Morris Commercial Vehicles

[dek carr]

Quote--- I remember being told of the fire in 1964.

Hello I was a Contracting Electrical Apprentice at the time of the fire we were called in on the Saturday morning and worked all weekend including nights to install the power for Monday morning.I never returned to that site although I did use their club quite often.Also worked at Drews Lane and Common Lane. Dek

 

[rover]

[ View attachment 118372 View attachment 118373 View attachment 118372 View attachment 118372 View attachment 118373 View attachment 118373 Hi Phil, My dad worked in the MCC Fire Brigade, here are some pics. First one is of the Austin Gypsy Fire Engine outside of East works after the Fire, the fireman on the left is my dad Leading Fireman
Joe Boden and Peter Tooze, Following 2 pictures showing some of the fire damage. Pic 3 is of some of MCC firemen with top management celebrating trophies won at the Birmingham & District Industrial Fire Brigades Association fire drill competions. Front row sitting left to right Peter Tooze, .(my dad Joe Boden.) Pony Pritchard (john), Cyril Taylor, Peter Glyn and far end sitting Johnny Glyn…...Far back middle Ted Massey. Pic 5 ..Later years C.F.O. Joe Boden.

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[Dave Bath]

Hi Rover,
Please learn how to upload pictures or send via email please. I would love to see them especially the one with Pony Pritchard on. He was a nutcase with a heart of gold and he used to tenpin bowl with us at Wylde Green and later at Acocks Green. A lot of people went to work at Drews Lane from Adderley Park, some of whom were bowlers, Brian and Lynette Butler and Pony, Tommy and Sandra Jennings, Ken Rainey, Milford Blakelock,, George ???? (tool buyer with a squint). Does anyone know their whereabouts these days? Terry Flower I know still works at Drews Lane I have some pictures of the bowlers. I met my wife there in 1971 and married her in 1975.

 

[Astonian]

hi guys
many thanks for all your inserts on the forum about the commercial;
my old friend sqizza has we called was a shop steward there many many years
when he left he took on the hay mills social club ;
but i have recently learnt that he as since diedfrom my last input he was the steward for many many years
he was one hell of a character best wishes astonian

 

[Dollymixtures]

Hi all, my dad was a draughtsman at Adderley Park between around 1960 and 1971 - Les Seale. He moved to Longbridge in around 1971 and then Drews Lane from where he retired in '92. Sadly, he died in 2007 but a couple of the names mentioned by Dave are familiar. Just wondered if anyone might remember him. As a child I also remember going to a couple of the Christmas parties - although not sure where they were held. I seem to remember the film "Genevive" being shown at one of them ...
Regards to all
Carol Seale

 

[Dollymixtures]

Hi Richard
Thank you so much for replying - and for your kind words about my dad. He was a lovely man - and a great dad - and is very much missed by us all. I did know quite a few names of people he worked with along the way but I have a feeling they may have been from earlier times than Drews Lane. Names that spring to mind - Bob Steenton (think he was at Drews Lane although was definitely at Longbridge too), Jim Latham (not sure he made it to Drews Lane), Frank Neville, John Brown, John Freeman. I'll see if I can think of a few others.
With thanks again.
Carol

 

[Dave Bath]

Hi Carol,
Your dad's name does ring a distant bell. Do you have any photos of him circa 1971 when I too went off to Longbridge (Flight Shed).

 

[Dollymixtures]

Hi Dave
Thanks for your reply. Yes, I'm sure I can sort out a photo of him from around that time. Whether I can figure out how to attach it here is another question though! Will do my best in the next few days or so.
Thanks again.
Carol

 

[Catsclaws]

My father worked at the Morris Commercial factory in the 50's his name was Harold Brittain. My mom and auntie ran the Cafe on Adderley Road at Saltley Gate. I remember the social club on Alum Rock, where I used to sing on the stage Sunday nights for thruppence. The family moved to Brighton in1961, but I can still remember those Christmas parties at the club, happy days...

