H W Wards Lathe Makers, Selly Oak. Any ex Apprentices out there?

[bridget holliday]

Hello Phil, I was a technical apprentice from 1967 to 1971, when I shortened the apprenticeship to 4 years so that I could take a job at the Worcester plant. I remember Phil Luke very well. Having recently left school I remember being told off by him for calling him sir! My first placement on the shop floor was on the screw section, which was run by a section leader called Bass, but I can't remember his first name. The labourer was called Johnny. After that I too was on the 7D section under Harry Woodward. The big day came for me to take the lead in lowering a turret saddle on to a bed. Despite great care, when the saddle was moved along the bed there was an awful noise and it was scratched! Harry was far from impressed as the machine had to be stripped so that the bed could be reground! I had a placement in R&D and I remember Edgar Powell and Dilip Chawathe very well. Dilip was very bright. I think I also remember Steve Pitman. Was he an apprentice that the company had sponsored through university? You must have been in R&D when I was there. I went to work in the drawing office at Worcester and was part of the team that designed the tooling for the 10D Autoward. I left the company in 1973 to work on light commercial vehicles at British Leyland, Longbridge. I have many happy memories of H W Ward, both in Selly Oak and Worcester. I remember fellow apprentices, Trevor Hemus and Neil Buffery, who bought a house near where I was living in 1975.

Hallo, my father Vin Dufficy worked in the Worcester office for many years. He loved working at Wards, I wonder if you remember him.He died in 1967 aged only 55years.

 

[Denis0151]

Hallo, my father Vin Dufficy worked in the Worcester office for many years. He loved working at Wards, I wonder if you remember him.He died in 1967 aged only 55years.

I don’t I’m afraid. As a Selly Oak apprentice, my first period of work in the Worcester drawing office was in 1969.

 

[Denis0151]

Hello John, we worked together in the Methods Dept in HWWards along with Roger Parish, Vince Mercer,
great Memories of working for Martin Clee
keep safe. Richard ( Dick ) Page

Hello Dick, I remember working with you in the methods office during my technical apprenticeship. I guess it would have been during 1970. I remember working with Roger Parish on the ERTO scheme. I was playing in a band at the time and helped Roger move house using the group van. I also remember Carol Butler. We both got told off for chatting to each other too much! Denis McCann

 

[tcameron]

Not sure if George Hooson (grandfather) designer / chief designer at H W Ward & Co was an apprentice there? but please find attached a list of students' and exam results. Unfortunately, I don't have the certificate or know when or where he studied, but am guessing it might have been the 1920's or 1930's and at a technical college possibly in the Birmingham area? Does anyone recognise any of the other student's names? or have any thoughts about the name and location of the college?

Thanks & regards,

Mick Hooson

Hello, I’m am trying to get some information on a race car I believe was built by the apprentices at HW Ward in the 1960’s. It’s a lovely well built car which I am restoring and hoping to compete in but I would like some info if anyone knows anything. Thank you so much in advance

 

[tcameron]

I was an apprentice at Selly Oak 1960/1966 and remained with Wards and associate companies EW Machines and EW Marine till 1982. I have many happy memories working with Fred Litchfield (sadly no longer with us ) Ron Arkley,Ivor Myttion Martin Clee and of course David Godwin (hope your keeping well David)

Hi to all the H W Wards family, I served my apprenticeship 1966 to 1971. My training officer was Phil Luke, good man. I had my machine shop training, remember Ron Bass well, good man and I had the fitting bench training. I spent time in Design Office and Jig & Tool/process planning Office. After Selly Oak closed went to Worcester before moving on. Everyday at Selly Oak we played football. I became a member of the table tennis team playing in the local league. I remember quite a lot of the names mentioned and stayed friends with personal friends on FB. Wards was recognised as a quality Engineering Company with the apprenticeship scheme being one of the best. Retired and happy with lots of great memories. Roger
(Other names remembered - Sue and Paul Coleman, Roger Parish, Malcolm Day, Roger Harris, Dickie Page, Bob Williams, Jim Salmons?

Hello, I’m am trying to get some information on a race car I believe was built by the apprentices at HW Ward in the 1960’s. It’s a lovely well built car which I am restoring and hoping to compete in but I would like some info if anyone knows anything. Thank you so much in advance
My phone number is 07929381483.
Please would you be able to share the this with anyone who may have worked on this car as I’m sure they would love to see it again