Organising War Munitions Production in Nottingham & District, 1st July 1915

“LOCAL FIRMS AND WAR MUNITIONS.

“In view of what is being done by the Nottingham City and County Munitions Committee in order to embark upon the work of organising local engineering firms and placing their resources at the services of the Government, it is encouraging to find that some local firms have for many months been turning out little but munitions.

“What impresses one particularly when passing through the workshops, filled with the vehicles and their components in all stages of manufacture, is the initiative and organisation that must have been exercised in arranging the production of the numerous parts of which the vehicles are composed. Many of the parts were produced in the district under subcontracts, but where any difficulty had been experienced the firm put down new plant, and in many cases are now supplying parts to others.

“The shortage of wheels at the beginning of the war was keenly felt, owing to the advent of motors having driven the wheelwrights’ business into other channels. First requirements were, however, assured by instructing the local coachbuilders in the work, but eventually the firm put down special plant themselves in order to augment the supply.

“The necessity of exact interchangeability with all war material is clearly demonstrated, for standard stores have to fit all or any of the waggons, and Government examiners were busy gauging and stamping the various parts prior to loading up for despatch. If such people as waggon builders can reorganise their skilled labour, machinery, and plant to work to the exactitude required for munitions of war, the committee now formed should find all they require forthcoming from engineering firms and lace machine builders of Nottingham.”

'Nottingham Evening Post', 1st July 1915.

Image: Imperial War Museum.