Did you work at the Standard or Triumph – at Canley, Radford, Banner Lane, Northey Road, Allesley, Tile Hill, Western Avenue (London), Bordesley Green (Birmingham), Speke (Liverpool), Berkeley Square (London) or any of the associated sites/companies associated with Standard Triumph? If so, we’d love to hear from you to build a database of names associated with the Standard and Triumph company. Read More HERE. You may notice adverts on the site. You can help this site by clicking on them which supports the archive. Thank you.
I was an apprentice from 1952 to 1957, when I emigrated to Canada with another ex-apprentice, Melvyn Lloyd. My Dad, William Thomas Langford (also 'Bill' of course!), worked at Canley for many years, retiring (I think) in 1966. Mel and I bought a 1956 TR3 between us in May of 1958, which we drove from Toronto to Mexico City and back in two weeks in 1958, and to San Francisco and back in two weeks in 1959. The car never gave us any trouble. In 1960 we traded it in on two brand-new TR3As (one each), picking them up in England when I returned that July to get married: Mel was my best man. I sold that car when I went to university in 1962, but bought a used 1967 TR4A and a (very) used 1960 TR3A in 1980. By then, though, they needed more upkeep than I was prepared to give them! Still love sports cars, and (dare I say it) I'm now on my second Mazda MX-5...- beautiful cars! My wife and I now live in Victoria, British Columbia, while Mel still lives in Toronto. Good luck with this project!
Submitted by: Bill Langford
Langford, William ThomasSubmitted by: Bill Langford
Cost Office Manager c1960's (submitted by Peter Russell)
My Section Leader was Ralf Lawrence who seemed to know absolutely every company part number by heart!
(submitted by Philip Moore)
Submitted by: Peter Russell
Lawrence, Vicky
Worked at Fletchamstead in the purchasing department boss was Mr Taberner, then in Canley in the control room, boss was Fergus altogether from 1963-1966
Submitted by: Vicky Smith (nee Lawrence)
Lawson, David
From School in 1957 until the plant closed
Submitted by: Alan Evans
Lawson, Thomas
Publicity Department.
Joined the company in 1947 working as a guide for visitors until 1955.
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Submitted by: Standard Triumph Works Archive
Lawton, Jim
Security Officer
Submitted by: Gary Daffron
Lawton, Reginald Anthony (Tom)
Worked at Canley for many years, think it was on the inspection.
Submitted by: Gillian Newman (Lawton) Daughter
Laxon, Sidney
50 Years Service
Accounts/Costs Office
Started 1918 (aged 14)
Retired 1968
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32 Years Service (approx 1941 - 1973)
Ref c1948, Banner Lane Costs Office
c1954
Update: Cost Accountant August 1960
32 Years Service
Chief Cost Accountant, 1968
Retired as Chief Cost Accountant, April 1973
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Submitted by: Standard Triumph Works Archive/Tom Braund
Leddington, Bert
My Dad, Bert Leddington worked there in the paint spraying bit
Submitted by: Heather Cox
Lee, Bob
Wish I had a pound for every time I came out the gates good old days great bunch of blokes great memories
Submitted by: Bob Lee
Lee, Charles Henry
15 Years Service. Retired 1957
Died October 14th, 1963 aged 72.
Worked as a bodymaker in the Competition Department and lived in Kenilworth.
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Submitted by: Martin Cox
Lee, Ron (Sooty)
21 shop
Submitted by: Tom Lee
Lee, Tom
I worked in main trim then the new assembly hall
My dad also worked there in 21 shop his name was ron lee better known as sooty
Submitted by: Tom Lee
Lee, Tony
High Speed Development Engineer.
Lee began working for Standard-Triumph in 1946, taking a short break to carry out his National Service before returning to a position in the firm’s Test Rig department in 1947. He got on well working alongside Harry Webster and Walter Belgrove, progressing in his field and quickly becoming recognised as a young talent. One of his earliest projects involved performance testing the first car to be released by Triumph in the wake of the war, the 1800.
His work eventually took him overseas to supervise the implementation of Triumph Herald production in Australia, before taking up the role of Chief Development Engineer.
Despite having a hand in the development of most vehicles to emerge from Canley during his tenure, Lee became well known latterly for his involvement with the TR7 and TR8. He remained passionate about the cars long after his retirement in 1989.
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Submitted by: Triumph Works Archive
Leech, Brian
Experimental apprentice.
I married Mick Leech in September 1965 and pictures of us both appeared in the Standard News. Mick worked in Experimental. His brother Brian served his apprenticeship there and his younger brother worked on Coach building. His dad, Joe, worked there for years but sorry, can't remember what department.