Hi Jetty man ..
My dad too worked at the Morris Commercial and His Name was Harry Payton .. or Acka .. I remember very well Sunday nights .. I was 3 years old and had to sing on the stage .. 'Ab Yu Ebber Bin Lonely ' Or translated was 'Have you ever been Lonely , Have you ever been blue ' I think there was a nice man at the side of the stage .. ''Uncle Jim ?'' Who gave us Thruppence . My little brother once got his foot stuck in one of the little square holes on the dance floor . Gosh this has to be 52 years ago nor .. scary isnt it . I wonder if he Knew my dad ?
Fond Memories Jetty Man
Regards Jean x

 

[Catsclaws]

My father worked at the Morris Commercial factory in the 50's his name was Harold Brittain. My mom and auntie ran the Cafe on Adderley Road at Saltley Gate. I remember the social club on Alum Rock, where I used to sing on the stage Sunday nights for thruppence. The family moved to Brighton in1961, but I can still remember those Christmas parties at the club, happy days...

Hi Jetty man ..
My dad too worked at the Morris Commercial and His Name was Harry Payton .. or Acka .. I remember very well Sunday nights .. I was 3 years old and had to sing on the stage .. 'Ab Yu Ebber Bin Lonely ' Or translated was 'Have you ever been Lonely , Have you ever been blue ' I think there was a nice man at the side of the stage .. ''Uncle Jim ?'' Who gave us Thruppence . My little brother once got his foot stuck in one of the little square holes on the dance floor . Gosh this has to be 52 years ago nor .. scary isnt it . I wonder if he Knew my dad ?
Fond Memories Jetty Man
Regards Jean x

 

[205mal]

Hi I am new to this site and have read its contents with great interest.Having been born in Adderley Road at my grandparents house I well remember the Morris Commercial factory,however my interests go a little deeper than that.My father was a fireman at Fisher and Ludlow and I have a photo of their Morris Commercial fire engine.I am also a member of the ambulance Heritage Society and we are at present restoring a cv11 ambulance which we believe was the works ambulance,we are also restoring an LC 5 and hope to have these vehicles on display in the near future.Malcolm

 

[205mal]

Thank you for replying,I will try and supply photographs.The vehicles are at present located on a farm near Mansfield which is our present HQ,we are hoping to relocate in the near future to a more suitable location.We have 42 vehicles including Daimler dc27's Austin sheerline and Princess and 6 Morris LD's which includes the old works ambulance from Fort Dunlop.Malcolm

 

[dougmick]

the club was top end of rock i worked at morris commercial from 1961 until it closed and moved to rover lode lane which i hated

 

[dougmick]

hi phil i worked next to the sheet metal dept A drive in the wood maintenance shop as a trainee wood machinist under billy marshall from 1961 then we moved to the old 3m's site when they moved out.I remember Eric on the lifts and they had to get the crane to lift him out of a hole he fell in on his way to work

 

[MILLY]

Hi, my dad worked for morris commercial for many years. Frank buddrige was his name. I am trying to find out about the pistol club that he belonged to. I know he went on trips to bisley to shoot against the police. Can anyone help.

 

[dougmick]

Milly i used to go to the pistol club cannot remember names but it used to be at the morris commercial club alum rock they used to run archery as well

 

[Dave89]

Hi,

Back in the 1960's I used to shoot at the Fernbank range at the top of the Rock, and I
remember a chap called Bob (Spider) Webb who worked at the Morris Commercial, and
was also a member there

Kind regards

Dave

 

[Bronson]

Hi, I understand in your post you were asking about a film made at the morris commercial. I have just viewed the film on you tube, in the search I typed " morris commercial film " The film came up in the list at the side. If I am late or you already know about this I am sorry to disturb you. Thanks for reading this...

 

[Astonian]

hi dougmick
do you recall a guy by the name of sqissy squires he was a shop steward at the bordesley green depot
when he finished there he became a club steward at the Hay mills social club on coventry road hay mills
For many years until he died a couple of years ago sadly his wife died they was very close her name was mavis
best wishes Astonian,,,

 

[David Robbins]

Hi Astonian
This is David Robbins apprentice at MCC 1958-63. I never thought for one minute MCC would have a website and only came across by accident. I notice the site mentions Alf and Nev but I have happy memories in the training school with Jim Jong who spent hours with me teaching me all aspects of machining especially on the schools Reed-Prentice centre lathe. at the time I was the only non dealership son in the school and Jim had no time for them as they had no future in the factory. My time served in the school I was sent to the machine tool repair west works where I linked up with fellow apprentice Maurice Mulliner who's father Arthur was my Forman. I was best man at Maurice's wedding but sadly lost touch when they emigrated to the USA. I had another close ex apprentice pal Layton Ward. There was also Gordon whom we holidayed together at Bidford the year the Shadows launched Appache. On completion I was transferred to west works extension and worked alongside another ex apprentice Alan Blackmore. In 1964 I married Geraldine and my workmates bought us a state of the art first steel ironing board which Iam please to say is still in weekly use.Does anybody remember. Millwright big snuff taking Stan who ran the archery club? If any get together soon are forthcoming I would wish to be informed and try and make it providing it fits in with my oncology treatment.
Best wishes
David

 

[dougmick]

My Grandfather was forman wood machinist there. He died on the premises, after completing his shift he evidently sat down to change his shoes and was found dead by friends. That was in 1952.

