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.
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| Courtesy Brian Prevett |
- 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 William Jack Warr (standing third from left, back row). For years, many in the village believed this was his son, John Warr, who was such a prominent Lancing character. While John is fondly remembered as a founding member of the Lancing Naval Club in Tower Road (where he helped re-erect a salvaged military Nissen Hut), it was his father, William, who carried on the family's dedicated service as a Carriage Works Fireman.
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| Courtesy Peter Matten |
Can You Help Identify These Faces? Lancing Carriage Works Fire Brigade
I recently across this fantastic photograph of the Lancing Carriage Works Fire Brigade. These were the men responsible for protecting the massive site, which was a maze of timber, paint, and industrial machinery. We know that William Jack 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 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. You can see the word "ALLIANCE" on the side of the vehicle—likely referring to the insurance company.
- The Crowds: The presence of onlookers in hats suggests this might have been a public demonstration or celebration.
From the Works to the Naval Club
Interestingly, 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?
Life in the Shadow of the Sheds
"For the families of Bessborough Terrace, the Carriage Works wasn't just a place of employment—it was the view from the front door. The terrace was the heart of a railway community, housing dynasties like the Warr family."
Security and safety were paramount. Thanks to Tina Russell, we know that her grandad William Jack Warr served in this elite crew; the family still treasures his original brass fireman’s helmet.
The Finishing Touch and the Secret Shop
While the rhythmic clanging of the smiths dominated the main sheds, a different kind of precision was at play in the Upholstery Shop. This was where the "luxury" of the Southern Railway was born.
Women like Angela Thorne’s mother were the guardians of this craft. Initially stitching plush interiors, their roles took a dramatic turn in the 1940s.
As the war intensified, the "Finishing Touch" was replaced by a "Secret Service." The skilled hands were repurposed for the "Hush-Hush Shop," manufacturing components for projects like the Airspeed Horsa gliders.
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| Courtesy Stephen Hardy |
The Industrial Valley
In this remarkable photograph from the Stephen Hardy collection, we see the sheer scale of the Lancing 'canyon.' Stacks of wheel tyres dominate the foreground, but look up: the Lancing Clump stands watch on the hillside.
The Sawtooth Skyline
"A city within a village, where light poured through sawtooth glass onto master craftsmen. It was here that Stephen’s father and colleagues turned raw steel into the pride of the Southern Railway."
The Draughtsman’s Final View: On 16 July 1964, Alan Hardy stood at his window for the last time. These photographs were his final act of documentation.
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The Craftsman’s Rite of Passage
"One of the most enduring traditions of the Lancing Carriage Works was the 'Apprentice Chest.' When a young man started his training, his first real challenge was to build his own tool chest. It was a test of skill and a badge of honour; if your chest wasn't up to standard, you weren't up to the trade.
Stephen Hardy has shared these evocative photos of his father’s collection. You can see the heavy-duty apprenticeship chest, still sturdy decades later, alongside his wartime 'Railway Service' badge. Many of the tools inside were hand-finished or custom-made by his father to fit the specific needs of the carriage shop. It is a reminder that while the buildings were massive, the heart of the Works was found in the precision of the individual workman’s hands."
A life of service and solidarity: Steven Hardy’s father’s badges. On the left, the Southern Railway 'War Service' badge, signifying his essential role during WWII. On the right, his NUR union badge, a symbol of the camaraderie and collective spirit that defined the workforce at the Lancing Carriage Works. These were more than just pins; they were a workman's identity.
Voices from the Works
- Open Day Magic: Bev Pettiford recalls her dad, Bill Jones, lifting her up to sound the engine horn.
- A "Foamy" Souvenir: Trevor McInnes remembers the trimmers cutting scraps of foam for children in the 1960s.
- The Eerie Silence: Graham Funnell describes visiting in 1965, feeling as though the workers had simply "gone to lunch" and never returned.
The Veterans who Built the Works
Long before the 1960s, the Works was staffed by men like Charles Thomas Meads. A veteran of the 1st Royal Sussex Regiment, Charles spent nearly two decades as a fireman at the Works.
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| Courtesy Marilyn James |
When Charles passed away in 1937, his funeral was a true railwayman's send-off. He lived at 47 Monks Close—just a stone's throw from where I write today.
Master Personnel List
| Name |
Department / Role |
Historical Connection |
| Charles Thomas Meads |
Fire Brigade / Rolling Stock Repair |
Veteran of 1st Royal Sussex; lived at 47 Monks Close. |
| William Jack Warr |
Works Fire Brigade |
Father of John Warr; dedicated fireman at the site. |
| Dixy Dean |
Wartime Gunner / Charge Hand |
Defended works from air raids; mentor to apprentices. |
| Alfred William (Bill) Moppett |
Acetylene Cutter / Home Guard |
Specialist in "Steel Ring" repairs and wartime defence. |
| Bill (William) Jones |
Furnaceman (14 Years) |
Lifted daughter Bev to sound engine horns. |
Correction & Family Update: Since publishing, Julie Bevan clarified that the Fireman pictured is William Jack Warr, not his son John. William was the fireman; John is remembered for running the Naval Club. My thanks for getting the family tree right!
Series Links: Lancing Village Memories
Author’s Note: History is often closer than we think. Let's keep the memory of the "factory in a garden" alive!
