This photograph shows a presentation at the Head Wrightsons Foundry, Thornaby on Tees c1960. Courtesy of Neil Hampton. 
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
This photograph shows a presentation at the Head Wrightsons Foundry, Thornaby on Tees c1960. Courtesy of Neil Hampton.
Can anyone tell me if Tommy Laroche and Walter Laroche are in this picture and if so can they point them out for me? They’re my ancestors and im trying to do my family tree. Thank you
Can’t help with the photo but my Dad was Jim Laroche (mentioned below) He worked at HW for many years. I believe Tommy and Walter were his cousins. If Walter lived in Norton and married to Elsie i remember him from when I was a little girl
Tommy and Walter had a sister called Ellen who was my great grandma
Walter lived in Swale Road opposite to his parents house. He was a keen pigeon fancier racing his pigeons through the Brown Jug club.
Bob Metcalf was a keen cyclist, his son worked in the Pattern Shop. He was the father-in-law of the late Glyn Mathias who worked in the Toolroom in the Machine Shop. Tommy Cox used to run Head Wrightson’s Juniors football team along with Mack Baker, I believe they were fettlers. One of the women who worked in the Foundry was called Maggie Pinnegar.
I can name some of the people in the photograph. I started my apprenticeship in Thornaby Foundry in September 1965 and some were still there then. I recognise Geordie Cox, Geordie looked after the apprentices on the mens core floor, on his left is Neil Hampton, the third on his left is Ted Smith, Ted was in charge of the apprentices in the moulding bay and therefore my boss whilst I was at Thornaby, directly behind Ted wearing glasses is one of the Johnson brothers this is Judd between Ted and Judd is I believe Johnny Kemp. I remember the name LaRoche but I remember big Jim LaRoche nicknamed “rocky”, I worked again with Rocky at Head Wrightsons Haverton Hill. Phyllis was the name of the lady in charge of the womens core floor.
Tommy LaRoche was a slim built chap with dark Brylcreamed hair which was flat to his head. I can remember him being suspended from work but can never remember what happened to him through this. I would say it happened well before the 1960 photo.
I do not recall Tommy LaRoche. It was a lady in charge of the womens core shop when I was there Bob. She is in the picture, top right hand side in front of the three men. The man to her left looking at the photograph was in charge of the main core shop. I remember that he had a good bet on Devon Loch in the 1956 Grand National and the the horse appeared to jump up and slip over only 50 yards from home. Funny how I remember stories like that and cannot put a name to some of the faces.
I worked at HW from 1953-62 and I remember the Core Floor with its entrance from a single door up a few steps in Trafalgar Street. At that time Tommy LaRoche was in charge of the women working in the Core Shop. His brother Walter worked on the furnaces. Is Tommy in this photo?
Bob Metcalfe (Moulder) on left of picture with hands behind his back. Jimmy Simpson (Slinger) to his right wearing beret and glasses. Mr Cox bottom right hand corner (Core maker). I am stood to the left of him (Sand Mill). I remember 90% of the faces but would like to hear anyone come up with some of the names. All the ladies in the photograph were core makers and we had two lady crane drivers. At that time Jack Carter and Bob Verill were foremen, neither are in the picture.