The Industrial Heart of Lancing: Mapping the Memories of the Carriage Works
The Lancing Carriage Works was more than just a factory; it was a 66-acre world that defined our village for generations. Following the wonderful 180th-anniversary display at the station, I’ve been digging into the "human side" of the Works—the faces, the families, and the stories that still echo through the Parish Hall and local history groups.
Mapping the Site
To understand the scale, we have to look at it from above. This aerial photograph (attributed to Brian Prevett) shows the sheer size of the Southern Railway Works.
The site spanned 66 acres, housing massive carriage and paint shops.
Courtesy Brian Pevett At its peak, it employed over 1,500 people, many of whom arrived daily from Brighton on the famous "Lancing Belle" workers' train.
The "saw-tooth" rooflines were designed to flood the workshops with natural light for the skilled craftsmen below.
The Guardians: The Works Fire Brigade
Fire was a constant anxiety on a site filled with timber and flammable spirits. Thanks to Peter Matten, we have a glimpse of the men who kept the village safe.
The Early Days: An older photo shows the horse-drawn "Alliance" fire appliance, a reminder of the era when steam and horsepower worked side-by-side.
The Faces of the 1950s: In a later group shot, we find John Warr (standing third from left, back row). John was a true Lancing character—not only a fireman but a founding member of the Lancing Naval Club in Tower Road, where he helped re-erect a salvaged military Nissen Hut as the club’s first home.
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| Courtesy Peter Matten |
Can You Help Identify These Faces? Lancing Carriage Works Fire Brigade
I recently came across this fantastic photograph of the Lancing Carriage Works Fire Brigade. These were the men responsible for protecting the massive 15-acre site, which was a maze of timber, paint, and industrial machinery.
We know that John Warr is standing third from the left in the back row, but the other faces remain a mystery.
We are looking for your help:
Do you recognise a grandfather, father, or uncle in this line-up?
Do you have stories of the Fire Brigade’s drills or their role during the war years?
Was your relative one of the 1,500+ people employed at the Works during its peak?
The Lancing History Group did a magnificent job commemorating the 180th anniversary of the station last year. I would love to build on that local pride by putting names to these faces and recording the personal memories that go with them.
Please leave a comment below or get in touch if you have any information!
Observations on the New Photographs
The Horse-Drawn Appliance: This image likely dates from the very early 20th century or late Victorian era. The firemen are wearing the classic brass-style helmets, which were designed to deflect falling debris. You can see the word "ALLIANCE" on the side of the vehicle—likely referring to the insurance company that would have funded or branded the brigade's equipment at the time.
The Crowds: The presence of onlookers in hats and the general "parade" feel suggests this might have been a public demonstration or a local celebration, perhaps even the opening of a new section of the Works.
From the Works to the Naval ClubInterestingly, the photos were shared by Peter Matten, who received them from John Warr himself. Beyond his service with the brigade, John was a key figure at the Lancing Naval Club. Did you know the original club building was a Nissen Hut salvaged from a Sussex military base and rebuilt on Tower Road by John and his committee in the 1950s?
If you have memories of the Naval Club in those early days, or if you remember John from his time there, we would love to hear from you.
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Voices from the Works
I’ve been "pinching" some wonderful chatter from the Lancing History group (with thanks to Bev Pettiford and others) to share the everyday magic of the place:
Open Day Magic: Bev Pettiford recalls her dad, Bill Jones, a furnaceman for 14 years, lifting her up to sound the engine's warning horn.
A "Foamy" Souvenir: Trevor McInnes remembers the Trimmers cutting out scraps of foam for children to take home during the 1960s open days.
The Eerie Silence: Graham Funnell describes visiting the works just after its 1965 closure, noting it felt as though the 1,500 workers had simply "gone to lunch" and never returned.
Can You Help?
The hunt for memories continues!
Do you recognise any other faces in the Fire Brigade photos?
Do you have memories of the Lancing Naval Club or the sound of the Works' hooter?
Have you seen the photo collections at the back of the Parish Hall?