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Submitted by: Anne Leech
Leech, Joe
I married Mick Leech in September 1965 and pictures of us both appeared in the Standard News. Mick worked in Experimental. His brother Brian served his apprenticeship there and his younger brother worked on Coach building. His dad, Joe, worked there for years but sorry, can't remember what department.
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Submitted by: Anne Leech
Leech, Mick
Experimental.
I married Mick Leech in September 1965 and pictures of us both appeared in the Standard News. Mick worked in Experimental. His brother Brian served his apprenticeship there and his younger brother worked on Coach building. His dad, Joe, worked there for years but sorry, can't remember what department.
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Submitted by: Anne Leech
Leedham, Roger
I worked with Jim Macquarie at the Standard Triumph along with Terry Briggs and Roger Leedham
3rd Baron Leigh (1885-1938), investor in Deasy, Austin and connected with Stoneleigh Motors. Director and chairman of Standard
Submitted by: Standard Triumph Works Archive
Lenehan, Thomas
Paint shop worker he worked there for a long while till his death in 1972 aged 62 years. He travelled to work on his bicycle.
Paint Operative
Service 1954-1972
Submitted by: Margaret Lenehan
Lenehan, TomSubmitted by: James Burke
Lenehan, Veronica
Worked in offices for Max Tyzick until about 1968 or 69
When Standard lost the Massey Ferguson contract I moved to Standard Triumph, where I worked in the Plating laboratory at Canley, the Research and Development laboratory at Fletch. South (this laboratory was managed by Gustav Liessman, an ex-German POW parachutist, who stayed on after the war – he was very influential on my training), the heat treatment laboratories at Fletch South and Radford and the Non Metallic laboratory at Fletch North.
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Submitted by: Terry Elliott
Liggings, G, Miss
Secretary to J. H. Holbrook, Transport Executive c1961.
At the time, Mis Liggings had been with the company for 22 years.
Submitted by: Triumph Works Archive
Liggins, Bernard
Manager, Vehicle Sales c1973rn
Submitted by: Triumph Works Archive
Lilley, Jennifer
Assistant Storekeeper. Canley Canteen.
18 years service: 1955-1973
Retired worked in Toolroom at Canley and Fletchamstead.I recognise many of the names on the web site, including track workers where we did the tracking fixtures. Many stories from the war and after were told by my fellow workers and my father Sid, chargehand Turner. The works children's parties used to be a feature every Xmas, we had to go through air frames to get to the canteen for the food. Playing on the field at the back of the social club and on the swings and slides ,now gone. I remember the crashed biplane on the field and the dances that continued through the war as my mother was barmaid and had to take me as my father was on ARP duties at night. I used to sing to the lads in the bar off the counter
Submitted by: Ray Lissaman
Lissaman, Ray
Toolmaker
Submitted by: Ray Lissaman
List, Mike
Castings & Forgings
Buyer
Submitted by: Peter Russell
Litchfield, Paul
I was a technical apprentice from 1964-69. I well remember Geoff Smith and others in your archive.
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Submitted by: Paul Litchfield
Littleford, Dave
Staff Relations Manager
IVY COTTAGE, HR
Submitted by: Bob Owens
Livesey, Frederick
Two days after celebrating his diamond wedding, Mr. Frederick Livesey died in hospital at Exhall on May 16, 1960 aged 83. Mr Livesey retired in 1951, after 21 years' service
Submitted by: Standard Triumph Works Archive
Lloyd D (Mrs)
Spares Fletch South c1961
Submitted by: Triumph Works Archive
Lloyd-Ward (Mr)
Salaries
(Surname not known)
Submitted by: Tom Braund
Lloyd, D Mrs
Recreation Club Office
c1971
Submitted by: Standard Triumph Works Archive
Lloyd, Jessie Submitted by: Standard Triumph Works Archive
Lloyd, John
Joined 1946 rig test technician in the test section of the experimental department at Banner Lane.
Late fifties he was Manager of the Experimental Department.
Director, Chief Engineer of Triumph from 1966 to 1974
Engineering Director of Rover Triumph until he retired in 1980
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Submitted by: Standard Triumph Works Archive
Lloyd, Lenard
John Lloyd’s brother Len was a foreman in engine assembly No 2 shop in the 1960s.. He was responsible for No 5 line where the slant 4 and V8 engines were built. - David Mileham
Len was Johns dad - Susan Emily Freemantle
I worked at triumph and found this very interesting
Submitted by: Steve Lloyd
Lloyd, Steven
Electrician .I started in 1976 and served my apprenticeship with the company. I completed in 1980 and worked as a maintenance electrician at Capmartin Rd until 86, I transferred back to Canley from 86 to 94 and moved to Gaydon where I am now.
