The Button Factory - Maple Road, Penge

[paduard]

My sister mentioned to me recently that there was a Bruno Paloni in her class at school [whose parents owned the Button Factory] situated as far as we know in Maple Road just opposite Chalin Street where she was born, just prior to moving to Jasmine Grove.

Subsequently there was talk of a fire occurring - does anyone remember the details of this establishment, location etc. and whether our memories are correct.?

[chrisdoran]

From the Beckenham Journal, 23-Dec-1966 p1:-

PENGE FACTORY CLOSES

Button-makers are 'frozen out'

Another piece of old Penge has faded away quietly during the last month. Newly decorated offices at the British Button Industries' factory in Maple Road stand empty, and for the first time in 35 years there is no rush of workers to clock in at the gate in the mornings.

The firm that made buttons to hold up soldiers' trousers and to hold down ground sheets during World War II has been frozen out of business by competition from Hong Kong and Japan — and by our own economic "freeze".

It was two Italians Mr Belometti and Mr Speroni who started the firm in 1931, converting buildings used as a horse and van delivery firm into a factory. Ten Italian workers were brought over to teach production methods: the staff originally numbered 35.

In 1962 production and staff reached a peak, with 150 people employed, but in recent years both have been gradually diminishing.

TRAGIC END

Belometti died in 1935 and a tragic end came to the other founder who with other Italians during World War II had to be interned. He was sent to Canada on the ill-fated Andora Star, which sunk off Ireland with the loss of all on board.

Now the factory at 43 Maple Road is quiet and the production of 300,000,000 buttons a year halted. Mr H C M Barber, the managing director, who took over from Mr H G Byatt, the second head of the firm, during World War II, remains at the firm with a skeleton staff until paperwork and removal of machines is completed.

The second man to start work at the firm was Mr Walter Cromwell of Maple Road, who was working there a year before the contingent of Italian workers arrived. He remembers that he and the first employee, a Mr Jim Sutherland, worked at taking out horse stalls and troughs and supervising the installation of machinery.

He worked a 55 to 60-hour week at one time.

A lot of the firm's employees now mostly redeployed have served long terms. Mr Cromwell recalls that in 1962 there were 10 staff members who had completed 250 years' continuous service between them.

One of the original Italian workers, Mr Peter Lancine, of Mottingham, returned after the war and was one of the five-man team in the automatic drilling department who with their foreman, Mr Cromwell, moved to work for Synthetic Buttons of Peckham on the Monday after leaving the firm.

While Mr Cromwell considers himself very fortunate to be at work again so quickly, just a couple of years short of his retirement age, Mrs Mildred Chapman of Croydon road, who has worked in the packing and sales department of the firm for 30 years, is not sure what she is going to do.

Her only job before going to work for BBI had been for one day at a lighter factory at Elmers End. "It's terrible everything moving out. I don't think I shall stay in the trade" she said sadly, looking round at the empty offices.

2½ years later, the buildings were still derelict and an article in the Beckenham Journal of 20-Jun-1969, p2 reports complaints of fires, rubbish dumped, parties held, buttons scattered on the pavement, and that it was dangerous playground for children. Bromley Council was imposing conditions on the sale of the site for housing that made it unattractive to developers. An expanded version of the above history accompanied the article.

[paduard]

Thanks for that info. Chris. Evidently my sister had got the name wrong. Grateful for your reply and will let her have a copy perhaps when I speak to her next.
Paduard.

[marjimy]

Hi, I searched the web site for information about the button factory at penge where my father James (jim) Hurley worked as a maintenance engineer in around1936, and then we moved to Ightam in Seven Oaks where I'm sure my father set up another small button factory through some Italians, and we lived in a ties house next to the factory. Anyone know anything re this???

[alan wesely]

There seems to be a bit of interest in the old place. I recall the number being 48, Maple Road

My father Joe Wesely worked there for about 25 years until about 1960. He was the tool-maker and ran the machine shop.

He worked a lot of Saturdays and as a lad I went with him. I can recall the layout and how everything worked. I also remember Harry Byatt. He was also the best man at my parents wedding in 1940. I remember Mr Barber and Mr Cromwell but probably never met them. Jack Bashford was a driller and was a family friend.

As a child the workings of the factory were very exciting what with the motors rumbling and belts thrashing about.

If anybody is interested in detail or would like an idea of the factory layout just leave a post and I will reply.

[Vicki]

Aug 31, 2013 1:18:12 GMT 1 chrisdoran said:

From the Beckenham Journal, 23-Dec-1966 p1:-

PENGE FACTORY CLOSES

Button-makers are 'frozen out'

Another piece of old Penge has faded away quietly during the last month. Newly decorated offices at the British Button Industries' factory in Maple Road stand empty, and for the first time in 35 years there is no rush of workers to clock in at the gate in the mornings.

