Forum Topic

Prestolite

Message for Jim.Any chance of you posting the photos of progress at Prestolite on the Hammersmith web?   Have just seen them on the Acton one.

Caroline MacMillan ● 6499d17 Comments

Then to think that with the introduction of Ken Livingstones 625,000,000 tram scheme...traffic was to be directed away from The Vale..and down this Prestolite Road.!!

Jim Lawes ● 6338d

Thanks, Jim.  I walked by it at the weekend in fact.  Its horrific to think of the extra traffic, both motorised and on foot, this is going to create in the area.  Not to mention queues at bus stops, waiting lists at local schools and doctors surgeries.  And will the infrastructure under ground (ie sewers) cope?  What with the Somerfield and other developments in that immediate area, its a huge problem for the existing residents.

Caroline MacMillan ● 6338d

They've built a huge extention onto the end of that long building!!

Jim Lawes ● 6342d

Jim Lawes ● 6342d

Mr. Scott, I have sent you a note via the forum.

Marlene Plimley ● 6381d

Passing by I noticed that the Prestolite showhouse is now open!See you at tomorrow's meet up.

Jim Lawes ● 6423d

To pick up on M.Plimley's point: The Bosch actual shareholding was sold in 1937 though most of the Germans did not go back until 1939.  There were, however, 2 notable exceptions: works manager Emil Schwer and Eugen Lang, production manager.  They both were interned and quickly released - but were not permitted to rejoin CAV. The RAF may have had Bosch locations, but there is no evidence that the Luftwaffe had special CAV knowledge. A clue may lie in the fact that Robert Bosch himself was no Nazi sympathiser - Party leaders actually boycotted a 1936 company Jubilee!  While there was concern that Acton would be targetted, loss of production was due mainly to general alarms -  damage to CAV was only superficial. MP: I'd be very interested to meet the Valetta Rd gentleman too - please let me know if you re-locate him! 

Richard Scott ● 6425d

Look forward to meeting you, Jim.  Are you going to bring a few pictures ..... and tell us more about the fascinating borough we live in?

Caroline MacMillan ● 6427d

Hi Caroline,Thanks for the invite..and yes I hope to meet up with you all..  hey presto!Jim

Jim Lawes ● 6428d

Just to advise who have posted on this thread that the Hammersmith Forum Drinks will be on Monday, 26 November, 6.30 onwards at the The Andover, 57 Aldensley Road, W.6.  Aldensley Road is north of King Street and Glenthorne Road.  Nice friendly local and I am asking them to reserve a table (or even two) in the corner.Do come along - it is always an informal, relaxed and interesting gathering.Do hope you can join us, Jim.

Caroline MacMillan ● 6428d

'In 1926 CAV was bought by Joseph Lucas, becoming CAV-Bosch in the 30's before reverting to CAV in 1939.'What you say is correct and the reason they split is obvious- war broke out.  Last year I was speaking to an elderly gentleman on Valetta Road who used to work there.There were also German citizens working there and they were called home in 1939. Some Lucas personnel joined the RAF. He went on to say that  as Lucas already had the plans and coordinates of the Bosch factory  in Germany it made an easy target for the Allied bombers and targeted it was. I must find this man again and record his story. I think he said one of the pilots who took part in one of the bombing raids on Bosch was a former Lucas employee  and it was possisble his former workmates were inside the factory.Such is the tragedy of war.

Marlene Plimley ● 6433d

You don't even hear too many factory hooters in W12 these days!What a fascinating little thread, especially Richard's amazingly detailed potted history.Excuse my ignorance, but what is the Prestolite site going to become?

Edward Noel ● 6434d

Good write up Richard...and thanks Caroline for reminding us of the words "factory hooter"!That was a sound long gone in TW8, W4 and W6! Back to work lads! and lasses.

Jim Lawes ● 6435d

Richard, when we first moved to the area, it was Lucas and we could hear the factory hooter going at lunchtime Saturday when they finished work for the day.

Caroline MacMillan ● 6436d

Prestolite came to Acton pre-World War One, as CA Vandervell, setting up in Warple Way [Now in Ealing].  Post WW1 expansion was to become mainly east of Warple Way, i.e in what is now Hammersmith & Fulham.  In 1926 CAV was bought by Joseph Lucas, becoming CAV-Bosch in the 30's before reverting to CAV in 1939. In the 70's, the firm became Lucas CAV and, eventually, Prestolite after Lucas Industries was split up.  CAV was the world leader in diesel technology, at one time exporting 70% of its UK production.  CAV dominated world supply outside the old Soviet Bloc - and made the fuel pumps and injectors for Britain's first WWII turbojet engines.

Richard Scott ● 6446d

Its on the very border and those of us living to the east (Wendell area) have been concerned about the development since concept.

Caroline MacMillan ● 6498d

Hi CarolineSo the Prestolite site in Lardens Road is in the Hammersmith Borough and not Ealing’s?This is the scene there in March this year, when I believe viewers were not sure which buildings were to stand..and which were to be demolished!-----------------------------------------------------------Last week I was passing by and took these pictures. There seems to be lots of work to do.!!----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------More housing for West London….will the community framework cope with the increased demands on it?

Jim Lawes ● 6499d