I used to work in the wood machine shop on the other side came under maintenance in 1961 when left school at 15 was under billy marshall

 

[dougmick]

Astonian, It was Pathe. but they amalgamated with other companies like Gaumont. I think the bloke in charge was Mr Fullilove or Mr Fulliforce.
Mr Bibb was apprentice supervisor, Alf was foreman Neville Kershaw was leading hand but he went on to be apprentice superviser. I am a life member of the Apprentices Association.
I was working at SU Carbs when there was a fire in East Works, the local people entered MCC and wheeled vehicles out to save them from the fire. A lot of locals worked at MCC of course.
They had a fantastic club for employees in Ward End I think. One night at an apprentices annual dinner, some older apprentices jacked up Mr Bibbs car and took the wheels off. He had an MG sedan. This Forum site is bringing back many memories of things I had forgotton, it is nearly 50 years since I left.

Allways used to start drinking in mmc club up the top of the rock we used to come out cross road and have fish and chips from steves chip shop then pub crawled all down rock and ended up at the tilt hammer at the gate this was early 60s when i worked at mmc

 

[dougmick]

Hi Astonian
This is David Robbins apprentice at MCC 1958-63. I never thought for one minute MCC would have a website and only came across by accident. I notice the site mentions Alf and Nev but I have happy memories in the training school with Jim Jong who spent hours with me teaching me all aspects of machining especially on the schools Reed-Prentice centre lathe. at the time I was the only non dealership son in the school and Jim had no time for them as they had no future in the factory. My time served in the school I was sent to the machine tool repair west works where I linked up with fellow apprentice Maurice Mulliner who's father Arthur was my Forman. I was best man at Maurice's wedding but sadly lost touch when they emigrated to the USA. I had another close ex apprentice pal Layton Ward. There was also Gordon whom we holidayed together at Bidford the year the Shadows launched Appache. On completion I was transferred to west works extension and worked alongside another ex apprentice Alan Blackmore. In 1964 I married Geraldine and my workmates bought us a state of the art first steel ironing board which Iam please to say is still in weekly use.Does anybody remember. Millwright big snuff taking Stan who ran the archery club? If any get together soon are forthcoming I would wish to be informed and try and make it providing it fits in with my oncology treatment.
Best wishes
David

I remember doing Archery was this Stan the same one who done pistol shooting as well i used to do both in early 60s

 

[Bronson]

My partner's father worked at the Morris Commercial for years ( 50s-60s ). His name is Alfred Vann, he was a keen snooker player. His name is on a lot of trophy's which were on display in the commercial social club. What ever happened to those trophy's I wonder...

 

[dougmick]

Hi all, my dad was a draughtsman at Adderley Park between around 1960 and 1971 - Les Seale. He moved to Longbridge in around 1971 and then Drews Lane from where he retired in '92. Sadly, he died in 2007 but a couple of the names mentioned by Dave are familiar. Just wondered if anyone might remember him. As a child I also remember going to a couple of the Christmas parties - although not sure where they were held. I seem to remember the film "Genevive" being shown at one of them ...
Regards to all
Carol Seale

Hi Carol xmas parties used to be at the club top of rock

 

[dougmick]

Hi all, my dad was a draughtsman at Adderley Park between around 1960 and 1971 - Les Seale. He moved to Longbridge in around 1971 and then Drews Lane from where he retired in '92. Sadly, he died in 2007 but a couple of the names mentioned by Dave are familiar. Just wondered if anyone might remember him. As a child I also remember going to a couple of the Christmas parties - although not sure where they were held. I seem to remember the film "Genevive" being shown at one of them ...
Regards to all
Carol Seale

Hi Carol xmas parties used to be at the club top of rock

 

[dougmick]

My partner's father worked at the Morris Commercial for years ( 50s-60s ). His name is Alfred Vann, he was a keen snooker player. His name is on a lot of trophy's which were on display in the commercial social club. What ever happened to those trophy's I wonder...

