Sanderson Bros. and Newbould/Sanderson Kayser

[Kidorry 189]

Hello all,

I'm just working on a mural on the former Sanderson Brothers and Newbould works (Newhall Road, Attercliffe). Its really to celebrate the history of the company and also re-instate the war memorial plaques that are currently in storage.

 

Does anyone have any stories, memories or facts that they can share?

Theres some incredible history attached to the building and the people who worked there:

The sword of Stalingrad was forged there.

It was the second largest manufacturer of bayonets in the UK.

It produced cavalry officers swords for both great wars.

It set up its own sister company in America (to get around trade restrictions).

It had its own dedicated steam train service using existing lines in the area.

 

I'd be very grateful if anyone had any gems of information or stories that they could kindly share...I really want the people working there now to appreciate what happened on that important site.

 

Many thanks!

 

I feel I must correct you there because the Stalingrad swords steel was made at S.B.N and rolled by Joe Crookes and then sent to Wilkinson Sword to be shaped by a 93 year old swordsmith and then embellished by a 23 year old corporal from the R.A.F.

A topic is on it somewhere on the forum.

Edited February 23, 2018 by Kidorry
spelling mistake

[misty3 11]

My great grandfather and great uncle worked there, between the wars, and my Mum and Dad in the 40s , I have some old books in the loft I will look for.

[okismoki 10]

My uncle,Arthur Glasby,worked at Sandersons for many a year, lived straight over the wall on Newhall road.

[Loxely Man 10]

I worked there in the early 60s it was like an industrial Museum.

[dp59 12]

I feel I must correct you there because the Stalingrad swords steel was made at S.B.N and rolled by Joe Crookes and then sent to Wilkinson Sword to be shaped by a 93 year old swordsmith and then embellished by a 23 year old corporal from the R.A.F.

A topic is on it somewhere on the forum.

 

I worked there in the early 60's 3 directors names I seem to recall were Mr. Bull, Mr Latham and Mr Jack Lonsdale. I believe Jack Lonsdale died in a car accident, think about Christmas time. Jag 3.8? Possibly 1964.

Did someone die as a result of falling into the acid pickling pit. Story I was told, but before I started working there. It's possible that his wife was the receptionist. Can anyone confirm?

[lizbiz 0]

My grandfather, William Rowlinson worked as a miller in the  engineering works about 1930/40s . I have a photo of him at work in an old sanderson brothers work magazine.

 

[lizbiz 0]

My great grandfather, Alfred Rowlinson worked as a Government Sword Viewer at Sanderson Brothers and Newbould, Attercliffe. He inspected swords and bayonets to ensure they were to the highest quality needed for military and Royal family ceremonial occassions. He was later presented with a medal from the royal family for his service. 

[lizbiz 0]

My great grandfather William Taylor lived at the gatehouse and was the timekeeper from about 1891 , I have a very faded photo of him .  

[hehe 10]

I know someone who worked there his name was Tom Gould he was a P O W in the 2nd WW he as a interesting story I think he worked in the saw department 

[Saben 10]

On 06/03/2018 at 16:42, dp59 said:

 

I worked there in the early 60's 3 directors names I seem to recall were Mr. Bull, Mr Latham and Mr Jack Lonsdale. I believe Jack Lonsdale died in a car accident, think about Christmas time. Jag 3.8? Possibly 1964.

Did someone die as a result of falling into the acid pickling pit. Story I was told, but before I started working there. It's possible that his wife was the receptionist. Can anyone confirm?

What happened was that instead of neutralising the acid in the vat as he should have done he decided to open the valve then dash round to a manhole and shovel the neutraliser into the acid as it passed. This would then save him the job of cleaning the tank. Unfortunately he slipped and fell down the manhole so the acid was washing his flesh away as men having heard his screams in the yard next to the joiners shop tried to pull him out. 

[Saben 10]

On ‎21‎/‎02‎/‎2018 at 12:26, Glenn Design said:

Hello all,

I'm just working on a mural on the former Sanderson Brothers and Newbould works (Newhall Road, Attercliffe). Its really to celebrate the history of the company and also re-instate the war memorial plaques that are currently in storage.

 

Does anyone have any stories, memories or facts that they can share?

Theres some incredible history attached to the building and the people who worked there:

The sword of Stalingrad was forged there.

It was the second largest manufacturer of bayonets in the UK.

It produced cavalry officers swords for both great wars.

It set up its own sister company in America (to get around trade restrictions).

It had its own dedicated steam train service using existing lines in the area.

 

I'd be very grateful if anyone had any gems of information or stories that they could kindly share...I really want the people working there now to appreciate what happened on that important site.

 

Many thanks!

My father was in the offices at Sandersons but died before I finished school as a result I was taken on as an apprentice electrician in 1959. Being only 15 I worked in the drawing office 1 year then started my electrical apprenticeship. As a result I did work in every department, handsaws, circular saws, segmental saws, hacksaw blades, files, machine knives, rod and sheet rolling mills, the forge and the melting shop. After Keyser Ellison works had a fire we wired the rebuilt workshop there and the reeling machines that were tranferred there.  There were no swords or bayonets made there at this time. All the handsaws produced went for export as they were the top quality.

The little steam engine was mainly used to bring coal in for the forge furnaces so it became redundant after the forge furnaces were converted to burn oil. The little steam engine was painted with a new livery with the idea of selling it to one of the preserved railways.

We apprentices acted as mates to the electricians and were expected to leave at the end of our apprenticeships to gain more experience. Not only that but the wages were very poor for a 21 year old with the best City &Guilds you could get. I got £10 per week when I could get £15 a week electrical contracting. Those they wished to keep got a £5 a week bonus so I left in 1965.

I did go back a couple of times to repair a specialist machine.

[hehe 10]

Didn’t bob hinchcliff work there and didn’t he run the football team as well I think he was a fitter he used to work at British steel in the 70s