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GEC WITTON WORKS
- Thread starter The Baron
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The Baron
master brummie
Office Retirements
Those were the days of many a good man had to retire,These pics are of the Retirement of Mr A.T DAVIS Cost dept Large Rotating Plant Div; WITTON. Late 1960s
Presentation by Mr FRANK KROUSE M.D.
Gifts Presented by Mr ALF COUTTS LTG Sales & all work mates
Unknown switchgear progress office retirement?
Those were the days of many a good man had to retire,These pics are of the Retirement of Mr A.T DAVIS Cost dept Large Rotating Plant Div; WITTON. Late 1960s
Presentation by Mr FRANK KROUSE M.D.
Gifts Presented by Mr ALF COUTTS LTG Sales & all work mates
Unknown switchgear progress office retirement?
Last edited:
The Baron
master brummie
More G.e.c. Pics
These pictures are from my late Dads days in Switch Progress Dept;
1st: faces that I remember are TED PAINTING,BUNNY GREEN,TOMMY HUGHES.
2nd:CHRISTMAS. TOMMY HUGHES, BILL JENNEY(My Dad),DEREK MATTHEWS(My Cousin),FRED TAYLOR,FRED WILLIAMS,RONNY CAROLL,JOSIE BAYLIS,ARTHUR SUTTON.
3rd:RONNY CAROLL'S leaving presentation.
If any one came add any names to faces please let me know.
ASTON
These pictures are from my late Dads days in Switch Progress Dept;
1st: faces that I remember are TED PAINTING,BUNNY GREEN,TOMMY HUGHES.
2nd:CHRISTMAS. TOMMY HUGHES, BILL JENNEY(My Dad),DEREK MATTHEWS(My Cousin),FRED TAYLOR,FRED WILLIAMS,RONNY CAROLL,JOSIE BAYLIS,ARTHUR SUTTON.
3rd:RONNY CAROLL'S leaving presentation.
If any one came add any names to faces please let me know.
ASTON
The Baron
master brummie
G.e.c. Witton Kramer
WITTON KRAMER: Who are now part of the BROOK CROMPTON Manufacturing Group, started life at the end of the 1908 in Bath, Somerset.when John B Kramer founded Kamos Ltd.He was a pioneer of small electric drilling and grinding machines, electric lifting magnets and monorail hoists.
In 1909 he came to Birmingham to join his business with the General Electric Company at Witton. Here under the name Witton Kramer Electric Tool and Hoist Works he manufactured on a much larger scale than hitherto; products now also included separator magnets, brakes,clutches and solenoids.
During World War 1, Mr Kramer, who was born and grew up in pre-war Germany,worked closely with several branches of the British Goverment. He was engaged to develop the Sir Percy Scott Electro-magnet mine and the Kramer Kapp Detector was tried in connection with trench signalling experiments.
After the war he resumed his private research work, resulting in the descovery of the use of weaker radioactive substances for medical use, meanwhile production continued to grow at Witton, primarily of large lifting magnets, solenoids, brakes and clutches, cranes & hoists, electric hand drills, grinders and a wide range of photo-electric equipment.
Although Mr Kramer retired from the now well known Witton Kramer in 1939, their efforts in World War 2 were massive.The full scope of their experiments and product developments are too vast to name, butmajor products included mine detectors, magnets to immobilise the clocks in tme-delay bombs and slip ring columns for guns and radar towers. However, the importance of this work is clearly underlined by the personal visit of General Montgomery who came to the Witton Kramer works on 9th March 1944 to inspect the production layout and address the workforce on the importance of thier work.
After the war during the 50s, 60s and 70s, Witton Kramer continued to manufacture the core products brakes,solenids, clutches,magnets photo-electric equipment, and expanded theranbge with new product development,including PMA,PMDand MTWK brakes following the amalgamation of AEI English Eletric, Witton Kramer took on the new production of Perigrip Brakes and Trustors from other parts of the new group.
During the company rationalisation programme, the Witton site became redundant and it was necessary to moveWitton Kramer.In 1984, the commercial and engineering departments together with the brake and thrustor production moved to GEC small machines factory at Blackheath. Production of large lifting magnets was transfered to Magnet Electical repairs Ltd (now Cegelec Electical Services Ltd) at Swansea.
In the 1980s and 90s, although the company offered a wide range of brakes and trustors, growth was only slight compared to the that of the boom industries of the period, such as elecronics and computers.