Please leave a comment below or share your stories. Let's keep the memory of the "factory in a garden" alive!
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The Veterans who Built the Works
Long before the 1960s Open Days, the Works was staffed by men like Charles Thomas Meads. A veteran of eight years' service in India with the 1st Royal Sussex Regiment, Charles spent nearly two decades as a fireman at the Lancing Carriage Works.
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| Courtesy Marilyn James |
When he passed away in 1937, his funeral was a true railwayman's send-off, attended by the Chief Officer and his fellow firemen from the brigade. His life, moving from Southampton Street in Brighton to Monks Close in Lancing, mirrors the journey of many families who made our village their own.
FORMER LANCING FIREMAN
Death of Mr C. T. Meads
A member of the Southern Railway Fire Brigade for nearly twenty years, Mr Charles Thomas Meads died at Lancing this week aged 56.
Born at Brighton, Mr Meads served with the 1st Royal Sussex Regiment in India for eight years before spending three years at Brighton Railway Works. From Brighton he came to Lancing Railway Works, where he worked and served as a fireman for nearly twenty years.
Ill-health prevented him from working after March, 1936, and he came to live at 47, Monks-close, where he died on Monday. Railwaymen attended the funeral at North Lancing Church yesterday (Friday), including members of the fire brigade and the chief officer of the Lancing Fire Brigade (Mr W. R. Dunn).
| Category | Detail |
| Military Service | 8 Years with the 1st Royal Sussex Regiment in India. |
| Railway Career | 3 years at Brighton Works; 20 years at Lancing Carriage Works. |
| Special Role | Veteran member of the Southern Railway Fire Brigade. |
| Retirement | March 1936 (due to ill health). |
| Last Residence | 47 Monks Close, Lancing. |
| Final Resting Place | North Lancing Church. |
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Defending the Works: The Men Behind the Guns
During World War II, the quiet "factory in a garden" became a fortress. This powerful image [below] from Kevin Gordon shows an anti-aircraft gun crew positioned among the tracks, ready to defend the 66-acre site from air raids.
Thanks to John Maple, we can put names to these brave faces. John believes the man at the rear of the gun (left) was his father, and the man standing on the gun was a fellow named Dixy Dean. Interestingly, Dixy was still working at the Carriage Works in the early 1960s as a charge hand—a testament to the lifelong bonds formed at the site.
Imagine the stories Dixy must have told his young apprentices about the days when he traded his tools for a seat on that gun!
Defending the Works: The Men Behind the Guns
During World War II, the quiet "factory in a garden" became a fortress. This powerful image [below] from Kevin Gordon shows an anti-aircraft gun crew positioned among the tracks, ready to defend the 66-acre site from air raids.
Thanks to John Maple, we can put names to these brave faces. John believes the man at the rear of the gun (left) was his father, and the man standing on the gun was a fellow named Dixy Dean. Interestingly, Dixy was still working at the Carriage Works in the early 1960s as a charge hand—a testament to the lifelong bonds formed at the site.
Imagine the stories Dixy must have told his young apprentices about the days when he traded his tools for a seat on that gun!
Dixy Dean: From the Gun to the Shop Floor
This "Then and Now" segment highlights how the Lancing Carriage Works community remained steadfast through total war and into the modern era:
1940s: The Defender: During the war, Dixy was literally on the front lines of the village, perched atop an anti-aircraft gun to protect the 66-acre estate and its vital production of Horsa glider parts.
1960s: The Mentor: Fast-forward twenty years, and he had transitioned into the role of Charge Hand. In this role, he was responsible for overseeing a specific group of workers and ensuring the quality of the carriage repairs.
The Bridge: For apprentices like John Maple in the 60s, Dixy wasn't just a boss; he was a living link to the "fortress" years of the Works.
Courtesy Kevin Gordon
Defending the 66-Acre Site: You can see an anti-aircraft gun crew (likely Home Guard or a dedicated army unit) positioned directly on the railway tracks. The massive scale of the sheds in the background of the aerial photo shows why such heavy protection was necessary—it was a sprawling target for the Luftwaffe.
