Ionic Plating Works

[David Quick]

Anyone remember Airlite?
Dave Q

 

[Brianbrum]

Sorry Frank, can't help you, but my father was a plater at a firm called Elkingtons in New Hall Street, which later became the Science Museum.
I spent many Sunday afternoons there at the science museum, listening to the hiss of the working beam engine and trying to win on a, simple electronic game of 'Beat the Fox'.
Never to miss downstairs Donald Campbell's, Railton Special.????

ladywood

Hi just noticed your comment. My auntie Beryl worked at Elkingtons in the office just above the main door, it moved to goscote in Walsall during the war I joined my aunt there in 1963 and stayed until closure in I think 1965 it moved to Sheffield under the name of British Silverware

 

[MichelleC]

Ionic plating was in Grove St, Bham 18, it shared a junction in the road with Grove Lane, that junction was at the top of the road, where the side of Grove Cinema was.

Just past the Grove Cinema, still on the left hand side going towards Birmingham on the Dudley Road was Halburton Street, that had a bend in the end of the road bringing it back onto the Grove St, towards the bottom was Ionic Stores and Ionic Garage these were opposite that junction and was the path that led to GKN.

The next road along Dudley Road on the left was Dugdale Street, Dugdale Street ran from Dudley Road down to Abberley Street, Abberley Street, ran from Winson St, down to where it joined Grove St.

If you went to the back of the Still Vat section by the lift there were some windows and you could look into Halburton Street, if you imagine Halburton Street as a letter J, the bottom part of the jay was where it came back onto Grove St, and was where eventually after Ionic purchased the factory over the road, the factory was renamed Abberley Works and was to become the new Ionic Plating Barrel Section.

Initially GKN had its own plating section, but after the Second World War, Ionic Plating was opened up opposite GKN in Grove St, later it purchased the factory down Grove St, that was renamed 21 Shop. So as time progressed you could walk into the original Ionic plating in Grove St, along a path between the Vat section and the Barrel Section, through a doorway into 21shop, and across the road into Abberley Works.

The pub opposite the Grove |Cinemas was “The Engine” I believe

I started as a progress chaser at Ionic circa summer 1960, I was made redundant and my check was dated 24 July 1986, and was the worst day of my life, I never really got over the loss of my job at Ionic, it has to be the best plating company and the best job in the world.

Dave Westbury was born in Aston and was the nicest guy anyone could wish to meet, David sadly died about 2012 ish

Ronald “Ron” Stockley, died 22 March 2014, I estimate he would have been in his late 70s, he was in the Guards as a serviceman, and always retained that superior image of a disciplined guardsman.

Ernie Cale I believe could still be alive and living in the new apartments on the site of the old “Punchbowl” on Wolverhampton Road South, Quinton,

Ray Mercer died 3rd January 1992, age 64 years

Ernie Cale was my uncle. He died in March 2020 at the age of 92. My father, Leonard Cale, was also an electroplater at the Ionic; he died in December 2018 at 84. I remember going on the company's Christmas outing to the pantomime for the employees' children several times. I also remember how my Dad used to have little holes in his fingers from acid splashes, and my mother complaining about how his shirts would eventually just fall apart!

 

[David Quick]

Ernie Cale was my uncle. He died in March 2020 at the age of 92. My father, Leonard Cale, was also an electroplater at the Ionic; he died in December 2018 at 84. I remember going on the company's Christmas outing to the pantomime for the employees' children several times. I also remember how my Dad used to have little holes in his fingers from acid splashes, and my mother complaining about how his shirts would eventually just fall apart!

Hi Michelle, sorry to hear the passing of Ernie Cale (and indeed your Dad in '84). I used to work with Ernie on the vat section in a chemist/ foreman relationship way back in late '60s. I remember him well, he was quite a character and so much a part of what typified Ionic. Do you have any old photos you could share with us? PS The disintegrating clothes (and the smell of cyanide) was something we all got used to in the plating trade. Thanks for the post. David Quick

 

[JimG]

Ernie Cale was my uncle. He died in March 2020 at the age of 92. My father, Leonard Cale, was also an electroplater at the Ionic; he died in December 2018 at 84. I remember going on the company's Christmas outing to the pantomime for the employees' children several times. I also remember how my Dad used to have little holes in his fingers from acid splashes, and my mother complaining about how his shirts would eventually just fall apart!

MichelleC I remember Ernie very well, I worked at Ionic for 26 years and it was the best experience of my life, I worked in most parts of Ionic, progress chaser, heat treatment, stores, barrel section plating, still vat section plating, working alongside Ernie, best boss ever was Ron Stockley, tell him something couldn’t be done and although he always wore a suite, off would come his coat and he would show you how it was done!

My last days at Ionic were in Abberley works, worst day of my life.

I am still in touch with a few of the people from Ionic, and they are always lovely to talk too and to talk about our days at Ionic, my Dad also worked at Ionic for many years and he always had an acrid smell to his clothes, there were no showers or changing rooms then, we had many people working there from around the globe and it was a lovely family atmosphere, one thing you had to watch was who you talked about, many people working there were part of families, so anything you said would soon get back to them, lol.