The GEC small Machines company was sold to Hawker Siddeley in 1989, which in turn was bought by BTR in 1991, who merged with Seibe to form the Invensys Group. WITTON KRAMER IS NOW PART OF BROOK CROMPTON, AN Lindeteves-Jacoberg company.
So ends the story of a great company born ON THE WITTON ESTATE.
WITTON KRAMER: Who are now part of the BROOK CROMPTON Manufacturing Group, started life at the end of the 1908 in Bath, Somerset.when John B Kramer founded Kamos Ltd.He was a pioneer of small electric drilling and grinding machines, electric lifting magnets and monorail hoists.
In 1909 he came to Birmingham to join his business with the General Electric Company at Witton. Here under the name Witton Kramer Electric Tool and Hoist Works he manufactured on a much larger scale than hitherto; products now also included separator magnets, brakes,clutches and solenoids.
During World War 1, Mr Kramer, who was born and grew up in pre-war Germany,worked closely with several branches of the British Goverment. He was engaged to develop the Sir Percy Scott Electro-magnet mine and the Kramer Kapp Detector was tried in connection with trench signalling experiments.
After the war he resumed his private research work, resulting in the descovery of the use of weaker radioactive substances for medical use, meanwhile production continued to grow at Witton, primarily of large lifting magnets, solenoids, brakes and clutches, cranes & hoists, electric hand drills, grinders and a wide range of photo-electric equipment.
Although Mr Kramer retired from the now well known Witton Kramer in 1939, their efforts in World War 2 were massive.The full scope of their experiments and product developments are too vast to name, butmajor products included mine detectors, magnets to immobilise the clocks in tme-delay bombs and slip ring columns for guns and radar towers. However, the importance of this work is clearly underlined by the personal visit of General Montgomery who came to the Witton Kramer works on 9th March 1944 to inspect the production layout and address the workforce on the importance of thier work.
After the war during the 50s, 60s and 70s, Witton Kramer continued to manufacture the core products brakes,solenids, clutches,magnets photo-electric equipment, and expanded theranbge with new product development,including PMA,PMDand MTWK brakes following the amalgamation of AEI English Eletric, Witton Kramer took on the new production of Perigrip Brakes and Trustors from other parts of the new group.
During the company rationalisation programme, the Witton site became redundant and it was necessary to moveWitton Kramer.In 1984, the commercial and engineering departments together with the brake and thrustor production moved to GEC small machines factory at Blackheath. Production of large lifting magnets was transfered to Magnet Electical repairs Ltd (now Cegelec Electical Services Ltd) at Swansea.
In the 1980s and 90s, although the company offered a wide range of brakes and trustors, growth was only slight compared to the that of the boom industries of the period, such as elecronics and computers.
The GEC small Machines company was sold to Hawker Siddeley in 1989, which in turn was bought by BTR in 1991, who merged with Seibe to form the Invensys Group. WITTON KRAMER IS NOW PART OF BROOK CROMPTON, AN Lindeteves-Jacoberg company.
So ends the story of a great company born ON THE WITTON ESTATE.
The Baron
master brummie
dollyferret, the picture of yours showing the front door of the GEC Admin; Block has a story, When I joined the GEC as an Apprentice in 1957 the story we were told about the round feature under the wings over the door, was that if the Germans had won the war that is were the swastika would have been put, this was due to the company being founded by Mr HURST A GERMAN BY BIRTH.As a young lad straight out of school this fascinated me and all my fellow Apprentices.
D
dollyferret
Guest
i went back today and stared up at that circle just to imagine a swastika in it,the hairs on the back of my neck went up,normally my disposition about life is that its all good fun,but staring up there it felt like i had been transported back to an evil place,it was really a a very strange and sobering thought
D
dollyferret
Guest
as an experiment,any of you clever guys or gals out there,would it be possible to superimpose a aswastika on the photo,and print it in say the restricted area of the forum so as not to cause offence ,then you might experience what i felt today.it could called distateful ,but restricted access would make one think very serously of the consequencies,not much fases me,but this image certainly did .YOU TRY IT
I never heard that story and to tell you the truth I had never noticed this feature before reading about it here. Can't say that I was in that building more than a couple of times but passed it every day on the way to the Magnet Club for lunch/dinner. Since the Nazis did not win the war I notice that the RAF arundels were not installed though. The first wage packet that I recieved there was 10s & 6d. Did'nt go far even in those days. After a year though I think we got a five bob raise.
