National Gauge Factories
Established by the Ministry of Munitions to make standardised tools and gauges but it was not possible to establish a single central factory. Instead factories were acquired at Woolwich, Birmingham, and Croydon. These were followed by the Wolsey Motor Co. in Pimlico, and Newall Engineering Co. in Walthamstow, taken over in 1917 and 1918 respectively. The main output of the Birmingham factory was small tools, taps and dies, and the plant was taken over from Chatwin and Co., an existing maker.
* NGF Birmingham (Great Tindal Street)
An existing gauge factory which was nationalised in September 1915. Management: Chatwin Ltd.
* NGF Croydon (Gloucester Road)
An existing factory owned by Pintsch's Electrical Manufacturing Co which was nationalised in November 1915. Management: Vidal Engineering Co.
* NGF Kilburn, London (Fairfax Yard)
Opened: May 1917. Management: Wolseley Motor Company; operated by German PoWs.
* NGF Pimlico, London (Gatliff Road)
An existing gauge factory which was nationalised in June 1917. Management: Wolseley Motor Company.
* NGF Walthamstow
Nationalised in spring 1918. Management: direct control/Newall Engineering Co
* NGF Woolwich (Upper Market Street)
Nationalised in August 1916. Management: Pitter's Ventilating and Engineering Co.
See Also
Sources of Information
- Ministry of Munitions [1]