William and Rebecca James had two children, both born in Sutton. Arthur had one half-cousin.
On the outbreak of WWII, the factory was mobilised. The manufacturing of cars was largely
abandoned and the machines were turned to the production of armour-piercing ammunition for the QF 2-pounder, QF 6-pounder and QF 17-pounder anti-tank guns, steel boxes, jerricans, mines, depth charges and helmets.
Longbridge also produced parts for tanks, while aircraft were produced at the Austin Aero shadow factory at nearby Cofton Hackett. Fairey Battle light bombers, Mercury and Pegasus aero engines were produced, along with the Short Stirling four-engined heavy bomber and Hawker Hurricane fighter. Nearly 3,000 aircraft were built, along with 36,000 suspension units.
Bren guns and mortars were manufactured in West Works, in the area later known as West 4 Upper.
Trentham buildings, Number 2 paint shop, was still referred to as the Beaufighter line by some people during the 1970s.
The building known as the Flight Shed in Cofton Lane was where the airframes received their final quality check and wings were fitted to Hurricane fighters. Lancaster wings were fitted as the aircraft left the shed. Hurricanes were lifted up the raised airfield on a motorised skid. The skids were still there at the rear of the Flight Shed during the 1980s. Lancaster bombers were transported by road to RAF Elmdon for flight testing.
Having such a concentration of wartime production meant that the area was a prime target for bombers. Erdington was made famous for being the first part of England to be bombed by the Germans, who had presumably been trying to hit Longbridge. (Wikipedia)
- 49.1.1 - John Wheaver (1850-1927) m Caroline Ann Barnes (1845-1931)
- William's stepson
- See Chapter 57
- 49.1.2 - Hannah James (1857-1930) m William Parker Freeman (1853)
- William (Will) James Freeman (1885)
- 1901: Lodging, along with his parents, in Sheffield Road, Sutton. Office worker.
- Married Annie Oscroft (1873) - no known children
- 1939: Boarder at 37 Bidford Road, Birmingham. Motor body assembler. The address is about a mile from the Austin works at Longbridge, the only significant vehicle manufacturer in Birmingham.
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| Longbridge Plant, 2010 (Ell Brown) |
Typical Austin Vehicles made at Longbridge 1935-1942
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| Austin K2 Breakdown Truck, 1937 (my photo) |
 |
| Austin Ambulance, 1939 (my photo) |
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| Austin K3 4x2 Civil Defence Truck, 1942 (my photo) |
Longbridge in WWII
Longbridge also produced parts for tanks, while aircraft were produced at the Austin Aero shadow factory at nearby Cofton Hackett. Fairey Battle light bombers, Mercury and Pegasus aero engines were produced, along with the Short Stirling four-engined heavy bomber and Hawker Hurricane fighter. Nearly 3,000 aircraft were built, along with 36,000 suspension units.
Bren guns and mortars were manufactured in West Works, in the area later known as West 4 Upper.
Trentham buildings, Number 2 paint shop, was still referred to as the Beaufighter line by some people during the 1970s.
The building known as the Flight Shed in Cofton Lane was where the airframes received their final quality check and wings were fitted to Hurricane fighters. Lancaster wings were fitted as the aircraft left the shed. Hurricanes were lifted up the raised airfield on a motorised skid. The skids were still there at the rear of the Flight Shed during the 1980s. Lancaster bombers were transported by road to RAF Elmdon for flight testing.
Having such a concentration of wartime production meant that the area was a prime target for bombers. Erdington was made famous for being the first part of England to be bombed by the Germans, who had presumably been trying to hit Longbridge. (Wikipedia)
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