I suppose that was par for the course but somehow I have difficulty feeling nostalgic about those days
I suppose that was par for the course but somehow I have difficulty feeling nostalgic about those days
The Baron
master brummie
Rupert, at least folks seemed to be Happier in there job's In my days at WITTON .They had time to have a joke with work mates and still produce World beating products. My wages as a E.D.O. Apprentice 30/- (£1.50p in todays money) at the age of 21 I actualy made the £1000/year while working in the Relay Shop Switchgear Works.When that dept closed in 1960 I moved in to THE MAIN ADMI; BLOCK, ROTATING PLANT SALES DEPT,(TAKING A DROP IN SALARY AS IT WAS CLASSED TRAINING) I was on £10/week for the next 2 years.
In those day you did not get full salary untill you reached the age of 25 on the staff. Then and only then could you join the pension fund and expect to get an annual pay rise.
Do you remember the old commisionair on that main door only the big boys got to go in that way the likes of Mr Grace, Mr Morton, Mr Krouse etc;
The side doors would have to do for us plebs,that was untill C.A.PARSONS took over.On becoming a Senior Contract Engineer within Projects Dept;I at last got to go up these hallowed steps and in through that portal.
dollyferret,why the worry it did not happen, do you really wish to see that thing up there on such a greand old building Ido not think so.
In those day you did not get full salary untill you reached the age of 25 on the staff. Then and only then could you join the pension fund and expect to get an annual pay rise.
Do you remember the old commisionair on that main door only the big boys got to go in that way the likes of Mr Grace, Mr Morton, Mr Krouse etc;
The side doors would have to do for us plebs,that was untill C.A.PARSONS took over.On becoming a Senior Contract Engineer within Projects Dept;I at last got to go up these hallowed steps and in through that portal.
dollyferret,why the worry it did not happen, do you really wish to see that thing up there on such a greand old building Ido not think so.
The Baron
master brummie
Do you remember when you had to drive through a building site to get to and from the magnet club,that wsa when they were building the motorway and Gravely inter change. what a mess how ever they made it turn out OK I will never know, these road builder are so clever.
This is a pic taken from my car on our way back from lunch way back then.
This is a pic taken from my car on our way back from lunch way back then.
HI ASTON,
I,ve Just Been Reading Your Thread On The Old GEC At Witton
And I Seen The Word Parson,s Mentioned As A Senior Contractors .
My Old Father In Law Worked At Parsons GEC
For About Thirty Years At Least He Was An Forman , And Senior Inspector
There , He Died About Four Or Five Years Ago
He Lived In WRYLEY wAY Erdinton
And His Name Was Charlie Williams , Just Wondering Whether You Ever Came Across Him .
I,ve Just Been Reading Your Thread On The Old GEC At Witton
And I Seen The Word Parson,s Mentioned As A Senior Contractors .
My Old Father In Law Worked At Parsons GEC
For About Thirty Years At Least He Was An Forman , And Senior Inspector
There , He Died About Four Or Five Years Ago
He Lived In WRYLEY wAY Erdinton
And His Name Was Charlie Williams , Just Wondering Whether You Ever Came Across Him .
S
Stafford Fred
Guest
Stafford Fred.
Was an a GEC apprentice in 1965, a C A Parsons apprentice in 1965
Worked with Tom Dilworth, Kieth Richardson in Projects moved into Tyburn Road after the closure of Witton.
Then worked at GEC Rugby, GEC Stafford, Parsons Peebles, Clarke Chapman, Dowding & Mills and now AREVA T & D (old Gec Measurements Stafford Site)
In answer to your question Viv Horder died several years ago. Kieth Richardson is still going strong as is Tom after two new hips.
Jim Allworth has changed his name to Stafford Fred.
Regards to all old Witton stars.
Was an a GEC apprentice in 1965, a C A Parsons apprentice in 1965
Worked with Tom Dilworth, Kieth Richardson in Projects moved into Tyburn Road after the closure of Witton.
Then worked at GEC Rugby, GEC Stafford, Parsons Peebles, Clarke Chapman, Dowding & Mills and now AREVA T & D (old Gec Measurements Stafford Site)
In answer to your question Viv Horder died several years ago. Kieth Richardson is still going strong as is Tom after two new hips.
Jim Allworth has changed his name to Stafford Fred.
Regards to all old Witton stars.
S
Stafford Fred
Guest
Stafford Fred
Yes I remember Keith Jenny. We shared a car for three Years following Witton Closure when he, Ray Ashdown and I worked at Rugby.
