Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum'

Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum'
[ Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum' ]

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Reyrolle’s during WW2 what did they make

Posted by Allan Campbell on 26/10/2024, 5:39:58

I have no idea what Reyrolle’s made for the war effort.

They would make their normal stuff for maintenance of the power system and providing gear to power new factories.

I know that they did refit some or all of the electrical equipment and wiring on the submarine HMS Thetis as Dad said that he did some work in or for her.

Thetis was renamed Thunderbolt when re commissioned.

Did someone on the board say that they assembled Borfor guns?

Any info folks ?

Allan C.

Re: Reyrolle’s during WW2 what did they make

Posted by Mac C on 26/10/2024, 10:18:27, in reply to "Reyrolle’s during WW2 what did they make"

At an educated guess I would say "mostly what they specialised in!" In times of war switchgear was prone to attack and damage and constantly needed replacement.
But there was an assembly operation for Bofors at Pelaw CWS properties and some Reyrolle employees were seconded to work on the electronic elements

Re: Reyrolle’s during WW2 what did they make

Posted by Norman Dunn on 26/10/2024, 11:58:35, in reply to "Re: Reyrolle’s during WW2 what did they make"

This info comes from Robert Owens's book about Reyrolles
In WW2, Reyrolle's created a Local Defence Unit - L.D.U, commonly known as the Home Guard to protect the works from possible saboteurs Over 300 employees were recruited and they shared five rifles. They recognised the need for speed so had a platoon of cyclists, complete with puncture outfits. This was initially considered as something of a curiosity, but like metal clad switchgear was soon widely copied. In spite of this "saboteurs" did penetrate the Company's defences in 1944, when two plain-clothes police sergeants entered the West Gate under false pretences, and exposed the poor security so an internal inquiry was held and reprimands followed.

One contract they had from the Government was large so they had to ask Pelaw Co-op if they could offer space. Hence why Reyrolles used the CWS premises in Pelaw.

Re: Reyrolle’s during WW2 what did they make

Posted by Mac C on 26/10/2024, 12:20:54, in reply to "Re: Reyrolle’s during WW2 what did they make"

Thanks for the corroboration re Pelaw CWS Norman.

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