The firm that made buttons to hold up soldiers' trousers and to hold down ground sheets during World War II has been frozen out of business by competition from Hong Kong and Japan — and by our own economic "freeze".

It was two Italians Mr Belometti and Mr Speroni who started the firm in 1931, converting buildings used as a horse and van delivery firm into a factory. Ten Italian workers were brought over to teach production methods: the staff originally numbered 35.

In 1962 production and staff reached a peak, with 150 people employed, but in recent years both have been gradually diminishing.

TRAGIC END

Belometti died in 1935 and a tragic end came to the other founder who with other Italians during World War II had to be interned. He was sent to Canada on the ill-fated Andora Star, which sunk off Ireland with the loss of all on board.

Now the factory at 43 Maple Road is quiet and the production of 300,000,000 buttons a year halted. Mr H C M Barber, the managing director, who took over from Mr H G Byatt, the second head of the firm, during World War II, remains at the firm with a skeleton staff until paperwork and removal of machines is completed.

The second man to start work at the firm was Mr Walter Cromwell of Maple Road, who was working there a year before the contingent of Italian workers arrived. He remembers that he and the first employee, a Mr Jim Sutherland, worked at taking out horse stalls and troughs and supervising the installation of machinery.

He worked a 55 to 60-hour week at one time.

A lot of the firm's employees now mostly redeployed have served long terms. Mr Cromwell recalls that in 1962 there were 10 staff members who had completed 250 years' continuous service between them.

One of the original Italian workers, Mr Peter Lancine, of Mottingham, returned after the war and was one of the five-man team in the automatic drilling department who with their foreman, Mr Cromwell, moved to work for Synthetic Buttons of Peckham on the Monday after leaving the firm.

While Mr Cromwell considers himself very fortunate to be at work again so quickly, just a couple of years short of his retirement age, Mrs Mildred Chapman of Croydon road, who has worked in the packing and sales department of the firm for 30 years, is not sure what she is going to do.

Her only job before going to work for BBI had been for one day at a lighter factory at Elmers End. "It's terrible everything moving out. I don't think I shall stay in the trade" she said sadly, looking round at the empty offices.

2½ years later, the buildings were still derelict and an article in the Beckenham Journal of 20-Jun-1969, p2 reports complaints of fires, rubbish dumped, parties held, buttons scattered on the pavement, and that it was dangerous playground for children. Bromley Council was imposing conditions on the



Hi my nans sister was Bruna piloni and my Nans dad helped run button factory I'd like to no more [e-mail]

[paduard]

My sister Ann went to school with Bruno Paloni (? Or Piloni) and knew her well. They were in the same class together. Bruno was born in England and being very bright won a scholarship to the technical school.

More perhaps to follow.

Paduard

[hazel]

My Dad Vic Young, now aged 90, lived with his parents who owned the newsagents shop at 52 Maple Rd next to the button factory from 1932 - 1945. Dad remembers the button factory opening, with the arrival of the Italian owners & staff to operate it. Also, he remembers Jim Sutheran & Mr Cromwell who worked there. In later years Jim Sutheran worked alongside my Dad at Twinlocks at Elmers End, together with Jim Cromwell, who was a cousin of Mr Cromwell. Dad also remembers Harry Byatt, who was the secretary of the company and who was appointed to manage the company when the Italian personnel were taken into internment.

With regards to the fire mentioned in the above posts, Dad has no recollection of a fire in Maple Road, but they opened another factory at Barcombe Mill in Sussex, employing about 50 and there was a fire there in 1939.

In the Penge Urban District Council elections shortly after WW2, amongst the elected Councillors were Harry Chapman - the button factory carpenter, and the aforesaid Mr Cromwell, and Harry Stander a barber in Maple Rd, Dad believes that Harry Chapman became Chairman of the Council.

[paduard]

Jan 20, 2015 18:02:46 GMT 1 hazel said:

My Dad Vic Young, now aged 90, lived with his parents who owned the newsagents shop at 52 Maple Rd next to the button factory from 1932 - 1945. Dad remembers the button factory opening, with the arrival of the Italian owners & staff to operate it. Also, he remembers Jim Sutheran & Mr Cromwell who worked there. In later years Jim Sutheran worked alongside my Dad at Twinlocks at Elmers End, together with Jim Cromwell, who was a cousin of Mr Cromwell. Dad also remembers Harry Byatt, who was the secretary of the company and who was appointed to manage the company when the Italian personnel were taken into internment.

With regards to the fire mentioned in the above posts, Dad has no recollection of a fire in Maple Road, but they opened another factory at Barcombe Mill in Sussex, employing about 50 and there was a fire there in 1939.

In the Penge Urban District Council elections shortly after WW2, amongst the elected Councillors were Harry Chapman - the button factory carpenter, and the aforesaid Mr Cromwell, and Harry Stander a barber in Maple Rd, Dad believes that Harry Chapman became Chairman of the Council.