Yes, it was an experience working at Ionic.

 

[Number 6]

I have just come across this site, I worked at Ionic from around 1963 to around1974/5. Although I did not work in the main factory I worked in the Works Garage which was further down the road from the main factory next to the Chemical stores.. Reading all the names It certainly brings back a lot of memories, Tom Archer, Dave Westbury, Tom Flynn. Ionic obtained a factory up near Manchester and I had the privilege to drive Bert Wallbank to it every few weeks in his MK 10 Jaguar Which at the age of 18/19 was quite exciting. I worked in the garage with Vince Hughes. and another man called Jim Lacey. The photo is of me steam cleaning one of the works lorries ready for the M.O,T

 

[David Quick]

I have just come across this site, I worked at Ionic from around 1963 to around1974/5. Although I did not work in the main factory I worked in the Works Garage which was further down the road from the main factory next to the Chemical stores.. Reading all the names It certainly brings back a lot of memories, Tom Archer, Dave Westbury, Tom Flynn. Ionic obtained a factory up near Manchester and I had the privilege to drive Bert Wallbank to it every few weeks in his MK 10 Jaguar Which at the age of 18/19 was quite exciting. I worked in the garage with Vince Hughes. and another man called Jim Lacey. The photo is of me steam cleaning one of the works lorries ready for the M.O,T

Hi Number 6, welcome to the thread, Another great picture from the Ionic vault, not sure what you're doing with that flame though! I think the company in Manchester was called Hilton & Tuck but I never knew much about them, Dave Q

 

[Number 6]

Hi Number 6, welcome to the thread, Another great picture from the Ionic vault, not sure what you're doing with that flame though! I think the company in Manchester was called Hilton & Tuck but I never knew much about them, Dave Q

Yes it was indeed Hilton+ Tuck.. The "Flame" was to ignite the steam cleaner that was run on paraffin which heated the boiler to create the steam, which was then used to clean the commercial vehicles prior to testing. Filthy job but happy days.

 

[JimG]

Hi Number 6, welcome to the thread, Another great picture from the Ionic vault, not sure what you're doing with that flame though! I think the company in Manchester was called Hilton & Tuck but I never knew much about them, Dave Q

I have just come across this site, I worked at Ionic from around 1963 to around1974/5. Although I did not work in the main factory I worked in the Works Garage which was further down the road from the main factory next to the Chemical stores.. Reading all the names It certainly brings back a lot of memories, Tom Archer, Dave Westbury, Tom Flynn. Ionic obtained a factory up near Manchester and I had the privilege to drive Bert Wallbank to it every few weeks in his MK 10 Jaguar Which at the age of 18/19 was quite exciting. I worked in the garage with Vince Hughes. and another man called Jim Lacey. The photo is of me steam cleaning one of the works lorries ready for the M.O,T

I worked in various positions all over Ionic from 1960 to 1986, 26 years!!
I must have known you Jim Gull. shortly after I started Jack Brains son worked in the garage, he was backing the Mark 9 out of the garage gates and had the driver’s side door open to see at the back where he was reversing out, he didn’t notice as the door caught on the gate and crumpled the door , I believe he left after that incident so you could have been his replacement , Vince and another lad I think it may have been Chris Peg worked in the garage, I believe they started their own garage down Ladywood after the company closed, and Vince eventually moved down to the South Coast.
I couldn’t remember a company that Ionic took over in Manchester, then you mentioned Hilton & Tuck and I remembered the name.
I also worked in the stores when it was in 21 shop and later when it was moved over by the garage, I believe it was Tom Watson? and another old guy who worked in the stores, the boss of the stores was a chap name Bill.

There was a John Lacy in charge of the deck, a nice Irish guy, he wasn’t in charge of the garage as far as I know, he worked on the deck up the top.

Jim G

 

[Parmjit]

Just recently came across this site and messages related to Ionic Plating.

I started work at Ionic in 1972 as an electrician improver in the maintenance department, leaving in 1979.

I do remember some of the names mentioned and attach a group photo of myself along with Bill Taylor, Gordon Harris, Lewis jones, and John Elliot. Some other name in maintenance team that I remember where a John Tweedle, John Townsend, Lloyd Frater , Ed, Pete Milburn, Bernard Ratcliffe plus other staff who's names I am not able to recall.

 

[David Quick]

Just recently came across this site and messages related to Ionic Plating.

I started work at Ionic in 1972 as an electrician improver in the maintenance department, leaving in 1979.

I do remember some of the names mentioned and attach a group photo of myself along with Bill Taylor, Gordon Harris, Lewis jones, and John Elliot. Some other name in maintenance team that I remember where a John Tweedle, John Townsend, Lloyd Frater , Ed, Pete Milburn, Bernard Ratcliffe plus other staff who's names I am not able to recall.View attachment 170153View attachment 170154View attachment 170155

Welcome to the thread Palmjit. Amazing how many pics have turned up over the last year or so. Lou Jones instantly recognisable. I wonder how many more pics still lurking in our cupboards. DQ

 

[LHale]

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.



