|
|
Imported as chassis, body-panels and partially assembled kits of parts,
final assembly and painting were carried out at the West London works
The method was economical in terms of shipping costs and the proportion
of value added in Britain reduced the importer's liability to duty....
In 1940 a 1,00lb bomb fell Leonard William's Packard car workshops nearby.
Fortunately, the Packard workshop was not working a night shift when the
bomb fell. No casualities occurred on this occasion....
It was on the 21st March 1945 at 9.30 hours when a V2 Long
Range Rocket fell and exploded on the Packard factory on the Great West Rd
(My sister Pauline aged six was playing in Hornbean Crescent at this time
and was blown over by the blast)....
The first report was soon received at the control centre and the Rescue
parties and Ambulances, Mobile fire Appliance Units and Wardens were
ordered to the scene....
Fire broke out almost at once and the National Fire Service were there in no time
The Mobile Control vehicle kept at Bridge Road Depot was ordered to the scene....
The Packard Works after the V2 rocket explosion
The Great West Road was closed to traffic for a time, mainly owing to debris,
but soon one carriageway was opened....
The bomb had fallen on the actual factory premises where 100 men were assembling
marine engines. The building was completely wrecked and damage caused to several
other buildings nearby, including Pyrene's. Rescue operations went on all day and
all through the night in an attempt to find other persons missing. Floodlights
were obtained and seacher dogs used....
During the first two hours 40 A.R.P vehicles were actually engaged on the scene
and twenty N.F.S vehicles....
Emergency feeding units were set up by the W.V.S also an Enquiry Point in a
vehicle manned by volunteers from Brentford and Chiswick....
Parties from adjoining factories, among them Pyrene's, Firestone's, Gillette's
and Sperry's, also men of the RAF and US Army provided assistance.
Mr Willis Cooper a Director of Gillette's came over and invited the A.R.P
workers to go across to Gillette's canteen for refreshments. This invitation
was accepted and much appreciated....
The casualties numbered 32 killed, 102 seriously injured and 390 slightly
injured people....
Packards factory was destroyed, other factory premises in the vicinity and
662 houses were damaged....
The scene of the disaster was visited by King George V and Queen Mary and
a number of other notable people including Miss Helen Wilkinson MP, a
member of the Government and Sir Harold Scott from the Home Office
Don't forget to send your Comments
top-left corner of this page.