British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum - Broad Oak Works - Accrington

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- - Broad Oak Works - Accrington - 1942 (https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=70658)

Broad Oak Works - Accrington - 1942

A very important reference work in my opinion.

Worthy of much research.

Thanks for showing.

regards

Absolutely - and a quick internet search yields:

Broad Oak Printworks was the most important calico printworks of Accrington, founded in 1792 as bleaching crofts by Taylor, Fort, Bury & Co of Oakenshaw. James Bury withdrew in 1794 to run Sabden Printworks, and in 1811 Taylor & Fort dissolved the partnership. In 1812, the works were taken over by Thomas Hargreaves, previously a manager for the firm, and Adam Dugdale. A plan of the works dated 1813 illustrates a typical layout of an early printworks. The most striking feature is the series of separate shops or departments along the stream from east to west: a wash house, two dye houses, sour house, bleaching house, blue dyehouse and singeing house, dry house, stove house, large print house, block shop, machine room, and old print shop. Power was provided by seven waterwheels and the cloth moved downstream from one end of the works to the other as it was processed. The works expanded greatly after 1816, steam power was introduced, and new print shops erected.

Further extensions, including new raising and finishing rooms, turbine engine and boiler houses were added in first years of the twentieth century. Major modernisation and reconstruction scheme after 1920, and new printshops were built in early 1930s. The works contracted after World War II; machine printing ended in 1958, engraving ceased in 1960, the screen printing department closed in 1966, and the finishing operations were transferred to Loveclough in 1970. Warehousing and some minor operations continued. Demolition of portions of the works occurred in the 1960s, principally the older printshops on the eastern perimeter of the complex.

What a great resource -- a super set of benchmarks for comparing other examples. Well done in acquiring it and many thanks for sharing it.

Superb find, well done.

Rgds, Thomas

Possibly printed earlier than the date stamp?

They have the "windmill" sign of the 18th division that was captured by the Japanese when Singapore fell in February 1942.

Broad Oak Works - Accrington

Broad Oak Works, Accrington. Home of the Calico Printers Association who were the preferred manufacturer of all the printed WWII, and immediate post-war formation signs. What an oracle you have there.

Stephen.

Lovely find, many thanks for sharing - Mark

Amazing reference. Thanks for posting.

Does anyone know what the two similar badges of 'B.W.' in a wreath, printed in Gold on Black/Navy are?

I have a home made one in brass but no idea what it is?

regards

Both Barrack Warden Badges. Authorised in 1943.

Jon

PS A fabulous album from the Calico Printers Association.

Jon

Thanks Jon,

Would that be classed as a trade badge? Was it worn on the arm?

regards

Simon,

Good question to which I have yet to find an answer. Barrack Wardens were issued in WW2 with Civil Defence BD so it could have been worn on the cuff like a trade badge of on the arm like chevrons.

Perhaps others can provide evidence.

Jon

Jon,

That certainly fits with the colours of the badges.
Were BW's soldiers or retired soldiers or none of the above?

regards

Another Good Question.

I believe they were largely retired soldiers who would understand the workings of the system but they were I believe civilians. Their clothing is listed in the Priced Vocabs with other civilian-type staff. During WW2 there were also women barrack wardens.

Jon