The Mystery Engine: The presence of an LMS Stanier 8F at Lancing is a classic "War Department" clue.
National Effort: These engines were built for heavy freight and troop movements across the whole UK, proving that Lancing wasn't just a local concern, but a key player in the national rail network during the crisis.
The High Command: The presence of senior military officers in the foreground suggests this might have been an official inspection or a demonstration of the site's readiness.
| Name | Department / Role | Historical Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Charles Thomas Meads | Fire Brigade (20 Years) / Rolling Stock Repair | Veteran of the 1st Royal Sussex Regiment; long-term Lancing resident. |
| John Warr | Works Fire Brigade | Founding member of the Lancing Naval Club; helped re-erect the Nissen Hut on Tower Road. |
| Dixy Dean | Wartime Gunner / Charge Hand (1960s) | Defended the works from air raids and later mentored decades of apprentices. |
| Mr. Maple (Senior) | Anti-Aircraft Gun Crew / Fireman | Part of the wartime defence team at the 66-acre site. |
| Mr. Maple (The Younger) | Freshbrook School Caretaker | Likely the grandson of the original fireman; continued the family tradition of local service. |
| Bill (William) Jones | Furnaceman (14 Years) | Remembered by daughter Bev for sounding the engine horns on Open Days. |
| Clive Stevens' Father | Coach Finisher (24 Years) | A highly skilled craftsman whose Lancing training took him as far as Canada. |
| Terry Langham | Works Personnel | Remembered by many as a "lovely friend" and a mainstay of the Works community. |
The Trades of the Lancing Carriage Works
The records categorise staff into specific grades, showing a clear hierarchy from entry-level "Shop Lads" to master craftsmen.
The Master Craftsmen:
Bodymakers: These men were the elite, responsible for the structural integrity of the railway carriages.
Wagon Makers: Skilled workers focused on the heavy-duty freight fleet.
Finishers & Polishers: The tradesmen who ensured the interiors of the passenger coaches were of the highest standard.
Trimmers: Responsible for the upholstery and seating—the department is remembered for giving foam scraps to local children.
Metal Machinists & Turners: The precision workers in the machine shops who fabricated the metal components.
The Site Maintenance & Safety:
Electricians & Gasfitters: Vital for the lighting and heating of both the workshops and the carriages themselves.
Crane Drivers & Lifters: Essential for moving massive carriage bodies through the "saw-tooth" sheds.
Firemen: Like Charles Thomas Meads, these men were often repairers by day and the site's primary defence by night.
The Next Generation:
Shop Lads & Messengers: The entry-point for 14-year-olds starting their journey. Many, like John Maple, would start here and work their way up to become Charge Hands like Dixy Dean.
Apprentices: Listed specifically as "Painter's Apprentice" or "Fitter's Apprentice," showing the formalised training program.
A Day in the Life: The Specialist Crafts of Lancing
To understand the 66-acre site, we have to look at the specific skills required to build a "village on wheels".
The Trimmer (Upholsterer)
The Trimmer was the master of comfort. They worked with horsehair, springs, and heavy fabrics to create the plush seating for first-class coaches and the practical benches for third-class.
The "Foamy" Connection: In the later years, as materials changed, Trimmers used large sheets of foam. As you’ve noted, the off-cuts were often gifted to local children during Open Days—a memory that still lingers in the village today.
The Oiler and Greaser
Often a role for younger workers or those starting their career, the Oiler was essential for safety.
The Task: They walked the length of the trains, often in the pits beneath the tracks, to ensure that every axle box was filled with oil and every moving part was greased.
The Consequence: Without the Oiler, the friction of the heavy carriages would lead to "hot boxes" and potential fires—making them the first line of defence for the rolling stock.
The Body Maker
These were the senior craftsmen of the "Sheds".
The Task: They were essentially high-end carpenters and metalworkers combined. They built the wooden and steel skeletons of the carriages, ensuring they were strong enough to withstand the vibrations of high-speed travel.