Submitted by: Steven Lloyd
Lloyd, Ted
My father Ted Lloyd worked in New assembly hall on production line. I believe he started there in 68 or thereabouts. He took redundancy in 1980 when production was running down. He was known as 'Tambourine Ted.'
Submitted by: Steven Lloyd
Lloyd, Thomas
Body Builder. 13 Years Service
d 1972
Submitted by: Standard Triumph Works Archive
Lockley, Freda
Aircraft tappet inspection. 44/45
Employee check number 3952.
Married after leaving Standard and became Spraggett
Submitted by: Peter Lockley
Loftus, Geoffrey James
Engine Assembly, Canley
Joined 1963
d. Nov 1st, 1968 aged 48
Submitted by: Standard Triumph Works Archive
Lole, EricSubmitted by: Alan Goodwin
Lomas, EricSubmitted by: Standard Triumph Works Archive
Lombard, EdnaSubmitted by: Triumph Works Archive
Longmore, Martin
1968 -1979 Engineering and Technical publications
Read Martin's Life at Standard Triumph HERE
44 years service, Fletch South
Died September 29, 1963 aged 62
Submitted by: Standard Triumph Works Archive
Lord, Frank Kershaw
Consultant, Standard Motor Co., Ltd., from January, 1959
b: April 5, 1893
Served apprenticeship with John Holroyd and Co., Ltd., Milnrow, 1908-14; served with Royal Flying Corps, 1914-18; on engine testing with W. H. Dorman and Co., Ltd., Stafford, 1919-23; ratefixer with James Archdale and Co., Ltd., Birmingham, 1923-25; chief process and planning engineer with Triumph Cycle Co., Ltd., Coventry, 1925-35; Production Manager, Standard Motor Co. Ltd., 1936-50; Special Director (Plant), 1950-56; (Plant and Planning), 1956-58; member of Council, Production Engineering Research Association of Great Britain.
Welder Canley, 10 years service.
Emigrated to South Africa 1973
Submitted by: Standard Triumph Works Archive
Love, Arthur Leslie
He was my father, and sadly died with dementia two years ago. He was a Daimler trained Tinsmith.
Sheet metal worker c1959
"I was there from the start of the Herald, working as a sheet-metalworker in the Standard Triumph Service Department. "I was commissioned to cut the bodywork of a Triumph Herald Coupé* for the sake of advertising; I had to cut the bodywork from front to rear."
* This car, or rather half a car, still exists at the Coventry Transport Museum.
Vehicle Test/Rectification & Emissions Dept at Canley, 1973-1987 approx. Died 21/09/2017 aged 94.
Submitted by: Martin Lovering
Lowe (Mr)
Works Engineer, No. 1 Shadow Factory, 1938
Submitted by: Standard Triumph Works Archive
Lowe, F
of 14, Melville Road. Coventry. Enlisted in the Sherwood Foresters, shown as Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry. Served in the Lancers and was a Reservist: formerly employed by Standard Co. —Killed (buried at Bray Dunes - Nr Dunkirk ED) 29th May 1940
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Chief Buyer - Production Purchasing 1970's until about 1981. Transferred to Land Rover Solihull.
Submitted by: John Cremins
Lyons, Bill
London Depot Service Division, Western Avenue c1967/68
Submitted by: Dave Smith
Submit a Ex-employee To add a name, click on the ‘Submit a Name’ link above. Please add the surname first. Use the format: Smith, John in the name field, then add a description; here you can include a role, location, service dates etc plus any other information you think may be of interest, finishing with your name (you may be submitting on behalf of a family member). Don’t worry how much – or little – you write in the description box – everything helps! PLEASE NOTE:By using the ‘submit name’ element on the site we DO NOT get any record of you or your email and sometimes we’d love to get in touch with you, but we can’t! Please either drop your email details on the entry (don’t worry we won’t publish that) or a separate email to say ‘hello’. Thank you. We’d love you to get involved with this project. You can email us your info to iwas@standardtriumphworks.co.uk or post a name directly on the ‘submit name’ link.
After forty-five years' service Mr Albert Smith retired from The Standard Motor Company Limited on 13th April, 1951. In the
Update: The archive has now over 3,500 name entries and with 785 articles on the site. During May, 2018 we reached 100,000 website hits. May 2019 we reached 500,000 website hits. Take a look at the Latest News posts to see the articles.
