Wigan Album
Walkers Engineering.
6 CommentsPhoto: john Staveley
Item #: 31957
In 1945 they employed 1200 workers at their Pagefield Iron works in Frog Lane and exported products all over the world
This photo taken in 1930 shows a 10000 cubic feet steam driven Compressor for South Africa and the men who made it
A young Jack Staveley serving his apprenticeship aged 17 next to compressor on the left
I have a copy of this photo somewhere as my father ,Jack Benfold , is on it He is fourth from the right on the third row back ,and was a sixteen year old apprentice in 1930
Colin I remember the name Jack Benfold and recall my father speaking highly of him. Is he the gentleman on the left of gentleman with moustache?
Yes John he is the chap you pointed out Thanks for your kind comments ,he was a great Dad
My Grandfather Edward Holmes is fourth from the right front row. My father followed in his footsteps, Charlie Holmes worked there for well over thirty years as a crane driver he's ninety two years old now and still going strong. Thank you for sharing this photo.
Valerie thank you for your kind comment. For posterity I presume that your grandfather Edward Holmes is the gentleman with clasped hands behind (Wigan) Ltd on the photo. I didn’t know your father Charlie Holmes personally but as far as I am concerned it was people like your father who made working at Pagefield works feel like being part of one huge family. As such please pass on my very best regards.
Thank you for your kind reply John. Yes that is my grandfather with clasped hands, I will certainly pass on your regards to my father. Thank you again for sharing the photo.