Interesting what you say Hazel - particularly regarding a fire not being at Maple Road, but at Barcombe Mill. My sister and I were never sure whether there was a fire in Maple Road, and now your Dad has answered that question.
paduard.

[Historian]

Jan 21, 2015 19:23:31 GMT 1 paduard said:

Jan 20, 2015 18:02:46 GMT 1 hazel said:

My Dad Vic Young, now aged 90, lived with his parents who owned the newsagents shop at 52 Maple Rd next to the button factory from 1932 - 1945. Dad remembers the button factory opening, with the arrival of the Italian owners & staff to operate it. Also, he remembers Jim Sutheran & Mr Cromwell who worked there. In later years Jim Sutheran worked alongside my Dad at Twinlocks at Elmers End, together with Jim Cromwell, who was a cousin of Mr Cromwell. Dad also remembers Harry Byatt, who was the secretary of the company and who was appointed to manage the company when the Italian personnel were taken into internment.

With regards to the fire mentioned in the above posts, Dad has no recollection of a fire in Maple Road, but they opened another factory at Barcombe Mill in Sussex, employing about 50 and there was a fire there in 1939.

In the Penge Urban District Council elections shortly after WW2, amongst the elected Councillors were Harry Chapman - the button factory carpenter, and the aforesaid Mr Cromwell, and Harry Stander a barber in Maple Rd, Dad believes that Harry Chapman became Chairman of the Council.

Interesting what you say Hazel - particularly regarding a fire not being at Maple Road, but at Barcombe Mill. My sister and I were never sure whether there was a fire in Maple Road, and now your Dad has answered that question.
paduard.

[Historian]

There was a fire at Maple Road. If you go to Photo Gallery, Album 3, Maple Rd you will see photos of the fire.

[paduard]

Jan 22, 2015 19:06:16 GMT 1 Historian said:

There was a fire at Maple Road. If you go to Photo Gallery, Album 3, Maple Rd you will see photos of the fire.

Thank you for that link direction Historian; there is an actual picture there of firemen entering the factory.

The only interest for myself outstanding is the question of the Italian owners and the connection with Bruno Paloni [a British child of Italian parentage who definitely wasn't interred)

paduard

[alan wesely]

Jan 20, 2015 18:02:46 GMT 1 hazel said:

My Dad Vic Young, now aged 90, lived with his parents who owned the newsagents shop at 52 Maple Rd next to the button factory from 1932 - 1945. Dad remembers the button factory opening, with the arrival of the Italian owners & staff to operate it. Also, he remembers Jim Sutheran & Mr Cromwell who worked there. In later years Jim Sutheran worked alongside my Dad at Twinlocks at Elmers End, together with Jim Cromwell, who was a cousin of Mr Cromwell. Dad also remembers Harry Byatt, who was the secretary of the company and who was appointed to manage the company when the Italian personnel were taken into internment.

With regards to the fire mentioned in the above posts, Dad has no recollection of a fire in Maple Road, but they opened another factory at Barcombe Mill in Sussex, employing about 50 and there was a fire there in 1939.

In the Penge Urban District Council elections shortly after WW2, amongst the elected Councillors were Harry Chapman - the button factory carpenter, and the aforesaid Mr Cromwell, and Harry Stander a barber in Maple Rd, Dad believes that Harry Chapman became Chairman of the Council.

[alan wesely]

If Harry Byatt was asked to run the company after the italian owners were either dead or interned, who then owned the company and who had the shares after the war?

[The Historian]

Mar 30, 2015 15:54:04 GMT 1 alan wesely said:

Jan 20, 2015 18:02:46 GMT 1 hazel said:

My Dad Vic Young, now aged 90, lived with his parents who owned the newsagents shop at 52 Maple Rd next to the button factory from 1932 - 1945. Dad remembers the button factory opening, with the arrival of the Italian owners & staff to operate it. Also, he remembers Jim Sutheran & Mr Cromwell who worked there. In later years Jim Sutheran worked alongside my Dad at Twinlocks at Elmers End, together with Jim Cromwell, who was a cousin of Mr Cromwell. Dad also remembers Harry Byatt, who was the secretary of the company and who was appointed to manage the company when the Italian personnel were taken into internment.

With regards to the fire mentioned in the above posts, Dad has no recollection of a fire in Maple Road, but they opened another factory at Barcombe Mill in Sussex, employing about 50 and there was a fire there in 1939.

In the Penge Urban District Council elections shortly after WW2, amongst the elected Councillors were Harry Chapman - the button factory carpenter, and the aforesaid Mr Cromwell, and Harry Stander a barber in Maple Rd, Dad believes that Harry Chapman became Chairman of the Council.

If you go to the photo gallery on this site and select gallery 3 then go to Maple Road there are some photos of the Button Factory fire in Maple Road.