Morris Engine Works, Gosford Street

I found this aerial view of the factory from 1923 and have numbered the main points of interest: 1. Motor repair depot 2. Herbert's Row 3. Morris extension to existing Hotchkiss works 4. Former Hotchkiss machine gun factory 5. Workhouse Infirmary 6. Nurses home 7. G.E.C. Whitefriars telephone works The poor quality of the image suggests it's been zoomed from a much wider view in which case I would love to see the original. The Morris extension (3) was later raised considerably in height to the point where it almost dwarfed both chimney stacks!

I think the workhouse infirmary must have become Gulson Road Hospital. I remember when the second of two fires at the DSS (formally the old Morris works) in the 1960s led to the evacuation of the Hospital. They were worried about the curtain wall falling on the hospital. But they needn't have worried. The demolition firm called in to make the site safe took several days to knock it down with a swinging ball. It was so strong that for the first day or two, they made no progress.

Yes, it was extended eastwards in 1925 and taken over by the council in 1930. Coventry Workhouse, Gulson Road Herbert's Row was later replaced by a welfare centre. I think I had my inoculations there? The motor repair factory eventually became Astley's warehouse. The G.E.C. works was totally destroyed in 1940. The nurses home was still standing in splendid isolation when I left the area in 1967.

The Morris Engine works became the DHSS. It was originally the Hotchkiss factory. It was largely destroyed by fire in, I think, about 1967?

Well, eventually it did. Various parts of the building were also used as an army surplus depot, Inland Revenue office and Blood Transfusion Service. You could argue the last two were one and the same thing? There were two massive fires, one in 1964 and the other in 1966. I was surprised any part of the building managed to survive either fire.

Thank you Dutchman. I agree about the Inland Revenue, they have taken a pint or two from me this morning.

(Cross-posted from Inner Ring Road to avoid dragging that thread off-topic). Interesting view of Gosford Street in 1967 there Morgana Have to confess I don't remember that single storey building next to the factory even though I passed it every day. It had been a two storey café before the war as seen in this photograph:

Thank you Dutchman. Thats a lovely photo of yours of Gosford St. I was looking on google earth the other day at Gosford Street did nt recognise it , last time I went down there was to go to Social security which was in the picture the large building. I shall keep my vision to back then of Gosford Street it looked better back then , same as Bishop St what an eye sore now. Edited by member, 8th Oct 2014 3:18 pm

Very interesting thread, and thank you Dutchman for sharing your photo of Gosford St. I'm amazed the building survived the fires too - it was clearly built to last!

Currently for sale on eBay, interesting pics, starting price £18. THIS AUCTION IS FOR 3 REAL PHOTO POSTCARDS OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE HOTCHKISS MACHINE GUN FACTORY IN COVENTRY IN WW1. THE CARDS ARE ALL "FROM DADDY" MR RICHARDSON, TO HIS DAUGHTERS IN LEIRE NEAR LUTTERWORTH. AS THE CARDS ARE THREE QUARTER PLATE I WOULD SUGGEST THEY WERE PRIVATELY PHOTOGRAPHED AND PRODUCED.

I zoom into photos like that to see if there is anything interesting in the background. Alas there is nothing here for me. Ebay is currently bogged down by some idiot selling countless modern photos of planes photographed at Coventry Airport.

Thanks Cliff, great pictures. The cap industry in Coventry must have been booming. A little worried about the guy wielding the axe in the 3rd picture?