started up Ionic with bert Wallbank. Ionic was a wholly owned subsiduary of Guest Keen and Nettlefolds, at that time the largest screw manufacturer in the world. Tom was originally the production control manager and it took a lot of persuading for him to become Plant Manager.
He knew teh place intimately and had the unique ability to walk round the shop floor first thing in the morning and know everything that was going on.
I statred under Colin Prosser, and Eddie Baker the technical department, got moved to Dudley Works as a Chemist and then returned to grove Street as Tom's asistant.
The intent was that I should learn from the master how to run a factory, whih I did by osmosis.
Tom was the perfect Plamt manager for Ionic. he never seemed get upset, raise his voice or lose his temper but managed the company by example, hard work, good selection of staff and an intimate knowledge of everything that went on.
he led the comany through two fires, a strike and constant pressure from GKN.
His only drawbacks was that he was a chain smoker, was slightly overweight and chewed aspirins like candies.
names that come to mind are:
Colin Prosser, Chief Chemist
Eddie Baker,asst. Chief Chemist
Derek Sutton, Barrel Section Manager
Ron Stockley, Rack Department Manager
Dan Eaton, Work Study
Dave Wesbury accounts, General Manager after Bert retired after a heart attack, and eventually co-owner.
Dick Spenser who became deputy Chief accountant.
Let me end with the statement that Ionic was a happy place to work in and that everyone was good to know. If you need more then e-mail me.
Hi Frankf7, what a great picture. Do you know approx when this was taken? If you've got any more pics you can share with us, please do. The thread has been quite active recentlyHi Andrew, its been so long since I've been on this site, so apologies if you're reading this. Just wanted to say thanks for the very kind things you said about my dad in your piece. Your description of his temperament and outlook was very accurate and I can just imagine him taking a walk round the shop floor every morning.View attachment 152632
I wish I had more memories or images from his time there, tho i do recall vaguely, the fire incident being talked about at home and of course remember some of the Christmas parties. I have a photo of dad at work in his office. He died in 1972, long time ago now, but would be great to hear from anybody else who knew him or any more pics.
Thanks again.View attachment 152632
Somebody put me right on this. Is that road forking off right Grove Street going towards the Cape & is the left fork with the cyclist Halberton Street?Hi Andrew, its been so long since I've been on this site, so apologies if you're reading this. Just wanted to say thanks for the very kind things you said about my dad in your piece. Your description of his temperament and outlook was very accurate and I can just imagine him taking a walk round the shop floor every morning.View attachment 152632
I wish I had more memories or images from his time there, tho i do recall vaguely, the fire incident being talked about at home and of course remember some of the Christmas parties. I have a photo of dad at work in his office. He died in 1972, long time ago now, but would be great to hear from anybody else who knew him or any more pics.
Thanks again.View attachment 152632
Somebody put me right on this. Is that road forking off right Grove Street going towards the Cape & is the left fork with the cyclist Halberton Street?
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Where was the reception in the late '60s?Cyclist was in Grove Lane . Lead to Dudley Road Cape Hill 0n the right . The race to the Bus Stops at 5.30
No problem Freddy, glad it’s how you remember him. I’ve always assumed this office was in the building in the picture in grove street - would you know if that’s right?Frank,
Just how I remember him. Great pic, and a great memory, thanks for posting.