The second fire was in 21 shop where the large barrel plating machine was, it was an old Belfast Roof Trusses and once alight quickly took over the plant , I believe it was on a 16th of August the day after my Birthday it would from memory have been the early 70s.

A fascinating thread. My granddad was Ron Hale, he retired in the late 80's and sadly passed away a couple of years ago. My great uncle was Gren Pickin, mentioned earlier in this thread. If anyone else recalls Ron or Gren I'd like to hear more and I'm sorry Ron was the bearer of such bad news, Jim!

 

[freddy]

A fascinating thread. My granddad was Ron Hale, he retired in the late 80's and sadly passed away a couple of years ago. My great uncle was Gren Pickin, mentioned earlier in this thread. If anyone else recalls Ron or Gren I'd like to hear more and I'm sorry Ron was the bearer of such bad news, Jim!

I remember Ron Hale very well. Gren Picken was an outstandingly funny man ( he wasn't alone!) and worked in 21 shop on the old manual phosphate line with John Stamp(s). He was a great man for a curry, on twilight shift he insisted on mega quantities of curry sauce on his bought in meal. I met John several times after my time at Ionic in other metal finishing plants and looked on both of them as friends.

In Palmjit's picture I sort of recognise George Harris, not Gordon; he looks bit slimmer though. Perhaps my memory is failing again.

Jim, it was indeed Tom Watson in the stores; the elderly chap that I recall was named Joe; I say "elderly" but he would have been a deal younger than we are now. The stores foreman I best remember was Roy Marigold, tallish sandy haired fellow who drove a VW Beetle, nice guy. Roy came along after the stores were broken into and a quantity of nickel metal was pinched; there followed a period of ill feeling and innuendo I found very distasteful.

When I knew 7 shop it was a small order specialist barrel line, the operator was another Ernie?

You must have known and worked with Larry Smith; he was another one with a droll sense of humour, very likeable.

 

[Parmjit]

I remember Ron Hale very well. Gren Picken was an outstandingly funny man ( he wasn't alone!) and worked in 21 shop on the old manual phosphate line with John Stamp(s). He was a great man for a curry, on twilight shift he insisted on mega quantities of curry sauce on his bought in meal. I met John several times after my time at Ionic in other metal finishing plants and looked on both of them as friends.

In Palmjit's picture I sort of recognise George Harris, not Gordon; he looks bit slimmer though. Perhaps my memory is failing again.

Jim, it was indeed Tom Watson in the stores; the elderly chap that I recall was named Joe; I say "elderly" but he would have been a deal younger than we are now. The stores foreman I best remember was Roy Marigold, tallish sandy haired fellow who drove a VW Beetle, nice guy. Roy came along after the stores were broken into and a quantity of nickel metal was pinched; there followed a period of ill feeling and innuendo I found very distasteful.

When I knew 7 shop it was a small order specialist barrel line, the operator was another Ernie?

You must have known and worked with Larry Smith; he was another one with a droll sense of humour, very likeable.

could well be the correct name is George Harris and not Gordon Harris.

 

[Parmjit]

A fascinating thread. My granddad was Ron Hale, he retired in the late 80's and sadly passed away a couple of years ago. My great uncle was Gren Pickin, mentioned earlier in this thread. If anyone else recalls Ron or Gren I'd like to hear more and I'm sorry Ron was the bearer of such bad news, Jim!

I do remember Ron Hale, it was Ron plus a colleague of his who interviewed me for a job at Ionic around 1973/74. My last contact with with Ron was when he did a work reference for me when I applied to become a chartered electrical engineer, this would have been near 1984. Positive memories of Ron Hale, a good HR person.

 

[BlueAsh]

Does anyone have any photos of Ernie Cale? He was my 2nd times Great Grandfather and I'd love to have some photos of relatives if that's okay.

 

[Richard Dye]

Does anyone have any photos of Ernie Cale? He was my 2nd times Great Grandfather and I'd love to have some photos of relatives if that's okay.

Welcome to the Forum BlueAsh, enjoy!

 

[BlueAsh]

Welcome to the Forum BlueAsh, enjoy!

Thank you

 

[David Quick]

Welcome to the Forum BlueAsh, enjoy!

I worked with Ernie, great character. No pics unfortunately, only memories. It was after all late '60s! A few photos have been uncovered on this thread, but we weren't obsessed with taking snapshots then and of course we didn't have cell phone technology. I hope this unearths some more, I would love to see them to Good luck!

 

[BlueAsh]

I worked with Ernie, great character. No pics unfortunately, only memories. It was after all late '60s! A few photos have been uncovered on this thread, but we weren't obsessed with taking snapshots then and of course we didn't have cell phone technology. I hope this unearths some more, I would love to see them to Good luck!

I don't think he IS the 2nd great grandfather I'm on about due to that time, my parents were born then and my grandparents were only only in their 30s and the Ernie Cale that I'm on about died in 1947, so I think he was a cousin or something as my great grandparents would have been working, but Elsie Cale (My great grandmother) married into a different family.