From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Letter to A. F. Sidgreaves discussing delays on an experimental chassis and body due to labour shortages and war conditions.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 144\2\ scan0130 | |
| Date | 7th October 1941 | |
| CWW/GC 7th October, 1941. A.{Mr Adams} F.{Mr Friese} Sidgreaves Esq., Duffield Bank House, Duffield, Nr.Derby. Dear Mr. Sidgreaves, With further reference to your letter Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}12/KW of the 26th ultimo, please note as follows:- (1). DELAY. A certain amount of delay has unfortunately occurred but I contend it has been unavoidable. We have here only 24 Woodworkers, and although out of this comparatively small number 8 have concentrated on Jigs for the Myth Chassis and Body, I have not been able to make the progress I expected or hoped. I fear that some quarters may not appreciate the vast amount of work involved in constructing an experimental Chassis and Body, or the difficulties War conditions impose on us. Not the least of our troubles is labour. In the sixth paragraph of your letter you refer to Mr. Robotham's suggestion for the periodical switching of men from War work to Coachwork, but unfortunately this is not quite so simple as it sounds. Many of our men cannot be persuaded to touch non-War work, and any attempt on my part to insist that they should, would result in a complaint to the local Ministry of Labour Officer. In fact, I have already had cases of men applying to the local Labour Officer for permission to leave our employ on the grounds that they are partly engaged on car work which is not vital to the prosecution of the War. -1- | ||