Name sounds familiar im 71 now forgot a lot of names but still have great memories of working there from 61 and going to rover when it closed

 

[boomy]

Hi Astonian
This is David Robbins apprentice at MCC 1958-63. I never thought for one minute MCC would have a website and only came across by accident. I notice the site mentions Alf and Nev but I have happy memories in the training school with Jim Jong who spent hours with me teaching me all aspects of machining especially on the schools Reed-Prentice centre lathe. at the time I was the only non dealership son in the school and Jim had no time for them as they had no future in the factory. My time served in the school I was sent to the machine tool repair west works where I linked up with fellow apprentice Maurice Mulliner who's father Arthur was my Forman. I was best man at Maurice's wedding but sadly lost touch when they emigrated to the USA. I had another close ex apprentice pal Layton Ward. There was also Gordon whom we holidayed together at Bidford the year the Shadows launched Appache. On completion I was transferred to west works extension and worked alongside another ex apprentice Alan Blackmore. In 1964 I married Geraldine and my workmates bought us a state of the art first steel ironing board which Iam please to say is still in weekly use.Does anybody remember. Millwright big snuff taking Stan who ran the archery club? If any get together soon are forthcoming I would wish to be informed and try and make it providing it fits in with my oncology treatment.
Best wishes
David

I too, served my apprenticeship at "The Morris" 1955 to 1960 and then spent a couple of years in the Experimental Dept., doing test bed development of the diesels, before moving to SU Carburettors doing test bed development of petrol engines. Returned to Adderley Park and worked in Quality Audit Dept., spent about 13 years at "The Morris" all told - a very friendly, place to work. Nev Kelsall transferred to Common Lane when the factory closed working in the Personnel Dept., but sadly, Nev passed away about 5-6 years ago.

 

[SandyBrook]

I'm a bit late seeing this thread but I had a very short spell in the accounts office (Purchase Ledger I think) in the late 60's /early 70's.

I'd moved away from home in Clipston Road to Shropshire but jobs were a bit hard to find and was thinking of moving back.

All the work that I can remember doing was still hand written, most abiding memory is that we used to wander off to a canteen at the end of the same floor for bacon or sausage sandwiches and the like at break time.

It seemed as though most of the vehicles at that time were Post Office contracts although no doubt there were others.
I lived near enough to walk back to Mom's where I was staying at the time and seem to remember being tucked up snug in bed quite late one night with the radio on and hearing that some people were still stuck in Brum Town Centre because of snow, wonder what year that was.

Slightly off topic, I used to go to Central Grammar when it was in Cherrywood Road and for one of our art lessons we where taken down to the waste ground opposite the Morris and had to draw and paint the view towards the middle of Brum, I was useless at art in those days so nothing to show for it but wish I could go back for another go now that I am rather better. I have found a photo from about the 60's with the side of the Morris, the railway line and the distant bits and bobs to have a go at before too long.

Best Regards
SandyBrook

 

[boomy]

I'm a bit late seeing this thread but I had a very short spell in the accounts office (Purchase Ledger I think) in the late 60's /early 70's.

I'd moved away from home in Clipston Road to Shropshire but jobs were a bit hard to find and was thinking of moving back.

All the work that I can remember doing was still hand written, most abiding memory is that we used to wander off to a canteen at the end of the same floor for bacon or sausage sandwiches and the like at break time.

It seemed as though most of the vehicles at that time were Post Office contracts although no doubt there were others.
I lived near enough to walk back to Mom's where I was staying at the time and seem to remember being tucked up snug in bed quite late one night with the radio on and hearing that some people were still stuck in Brum Town Centre because of snow, wonder what year that was.

Slightly off topic, I used to go to Central Grammar when it was in Cherrywood Road and for one of our art lessons we where taken down to the waste ground opposite the Morris and had to draw and paint the view towards the middle of Brum, I was useless at art in those days so nothing to show for it but wish I could go back for another go now that I am rather better. I have found a photo from about the 60's with the side of the Morris, the railway line and the distant bits and bobs to have a go at before too long.

Best Regards
SandyBrook

SandyBrook,
Mr Mason was the Chief Accountant, and a couple of names in the Purchase Accounts Dept, were Powell and Charlton, but I never had any dealings with that side of the company. We were the biggest supplier of vans to the GPO in the UK, so that is why you saw a lot of orders involving Post Office vehicles.
The canteen did make some nice sandwiches, but their bread and butter pudding was really something - I used to take it home for my Mom!!
Best wishes,
Boomy