The Skill: A Body Maker had to understand how different woods like oak and teak reacted to the coastal Sussex weather.
The Finisher and Polisher
While the Body Maker built the shell, the Finisher made it beautiful.
The Task: They fitted the intricate mahogany panelling, the luggage racks, and the brass window latches.
The Polish: The "French Polisher" (often listed simply as Polisher) would apply layer upon layer of lacquer to give the carriages that famous deep, glass-like shine that the Southern Railway was known for.
The Lifter
The Lifter’s job was a feat of industrial strength.
The Task: Using massive overhead cranes or heavy jacks, they would "lift" the entire body of a carriage off its wheels (the bogies) so that repairs could be made to the underside.
The Precision: This required incredible teamwork and communication to ensure the multi-ton carriage remained level and safe.
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| courtesy Ian Smith |
"A Family Mystery: Who was A. Meads?"
"While searching for Charles Thomas Meads in the 1933 pay records, I came across this entry for A. Meads (No. 1010)
. We know the Meads were a true railway family, but the handwriting for his specific trade is a bit of a puzzle. It looks like it could be a Finishers Appre. [Apprentice] Does anyone recognise this name or the handwriting? It would be wonderful to identify another branch of this Lancing family tree."
"From Battersea to Lancing: The Stewarts Lane Connection"
"In the 1938 records, we see some of our local men, like N.J. Stevens and J. Dean, listed under 'Stewarts Lane'
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| The names etched into the stone of the Parish Hall memorial are the same names we find in the quiet ink of the Railway Paybooks. From Shop Lads like W. Harman to the veteran Bodymakers, these records prove that the men who defended our country were the same men who built our village, one carriage at a time. |
| Name on Memorial | Trade in Pay Records (1924-1940) | Historical Context |
| W. Harman | Shop Lad (Lancing) | Likely started his career as a teenager just as the war began. |
| C. Carpenter | Metal Machinist | A specialist in the machine shops, essential for carriage fabrication. |
| H. Clist | Labourer | Part of the vital force that kept the 66-acre site operational. |
| H. Dray | Bodymaker's Help | Assisted the master craftsmen in building carriage skeletons. |
| W. Curnock | Trimmer | Part of the upholstery team famous for the 'foamy' off-cuts. |
| D. Dorey | Cleaner | Responsible for the pristine finish of the Southern Railway fleet. |
"As we look at the poppies resting against the Lancing Carriage Works War Memorial, we see more than just a list of soldiers. We see the Shop Lads, the Machinists, and the Trimmers who were once the lifeblood of our village.
These men, whose names were recorded in the same ink as Charles Meads and the Maple family, left their benches to defend the very 'Fortress' they helped build. Though the Works fell silent in 1965, the memory of their service—both at the workbench and on the battlefield—remains an indelible part of Lancing’s 180-year railway history."
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Marilyn James is researching the life of her Grandfather Charles Thomas Meads
If you can help contact Marilyn on her Facebook page_______________________________________________________________________
The Living Legacy of Lancing Station
If you can help contact Marilyn on her Facebook page
As we look back on 180 years of Lancing Railway Station, it is easy to focus on the bricks, mortar, and the miles of track. But as these stories show, the true history of the Lancing Carriage Works is written in the lives of the people who walked through its gates every morning.
From Charles Thomas Meads and his twenty years of fire service, to Dixy Dean and Mr. Maple defending the site from the tracks during the war, these men were the heartbeat of our village. They were the same men who founded our social clubs, looked after our schools, and raised families who still call Lancing home today.
The Works may have closed its doors in 1965, but through your shared memories—the "to-and-fro" of stories about Open Days, the "Lancing Belle," and the sound of the hooter—the spirit of the "factory in a garden" lives on.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed so far. Let's keep these memories moving!
__________________________________________________________________________________The Lancing Carriage Works Surname Index (1924–1940) Below is the index of names transcribed from the Southern Railway pay ledgers. This list represents the thousands of men—from Machinists like W. Packham to Shop Lads like J. Dean—who kept the 66-acre site running through peace and war.
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