Viv Horder, Keith and I used to watch the local cloggers at Villa Park.
Regards
Yes I remember Keith Jenny. We shared a car for three Years following Witton Closure when he, Ray Ashdown and I worked at Rugby.
Viv Horder, Keith and I used to watch the local cloggers at Villa Park.
Regards
O
O.C.
Guest
Aston during the terrible winter of 1947 the GEC at Witton was shut till the weather improved, here is a photo of the toolmakers on their first day back.......they were all sent telegrams telling them to come back to work
The Baron
master brummie
old times remembered
Thank for that one Cromwell, they do not look very happy about being back,only the foreman has a smile.
I was 7 years old & living in Ward end at that time.
My dad had been working in the Beacon shop making air field beacon's for the RAF before that & had just moved into 45 stores in the high tention dept around about the time of that photo.
Iwish he was here to see all the memories posted on this site,he would have many a tale to tell about the old day's at witton.
I wished I had asked more, but when you are young you only think about today.???
ASTON
Thank for that one Cromwell, they do not look very happy about being back,only the foreman has a smile.
I was 7 years old & living in Ward end at that time.
My dad had been working in the Beacon shop making air field beacon's for the RAF before that & had just moved into 45 stores in the high tention dept around about the time of that photo.
Iwish he was here to see all the memories posted on this site,he would have many a tale to tell about the old day's at witton.
I wished I had asked more, but when you are young you only think about today.???
ASTON
S
Stafford Fred
Guest
Here attached is a photograph of all that was left of GEC machines design and Peebles Projects when it moved from Witton to Tyburn road.
George Bebe is not on the Photo as he took it,
George Bebe is not on the Photo as he took it,
The Baron
master brummie
projects photo
Hi jim I lost my copy of that photo can you post it as a jpeg as Iam having problems downloading it from the format you have uploaded it in.
Its nice to see all those old faces again.HAD SOME GOOD TIMES you me & old Viv rest his sole.
Please get in touch.
ASTON (Keith Jenney)
Hi jim I lost my copy of that photo can you post it as a jpeg as Iam having problems downloading it from the format you have uploaded it in.
Its nice to see all those old faces again.HAD SOME GOOD TIMES you me & old Viv rest his sole.
Please get in touch.
ASTON (Keith Jenney)
C
Chokes
Guest
Gec
Anyone know anyone in switchgear inspection 1952/3?
Which section of Transformer DO did you work in.?Remember GGMorris, the Boss.? I was in Transformer Design Esytimating Chokes. Did you know Pete Cashmore Choke section DO.?
The motor on the plinth (Higg motors) was a 1 HP I believe in a large body. It is reputed to have run from when the factory was first built.
Anyone know anyone in switchgear inspection 1952/3?
Which section of Transformer DO did you work in.?Remember GGMorris, the Boss.? I was in Transformer Design Esytimating Chokes. Did you know Pete Cashmore Choke section DO.?
The motor on the plinth (Higg motors) was a 1 HP I believe in a large body. It is reputed to have run from when the factory was first built.
Last edited by a moderator:
The Baron
master brummie
Open Days
Hi Did you ever go to the works open day and see the Transfomer Test High voltage flash over from those large copper balls, it was just like a thunder clap,
My Dad took me to see the office were he worked ,got me hooked just had to join GEC when I left School,my first job as a GEC Apprentice was in E.D.O Over in the admin block my section leader was a Mr ROBERTS we never called any one by there first names back then.
Fetching tracings from the drawing stores getting the sections tea & the odd days on the drawing board ,ho and one day a week back at ASTON TECH & three nights NIGHT SCHOOL.It seemed hard at the time but it all worked out for the best in later life.
KEEP POSTING THEM MEMORIES
ASTON
and any pics of time spent with GEC
Hi Did you ever go to the works open day and see the Transfomer Test High voltage flash over from those large copper balls, it was just like a thunder clap,
My Dad took me to see the office were he worked ,got me hooked just had to join GEC when I left School,my first job as a GEC Apprentice was in E.D.O Over in the admin block my section leader was a Mr ROBERTS we never called any one by there first names back then.
Fetching tracings from the drawing stores getting the sections tea & the odd days on the drawing board ,ho and one day a week back at ASTON TECH & three nights NIGHT SCHOOL.It seemed hard at the time but it all worked out for the best in later life.
KEEP POSTING THEM MEMORIES
ASTON
and any pics of time spent with GEC