Carpet workers to feature in museum

Work carried out by carpet-makers in Kidderminster during the Second World War is to be featured in the proposed carpet museum planned to be developed at Stourvale Mills.

Carpet making in the town was interrupted between 1939 and 1945 and the company, like many others, turned their labour force to production of items for war and the unsung heroes and heroines of Kidderminster more than played their part.

Looms were converted and the carpet factories turned out a total of 250,000 blankets and 1,000,000 yards of webbing.

After Dunkirk they became among the most efficient ammunition tool rooms in the country working 24 hours a day and employing about 400 people.

But In 1942 the Jerry can went into production made by 200 people, including boys and girls under 18-years-old who welded steel pressings to make the steel fuel containers. It is their work and the old wartime Jerry cans which historians have been trying to locate.

But after an appeal they have found ten old Jerry cans were being offered for display and in the end they settled for a war-marked one dated 1944.

Melvyn Thompson, chairman of the Friends of The Carpet Museum Trust said: "The appeal for a Second World War Jerry can has proved more than fruitful.

Our member Steve Bragginton was the first to respond to our appeal with a 1991 can in good condition. A gentleman in Chaddesley Corbett phoned to say he had four and after inspected the one dated 1944 was selected.

"Another member obtained another dated 1944 and we had further offers, including one which had been painted white."

Kidderminster also became important for producing a vital bolt to connect different sections of American and British Bailey Bridges.