The developer behind the Kirkstall Forge scheme is asking for the public to help them identify photographs from the archives of Kirkstall Forge’s long history.
The site is one of the oldest continually used iron and steel forges in the country, established in the 16th century and in continuous production until its final closure in 2003.
During the 20th century the former owners of Kirkstall Forge took hundreds of photographs of their staff, including of members who had reached the impressive milestone of 40 years of service who were presented with a gold watch.
The archives hold over 50 images of these ‘40 Year Men’ along with hundreds of other photos of working life at the Forge during the 20th century.
Now, developer CEG is hoping to establish their names and stories about their working life at Kirkstall Forge.
Nansi Rosenberg of Prospect Archaeology, who has been managing the preparation of a report on the archaeological work at Kirkstall Forge on behalf of CEG, said:
“The photo archive from Kirkstall Forge provides an amazing window into the past, showing us individuals who made the Forge the successful business it was.
“We believe they mainly cover the 1940s – 1960s when Kirkstall Forge was providing an essential service to the war effort, expanding internationally and recognising the enormous value of the working men and women to the business.
“Whilst we can put names to some faces, there are a great many we can’t identify and we feel it’s important to collect some of the individual stories of the Forge’s staff and owners as a way of adding a human element to the tale told by the archaeological remains.”
CEG also took copies of the images to their stand at the Kirkstall Festival on Saturday to provide an opportunity for people to recognise relatives, friends or fellow colleagues in the pictures.
The images will also be available to view on the Kirkstall Forge Facebook page.
The chap with the glasses is my dad. Ernest Simister chief metallurgist at the forge.
My Dad worked at Kirkstall Forge in the 1940s, as a semi skilled labourer. He once took me as a small child to see the machinery, and explained the furnaces and hammers. He said that the Forge made back axles for tanks. I’ve never forgotten it, even at 79.
My grandfather and father both worked at the forge for many years
george and Trevor Atkinson and I know dad was there for over 40 years, I remember as a child going to the open days they had every year and dad showing us round d the work shops.
Hi
does anybody know if an Indian man called John worked at Kirkstall forge in the 1960s
Thanks
Does anyone remember Jack Hargreaves from the 60s and 70s possibly?
Wendy
Hi Does anyone remember Jack Hugill (christened name John)? He received his gold watch and must have retired in the late 80’s. I remember him telling me they called him back from being a ‘tail end Charlie’ in the second world war to build axles for tanks and I remember going to Christmas parties in the canteen there.
My father Kenneth Ferguson worked at the forge and was featured on the front cover of a brochure (his one and only modelling job for the company) . He told me that the Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe used to do deliveries there .