Document Request: Cyril meets the Bletchingley Risbridgers p 2/2
Document Description: A meeting in Bletchingley on 30/04/1994 when the local history of the Risbridgers was recounted.
Transcription URL: https://risbridger.surnametree.com/library/vdocs/D_356#356
Document Transcription:… were blocks of four, 1-8 North and 1-8 South and were demolished except nos 7&8 N&S by the Council because they were unfit for human habitation.
The item for which the company is best known locally as the adaptation of the American Wayne petrol pump. Risbridgers made the first electric British made petrol pump (of bronze) Mr Smayles (once of Sydenham) made hand pumps for the Wayne Tank & Pump Co (the 367) in the US.
They were shipped here in packing cases (the lumber from which was so good that it still forms the framework in the company’s offices).
They were patented after the Board of Trade approved the adaptation in 1934 (William was made AM (McE as a result) certificate with Risbridgers.
The first pumps were hand driven. A glass container was filled and gravity took it into the vehicle. (NO518). The company was involved with fuel installations in WWII though William drew from WWI experience (tank cleaning and quick filling of airships at 500 galls/min).
The factory had been expanded on to the land south of Stychens Cottages when the Wayne pumps were being shipped in in large numbers.
So when war came and women were employed for the first time (? 2 shifts of 40 or 3 shifts of 30) they were able to adapt quickly to make filter housings. fuse caps [illeg] and parts for the Spitfire. In all they employed some 400 people (H & V in Deptford, they had taken over Goodwins and the factory here).
Little stories:
- newspaper cutting of car “racing furiously down Windmill [Hill].”
- Dad’s 1930 rover made of cork and canvas and hood made up about 1930.
- Gibbs the policeman of Barfields.
- Charlie Brown in bungalow beside factory (brother was hairdresser).
- John Allen (China) Mother in top house by Ch. Hse.
- Orchard and pigs - dads [illeg] strap when they let them out!
- who shot himself in stomach in Lyons (not killed) was it Matt [Guil’s] adopted son knobby?
Pumps in Wray Park Garage - S. Nutfield have remain of swing [arm]. [Mavercotts] had gone (15 yrs ago)
I saw one with two glass containers labelled Hammond at Cooks Garage Northwood 26312 beside Giltcharm Prop Gr 30/4/94. Risbridgers want one of their own.
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