A Leading Distributor's Contribution to Victory
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AS distributor a Morris cars and Morris-Commercial . vehicles in London and South-east Essex, one of the first anxieties of Stewart and Ardent, Ltd., Morris House, Empress Place, Lillie Road, London, S.W.6, at the outbreak of war was to ensure the supply of replacement parts and to maintain servicing facilities for these makes of vehicles used on essential work.
No opportunity was lost to carry out this policy to the fullest. extent „permitted by circumstances, and the success . of the concern's efforts in this direction is borne out by tributes paid by operators.
Plans were quickly instituted for the repair of Service vehicles, and, since those early days, several' thousand vehicles have been completely rebuilt and returned to the Army from the company's Army auxiliary workshops. In addition, there have been rnachinas for the R.A.F. and C.D. service, together with reconditioning work on an immense quantity of engine, gearbox, and axle units.
Although the concern's activities in connection with the foregoing have been extensive, they represent but one .side of its war effort. In 1939 a school for the training of Class 2 vehicle fitters was established at Acton, and over 2,500 men have been handed back to the Army, with a full training in this important branch of the Service.
At about the same time, Stewart and Ardern, Ltd., was asked to undertake the repair and reconditioning a a variety, of machine tools, many cf which had been badly damaged as the result of enemy action. This specialised, and highly skilled work was carried out with such satisfaction to the authorities that the contract continued for over four years under Machine Tool Control.
Building Machine Tools
The company Vuilt all the special lathes to equip the machine shop, in which components of the 3-in, A.A. rocket were made. Through this effort a delay of several months was saved in the production of this vital weapon, as the alternative was to await delivery of suitable equipment from America. In addition to its contribution to the pro
duction of this weapon, Stewart and Ardern, Ltd., also manufactured large quantities of components for the airborne and naval rockets.
The general machine shop and tool room were expanded to undertake the jigging, tooling, and machining of a variety of aircraft components for such machines as the Lancaster, Sunderland, Mosquito, Seaftre, and Typhoon, and this work involved 2,719,973 machining operations ofa colnplex nature, Both in the way of deVelopment and production, considerable work was also carried out for the Admiralty and the M.O.S. (Fighting Vehicle Section).
The tool room not only satisfied the direct demdrids of the company, but it produced a large variety of jigs, tools— including press tools—and gauges for other well-known concerns engaged on munition work.
When the supply of new cars came to an end, which, of course, was fairly early in the war, the floor space which. thus became available Was devoted to -the unboxing and assembly ,of American lorries, reconditioning of searchlight generator sets, and the overhauling of artillery limbers, compressors, and pontoons.
In the meantime, the concern's coachwork section, having 'completed all outstanding contracts for civilian bodywork, undertook the producton cf ammunition boxes, and R.E. stores, including bridging equipment and kindred wood and metal components.This was followed by the creation of a prototype " Cornmandei's Car". and ttie production of hundreds of this type of body, which Were mounted on Ameri can chassis .
Whilst the coachwork section was thus engaged, a portion of the factory was put into production on tanks for aircraft, and . some 9,000 of various types were made. Many of these tanks were of intricate design calling for considerable skill from the operatives.
At an outlying depot a repair section has been engaged in the overhaul of aircraft components, of which 1,200 have been dealt with. '
Under many difficulties the sale of used cars and commercial vehicles has been carried on, the machines thus handled being for essential work. Now an increasing number of new MorrisCommercials is coming through for acquisition udder M.O.W.T. licence. We think it will be generally agreed that the foregoing outline of the wartime activities of this well-known distributor is indicative of a splendid achievement, and one on which it can justifiably feel proud.