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 from Park Ward coachbuilders to Rolls-Royce discussing business challenges and future cooperation after the start of the war.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 117\2\ scan0105 | |
| Date | 20th December 1939 | |
| 1021 DIRECTORS: A F SIDGREAVES C.W.WARD R W HARVEY-BAILEY C.FALCONER F C HONEYMAN W.S.PAGE PARK WARD & CO LTD COACHBUILDERS 473 HIGH ROAD WILLESDEN LONDON N.W.10 TELEPHONE WILLESDEN 2595 (6LINES) TELEGRAMS WARENPAR WILLROAD LONDON OFFICIALLY APPOINTED RETAILERS OF ROLLS ROYCE AND BENTLEY CARS SHOWROOMS: XXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXX LONDON XXX ON A.I.D. APPROVED LIST YOUR REF._______ OUR REF. CWW/BB. 20th December, 1939. W. Robotham, Esq, Messrs. Rolls-Royce, Ltd, DERBY. Dear Mr. Robotham, In reference to your visit yesterday in company with Mr. Evenden, I should like to emphasize that we here in Willesden are in favour of the schemes you have suggested, and will do our utmost to make them a success. It may have appeared to you recently that there has been a lack of interest in coachwork, but I should like to remove these thoughts. The trouble has been that since the War commenced I have been driven off my feet to obtain work to keep this Factory going. My co-Director, Mr. Falconer, was away ill during the first two months of the War, and you can appreciate that even though Mr. Sidgreaves gave instructions for Mr. Honeyman to join me here, none the less it has been very difficult for me, as we have been compelled to reduce our staff, both at the Office and the Showrooms; it was necessary to re-arrange our Works; get approved by the A.I.D. We also had to train Firemen, Ambulance and Decontamination people, etc. However, this has now finished and I shall consequently be able to give much more time to B.V. and other projects, and I think you will find us no less willing and anxious to co-operate than in the past. Yours sincerely, [Signature] | ||