Thank you for all the submissions in the database. In addition some people have articles, info, memories and photos. We’ll show everything, that comes in, at some point soon, please bear with us. We still need more… Email your stories today!
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Memories
LATEST POSTS
Awarded Funding-We are really pleased to announce we have been shortlisted and awarded £500 of match-funding by TownsWeb Archiving.
Hazel Gibbons – Export Sales-Miss Hazel Gibbons, an export sales clerk at Fletch. South for three years, married Graham Stuart who worked on Engine Assembly, at Coventry.
Inter-Departmental Angling Competition-There was a large entry for the Inter-departmental Angling Competition held at Standard Triumphs Angling Society’s waters at Cropredy, recently.
Albert Smith 2-After forty-five years’ service Mr Albert Smith retired from The Standard Motor Company Limited on 13th April, 1951.
British Legion – Standard Motors Branch-The President of The Standard Motors Branch British Legion accompanied by the Chairman, Mr. George Wheatley, Vice-President Mr. Bernard Grady, Secretary Mr. Totterdell, with Mr. A. R. Theobald, Chairman of the London Depot Branch and Mr. C. M. Nightingale, Secretary, took part on behalf of the respective Branches in a presentation to Sir John Black …
The Standard Pub-“Held up as the best,” says the famous Atkinson’s advertisement. And no exception is “The Standard,” the new Atkinson’s public house at Eastern Green, just down the road from Standard’s Banner Lane factory on the outskirts of Coventry.
Ted Silver Retirement-A marvellous photo taken on the occasion of Ted Silver’s retirement.
The Last TE20-Workers at Massey Ferguson celebrate the 517,651st and last TE 20 tractor to roll off the assembly line at Banner Lane, Coventry. Circa June 1956.
Monty at The Standard-On Saturday, October 4th, a very warm welcome home was given to the employees of The Standard Motor Company Ltd., who have returned from service with the forces. The event, A Welcome Home Party, was held at the Company’s Banner Lane Canteen.
Dennis R Pearson-MR D. R. PEARSON joined Standard Triumph in 1948 as an apprentice draughtsman at Coventry. After completing his apprenticeship Mr Pearson did two years national service in the Royal Air Force, and re-joined the Company afterwards in Aero Planning Department, at Coventry.
Les Smith – Press Shop-Les Smith, retired from Press Shop, Canley, after 30 years’ service at Canley works.
Engineering Development Department – Updated-Malcolm Whittaker has sent this photo, taken in the Engineering Development Department. It was Brian Anderson’s leaving do, circa 1978*.
Factory Correspondence-We love to see paperwork relating to the factory and we are constantly amazed that it has survived over the years.
Canley – Rover-Two late photographs from Canley sent in by Melvyn Cox.
Reg Phillips – Stock Audit-Reg Phillips (65), retired from Stock Audit, Canley, after 10 years’ service.
Ray Henderson’s Retirement-Thanks to Martin Cox, a fantastic contributor and supporter of this archive, for a new photo, taken upon the retirement of Ray Henderson.
Canley Halt-Canley Halt was opened for passengers on 30th September 1940, primarily to serve the nearby Standard Motor Company’s Works. The crossing had previously been known as Canley Gates from its inception when the London & Birmingham Railway first provided a gate keeper’s house in 1838 to man the gates.
Blood Donors-Period article from the in-house BL/Triumph newsletter dated 1979.
Send us your memories today!
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DECEMBER 2020.
We are really pleased to announce we have been shortlisted and awarded £500 of match-funding by TownsWeb Archiving.
The British Motor Museum hold thousands of original Standard Triumph factory negatives, many of which were taken by Frank Callaby – that’s Frank in the photo, an employee at Standard Triumph. The photo was sent to us, as many others are, by his family. The vast majority of these Standard Triumph negatives have never been digitised or even seen in years. We have applied for funding to allow a number of these unseen negatives to be scanned and ‘unlocked’ to share some amazing hidden secrets of the Standard Triumph factories and their employees. Whilst we missed out on the big prizes of £3,000 we are really pleased to have been shortlisted and awarded this funding. It’s such an exciting opportunity for Standard and Triumph enthusiasts, local people, ex-employees and their families and social historians.
Now we need to ‘match’ the £500 in donations to secure this award. Can you please help?
We are looking to raise a further £500, to thus raise £1,000, in total.
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Here’s what TownsWeb Archiving said “With only three grant awards available it was a really tough choice for our judges, but yours stood out as a project that should be recognised and, ultimately, shortlisted. Making the shortlist means that we can offer you £500 of match-funding to put towards your digitisation project. We hope this alternative cash injection will be a financial boost towards realising the vision set out in your application.”
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